I can't wait
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 7:02 pm
I purchased a new pup this year. Did something kinda different.
Most of my pups are bred with field trials in mind, so they are bred in the first part of the year, January through about March or April. This puts them at 6-8 months old in the fall, and gives me all summer to do yardwork . Oct/Nov is when I like to start introducing them to birds and such.
The fall also gives me an opportunity, if I time it right, to get the youngster into some woodcock during the fall flight...AFTER I have gotten the dog started on birds in launchers and have the dog understanding that it is supposed to stop and stand.
This year I could not nail down a pup with the breeding I wanted, in the first part of the year. I found out about a breeding that got me excited, but they were going to be late summer pups. Turns out the litter dropped at the end of July, so the pup I got is only 12 weeks old now. I picked a female.
I am just really starting on the yardwork and am actually pushing it a little bit. I generally do not start heel/whoa drills until about 16 weeks, but she has had the pigging string on her already this week. She is not a fan of the heel/whoa drill at this time, but she is getting used to it. She is recalling pretty well in the yard(she really likes treats, and bribery works for me).
She runs fine dragging a thin checkcord. She will occasionally take the cord in her mouth and take herself for a walk. I have had a few leash carrying dogs and they have all been pretty smart and quick on the uptake, so I'm hopeful there. I actually have an assistant with the lead work. My male dog has taken a liking to the pup and plays with her, even though she bites. He will grab the checkcord and drag her around while i am watching the show. He is actually quite a bit rougher on the pup than i would be...but she takes it from him. It is hilarious to watch. After he is done with her, she leads for me really well.
But I digress.
I cannot wait for the first woodcock flight to come through. I have showed the pup exactly one pigeon so far, and she wanted to chase it...bad. If I cannot hook up with a woodcock flight, I'll just have to plant a bunch of quail at the club and let her have at it... probably after Thanksgiving. I don't think she will be ready for the launcher work at five months old, but I may do some stop to flush drills instead. I'll have to see how she progresses.
Can't wait.
Anyone else out there with a youngster who will go through their first bird season this year? What is your plan?
RayG
Most of my pups are bred with field trials in mind, so they are bred in the first part of the year, January through about March or April. This puts them at 6-8 months old in the fall, and gives me all summer to do yardwork . Oct/Nov is when I like to start introducing them to birds and such.
The fall also gives me an opportunity, if I time it right, to get the youngster into some woodcock during the fall flight...AFTER I have gotten the dog started on birds in launchers and have the dog understanding that it is supposed to stop and stand.
This year I could not nail down a pup with the breeding I wanted, in the first part of the year. I found out about a breeding that got me excited, but they were going to be late summer pups. Turns out the litter dropped at the end of July, so the pup I got is only 12 weeks old now. I picked a female.
I am just really starting on the yardwork and am actually pushing it a little bit. I generally do not start heel/whoa drills until about 16 weeks, but she has had the pigging string on her already this week. She is not a fan of the heel/whoa drill at this time, but she is getting used to it. She is recalling pretty well in the yard(she really likes treats, and bribery works for me).
She runs fine dragging a thin checkcord. She will occasionally take the cord in her mouth and take herself for a walk. I have had a few leash carrying dogs and they have all been pretty smart and quick on the uptake, so I'm hopeful there. I actually have an assistant with the lead work. My male dog has taken a liking to the pup and plays with her, even though she bites. He will grab the checkcord and drag her around while i am watching the show. He is actually quite a bit rougher on the pup than i would be...but she takes it from him. It is hilarious to watch. After he is done with her, she leads for me really well.
But I digress.
I cannot wait for the first woodcock flight to come through. I have showed the pup exactly one pigeon so far, and she wanted to chase it...bad. If I cannot hook up with a woodcock flight, I'll just have to plant a bunch of quail at the club and let her have at it... probably after Thanksgiving. I don't think she will be ready for the launcher work at five months old, but I may do some stop to flush drills instead. I'll have to see how she progresses.
Can't wait.
Anyone else out there with a youngster who will go through their first bird season this year? What is your plan?
RayG
Broke dog stakes are what count.