Did I create a bad habit today?

D

duckn66

Well-known member
I will have to tell you that I am by no means a bird dog trainer. My back ground is retrievers, specifically waterfowl dogs.

So I get this EP that's a started dog. Not steady to wing and shot. Has been shot over but not for a while. So, I wanted to make sure he was Ok with the gun so I get some pigeons and have the wife hold him and I go off about 30 yrds and throw up the pigeon and shoot it. Dog goes out to the first one picks it up and retrieves it to hand. Second bird I shoot and it falls a ways off. Dog goes out to hunt it and ends up pointing it then I guess figures it's dead and picks it up and brings it to hand.

Next I put one to sleep and plant it. Dog goes down and points it. I try to kick it up but the dang thing just doesn't want to fly and the dog gets away from the wife and catches it on the ground. Second one I plant the same way. Dog points it but when I go in to kick it up same thing, dog catches it. I get it away from the dog and just let it fly. Dog chases for about 10 yrds or so and gives up.

At this point I quit because I don't want to start bad habits. I'm hoping that on wild birds he won't go busting coveys now before I get to him!

I suppose I should invest in a remote bird launcher to cure the non flying bird syndrome.

Do you think that by catching two birds on the ground he is now in a bad habit or will he be Ok on wild birds. He was holding a point but the trying to get the bird to fly was getting him excited causing him to lunge in on it. I'm thinking wild birds are going to fly most likely when I get to the dog and he may be ok.

What is your opinion?
 
I wouldn't worry too much about it, most dogs will break point at one time or another. Try having someone hold a long check cord to keep the dog from actually getting the bird and see if that helps.
 
If he is chasing but not able to catch the bird I'll bet he is going to be fine. A refresher course on WHOA might be in order.

But I think you have a serious problem if he is chasing the bird and then getting a reward in the form of catching the bird ( if say the bird is weak flyer ). That completes the learning circle for the dog. He breaks point and chases; he gets the reward when he catches the bird therefore breaking point and chasing is a good thing in his mind.
 
Never caught the birds in flight. Just broke point diving in and getting two of them. Of course he was excited when I kicked at the bird to try to get the darn thing to fly.

Maybe I was overly concerned. At least I hope so.

He will whoa no problem. But I didn't whao him on the bird because I didn't want to stifle his enthusiasm.
 
dog gun time said:
if he is chasing but not able to catch the bird i'll bet he is going to be fine. A refresher course on whoa might be in order.

But i think you have a serious problem if he is chasing the bird and then getting a reward in the form of catching the bird ( if say the bird is weak flyer ). That completes the learning circle for the dog. He breaks point and chases; he gets the reward when he catches the bird therefore breaking point and chasing is a good thing in his mind.
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exactly. Good way to avoid this is to get a trap or launcher and you have control of the bird.
 
Uncle Buck said:
exactly. Good way to avoid this is to get a trap or launcher and you have control of the bird.
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:thumbsup:

Their natural instinct is to go in with you. You have to train them to be steady if that's what you want. Personally, it doesn't bother me, but most dog guys insist on steadiness. As long as the dog is holding point until you get there, then you can decide for yourself how polished you want him to be.

I trust my dogs to hold point 200+ yards away, but they go in with me for the flush when I get there. To each their own...:cheers:
 
Toad thats more than likely what I will want as well. I just want to make sure he holds the point until I get there.
 
Pointing bird dogs are smarter than we think. First he was doing what he thought you wanted. Secondly, belief it or not, bird dogs know the difference between pigeons and "real" birds, so I would get to real birds from now on. Third the dog smells your scent on the bird, wouldn't on a wild bird, and assumes it was crippled, and some new retreiving excercise. I have see it before, hunter and dogs turnout fine. So I would not grieve to bad, but I would not do it again! The good news, he retrieved, he isn't gunshy, and he points, with that trifecta a good bird dog with some experience is certain. Go hunting, and exposure to wild birds solves all problems. If he busts a bird, and the result is not a bird in the bag, because he got to close, he won't make that mistake again. I you can approach a pointed bird directly in site of the dog, it encourages a staunch point. sometimes approaching from behind, it causes creeping on point.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone! They have been more than helpful and defiantely reassuring to me. I won't be doing anything but wild birds from here on out. Main thing I wanted to make sure of is that he was still good with the gun since it had been a while since he had been shot over. The gun shot seemed to get him all excited and increased him wanting to hunt!
 
I would do nothing further and just hunt the dog when the season starts. The dog has it. Don't mess it up with artificial circumstances surrounding this pigeon business.
 
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