HI guys, I have a 3 year old Pudelpointer, first versatile dog I've owned. I was very impressed with her first 2 years hunting pheasants and how she would hold her point naturally. I was involved with NAVDHA the first year so we worked on various drills, the 2nd year she was just natural to it.
This pheasant season has been frustrating with her, albeit I've only been out 4-5 times, so perhaps shes still knocking the rust off. She'll get birdy on some fresh scent, do some half assed points until she figures out where the bird is, creep alittle closer, hold point, gets antsy, and creeps in closer until she pushes the bird for flush.
This has happened mostly on hens, but last weekend she did ran down a running rooster where she pointed for a few seconds and then she pushed them, we never shot. I became frustrated with her performance and I'm also trying to get my son his first shots at a pheasant. I threw my hands up in the air and said, "well, I guess shes turning into a flusher" On those birds, to help correct her, I did bring her back to where she first scented them, tell her to "whoa" while I walk up front, in which she holds until I release.
Not sure if its the dry conditions, need more bird contact, etc or I need to start over with a check cord like shes 8 months old.
As far as grouse goes, thats a whole different ball game, I've been told from others that they just need a lot of wild bird contact to get used to grouse. I can only think of one time when she pointed at a grouse, otherwise she creeps in too close.
This pheasant season has been frustrating with her, albeit I've only been out 4-5 times, so perhaps shes still knocking the rust off. She'll get birdy on some fresh scent, do some half assed points until she figures out where the bird is, creep alittle closer, hold point, gets antsy, and creeps in closer until she pushes the bird for flush.
This has happened mostly on hens, but last weekend she did ran down a running rooster where she pointed for a few seconds and then she pushed them, we never shot. I became frustrated with her performance and I'm also trying to get my son his first shots at a pheasant. I threw my hands up in the air and said, "well, I guess shes turning into a flusher" On those birds, to help correct her, I did bring her back to where she first scented them, tell her to "whoa" while I walk up front, in which she holds until I release.
Not sure if its the dry conditions, need more bird contact, etc or I need to start over with a check cord like shes 8 months old.
As far as grouse goes, thats a whole different ball game, I've been told from others that they just need a lot of wild bird contact to get used to grouse. I can only think of one time when she pointed at a grouse, otherwise she creeps in too close.