Champ training day

[bauerline]

I picked up some quail today to do some training with Champ who is almost 4 months old. It was a family affair and here some of my helpers:

Good help is hard to find.

He likes his animals.

I put some quail out and just let Champ go to see how he would do. It was very windy and he ran past some of the birds but he did a good job when he was working his way back and had some good points.

At one point he was running up towards one of the quail and I could see when he hit the scent and just stopped. I was very pleased with him today.

 

[bauerline]

After we were done, I went home and had to get some things done. After a few hours I took all three dogs down so Nittany and Blitz could get some running in. I was hoping we could find some of the quail from earlier in the day. The wind was still blowing pretty good and when we finally worked around to an area I saw one of the quail land I saw Nittany and Blitz.

I decided I would just let Champ run around and see what he did. He didn't react to Nittany and Blitz on point and at first he just walked around like nothing was going on. Then he hit some scent.

They all held well and allowed me to get some good pictures.

The temptation was a little too much for Champ and he moved in closer.

I moved in to flush the bird and it was a good experience for Champ and I was happy with his work. We moved on and Nittany ended up with another point. This time Champ didn't mess around and when he got to the area he went on point.

Now I'm really happy with Champ!

 

[bauerline]

I even got a good picture of the quail.

When we were leaving, Champ thought he could walk on the grass at the edge of the thawing pond. The cold water proved he was wrong.

I could only get a picture of him coming out but he didn't seem to mind too much. Next thing is to do the cap gun and birds together. Champ is progressing well.

 

[treedaddy]

Looks like fun times. Do you use a call back pen for the quail?

 

[bauerline]

I do have a johnny house but it is empty now. I just bought a few birds for the day. One was still around on Monday that went well.

 

[AtTheMurph]

The pup reminds me of my old Vizsla. Same tail position, same head. Very cool.

 

[bauerline]

I have more recent pictures of him on the PA forum. Champ is coming along nicely. Thanks for the comment.

 

[bauerline]

I've been updating Champ's progress on the PA forum but I thought I would add some here.

Champ has been doing well with finding and pointing birds and his retrieving skills are coming along. He is loving the water and likes to retrieve the dead fowl trainer. So, today I thought I would shoot a bird over a pond to see how he would handle it. He did great and went in right after the bird and brought it out. I was very happy with his work.

The point

The water

The retrieve

Champ continues to impress me in the field. He's doing well at home, too.