Champ training day
- Thread starter bauerline
- Start date
bauerline
Well-known member
I picked up some birds on Friday evening so I could get out early on Saturday before baseball started for the boys. There were some good signs driving to the fields.
The rooster had 2 hens with him.
I wanted to work to work Champ with Nittany and Blitz to see how Champ would do. Scenting conditions were not the best and the dogs ran by the first bird. They did find the other two but it was Blitz on one and Nittany on the other. I was able to bring Champ in to do some backing with Nittany. I'm not sure if it registered with him but its a start. Blitz's bird didn't wait for me to bring Champ in. I then put a chukar out to see how shooting over all 3 would go. Things went pretty well and when Champ stopped playing around he did back Blitz.
The morning ended well and I saw the old rooter up the road on the way home.
I'll be getting a good number of quail to keep over the spring months so I can work Champ on a more regular basis. Things are going well for him.
I did make sure to stay away from any areas that may hold nesting birds while working the dogs. Nittany and Blitz will now get a break to make sure we don't disturb any nesting animals.
The rooster had 2 hens with him.
I wanted to work to work Champ with Nittany and Blitz to see how Champ would do. Scenting conditions were not the best and the dogs ran by the first bird. They did find the other two but it was Blitz on one and Nittany on the other. I was able to bring Champ in to do some backing with Nittany. I'm not sure if it registered with him but its a start. Blitz's bird didn't wait for me to bring Champ in. I then put a chukar out to see how shooting over all 3 would go. Things went pretty well and when Champ stopped playing around he did back Blitz.
The morning ended well and I saw the old rooter up the road on the way home.
I'll be getting a good number of quail to keep over the spring months so I can work Champ on a more regular basis. Things are going well for him.
I did make sure to stay away from any areas that may hold nesting birds while working the dogs. Nittany and Blitz will now get a break to make sure we don't disturb any nesting animals.
HollowWatcher
Member
I hope it wasn't to warm in the morning in your area. I really like the picture of all of them together!
bauerline
Well-known member
It is cool out and I have a supply of birds so I took all three dogs to work on some birds. I usually don't run them this time of year but I decided to take them out but keep them out of the fields and woods. They were excited to get out.
I didn't have too much trouble keeping them on the mowed paths:
The three don't mind sharing:
Blitz pointed the first bird and Nittany backed him. I was able whoa Champ for a back and they all held well for some pictures.
Champ:
Nittany
Blitz:
I didn't have too much trouble keeping them on the mowed paths:
The three don't mind sharing:
Blitz pointed the first bird and Nittany backed him. I was able whoa Champ for a back and they all held well for some pictures.
Champ:
Nittany
Blitz:
bauerline
Well-known member
All three again:
The dogs moved on and Blitz found the bird again and Champ was able to back along with Nittany.
After this the wheels fell of a little. For whatever reason Blitz decided to break point and go after the bird. Nittany and Champ followed and then I had to correct all three and then flush the bird. But it was still good to be out. From here on out it will be only Champ to work birds for a while.
The dogs moved on and Blitz found the bird again and Champ was able to back along with Nittany.
After this the wheels fell of a little. For whatever reason Blitz decided to break point and go after the bird. Nittany and Champ followed and then I had to correct all three and then flush the bird. But it was still good to be out. From here on out it will be only Champ to work birds for a while.
HollowWatcher
Member
It was a good day to be out, sometimes I think they just want to have fun!
Crossing shot
New member
Getting difficult to pick out the pup. Looks like a great team.
bauerline
Well-known member
Thanks for the comments. I took Champ out for a short romp on Monday without the other dogs. He was able to work some ground scent before pointing a holdover rooster from last year. After that, he found a quail left over from Sunday. Champ did a great job of holding point while the quail was running around.
HollowWatcher
Member
:coolpics:
bauerline
Well-known member
Most of it is natural, I'd say 90% of it. I just try not to mess him up with exposure to the gun and birds. I think most of what the dogs do is natural and just try to set them up for success. After that, get lots of bird contacts. I've had my dogs make some great retrieves, even from the water and it is not because of me.
bauerline
Well-known member
Not much going on so I figured I would post some more pictures from working Champ on Friday. I put two quail out but I did not plant them hard. I wanted to give them a chance to walk around and see how Champ would handle moving birds. He had a point in an area that did have a bird:
The bird wasn't there but Champ started to work some ground scent. Here is a short video of him working.
The bird was on the other side of the briars.
He did work some scent in the woods but I didn't have boots on and called him off (which I need to work on).
The bird wasn't there but Champ started to work some ground scent. Here is a short video of him working.
The bird was on the other side of the briars.
He did work some scent in the woods but I didn't have boots on and called him off (which I need to work on).