Got to work with an english pointer that my friend had recently acquired this week. We wanted to see her style and training progress and generally determine her overall value as a hunting companion. We planted some valley quail for her and proceeded to hunt her as realistically as possible. The quail had moved from the rabbit brush where they were planted. She had her first point on the original location, I kicked the bush to be sure and then tapped her to relocate. She found them about 20 yards over the rise and nailed an intense point. I moved around front and flushed the quail for her. She held solid until the flush and then I shot and… missed! Oh well, we tried her on a retrieve later and she did great. We both decided she was ready for a season of hunting wild birds. Nothing can teach a young bird dog more efficiently that the birds themselves. If the proper training and foundation is there, then the more days afield hunting, the smarter your gun dog will become.