Using Pigeons for Training Dogs

As most hunting seasons are coming to a close, I am getting my pigeons ready for their training season. During the Spring and Summer I often use pigeons in my bird dog training drills. Pigeons are cheap to aquire, easy to feed and house, and they breed like rabbits. My small flock of pigeons doubled last year with all the new squabs that were born. If you can provide ample nesting space and good nesting materials, they will keep you stocked with fresh pigeons for dog training year round. I like to use homing pigeons so that I can release them for training and re-use them the next time. They simply fly back to the coop and usually beat me home from the training grounds.

When you are working with a dog on gun-fire and holding steady to shot it sometimes becomes necessary to shoot one or two pigeons. I usually pick the old birds that are on their way out the door anyway. Seems a little harsh but you can only do so much training without shooting a bird. Plus, most dogs view the shot and retrieve as their reward for a good point and hold. They love to get their mouth around those feathered friends. I have a neighbor who raises roller pigeons and he sells me his worst rollers for cheap. I don't mind if they don't happen to roll very well, they still fly and home nicely.