Training with Live Birds

The Greatland Chapter held a training session as a natural progression from the three earlier sessions in which we introduced the "fetch" command, demonstrated techniques for teaching pups to "whoa", practiced heeling while carrying a buck on and off the training table, and worked on complying with the "out" command. Here, Pete Nelson works with "Sadie" to accustom her to fetching a feathered buck.

 

Using a remote launcher in an open field and cycling the dogs through scent detection, approaching the bird, and steadying on point. At this stage of training, the dogs are handled (lifted) off the point without allowing contact with the bird or shooting over the dogs.

Part of the syllabus was an introduction to remote launchers, including loading, placement and controlling dogs during the launch. Using a harness and tether on the pigeon allows cycle the bird through the launcher multiple times without injuring or losing the bird.

	Steady to flush, watching the pigeon on the rise from a launcher.
		"Bramble", an 9-month old Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, watching a pigeon being retrieved and reloaded during his first day in the field with live birds.

Buck steadying "Jenny" on point.

These dogs earned a few style points, demonstrating their natural ability.

Buck Kuhn is using an English lead with "Jenny" while they wait their turn to work one of the two loaded launchers. Robert and "Taig" are next in line.

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