Shooting first birds for pup..few questions

[gdog]

My pup is doing really well pointing birds (pigeons in launcher). This past weekend I introduced her to a blank pistol. Had her point bird in launcher, waited till she broke or till I flushed bird, let her chase and then fired blank pistol while she was chasing. She looked up the first time for a split second but didn't miss a beat chasing the bird. Did it 4x's total for Sat. & Sun.. After the first shot, she never looked up or payed any attention to the pistol. First shot was at a distance with the last and closest being 30yrds off. Planning to let her chase a few more birds and use the pistol, then step up to my 20ga. Do the same in first shot with shotgun will be at a distance and then work closer. She is a bird nut and tears after them when launched, so I really don't think I will have any issues, but I am taking my time with this due to all I have read here.

Once she shows no ill effect of the gun, I was going to move on to shooting a few birds for her(?) Want to make sure I am doing this in correct order. I am basically following the method shown in the Perfect Start video.

She retrieves "ok" but can be a bit possesive and not bring to hand. Should I be shooting birds for her if she is not sound with the retrieve or not worry about that at this point? She hasn't done much with retrieving real birds. She has no problem with picking them up, its more of an issue of not wanting to bring them back.

Do I need to worry about the retrieve at all for the first birds shot for her?

Thanks!

[GsPJustin]

For the retrieve do not worry if she brings it back or not, JUST HAVE FUN WITH IT.

I would not let it become a problem. Go back and work on it some more after or before you shoot the bird, on a CC.

[Greg Jennings]

Hold old is your pup?

What are you planning to do with your dog? Field trials, hunt tests, NAVHDA, NSTRA, just hunt?

Related to the previous, what level of staunchness are you aiming for?

Best regards,

[gdog]

Greg,

My pup is 7 months old. She is for hunting. This is my first pointing dog and I am just learning of the different levels of stauchness. Read a bunch of posts last night in regards to steady to wing, steady to wing and flush and hold to flush. Trying to figure it all out.

[pear]

For the retrieve do not worry if she brings it back or not, JUST HAVE FUN WITH IT.

Not sure I "totally" agree with this. If the retrieve is not attempted, at this age I wouldn't be concern. However if the dog is attempting the retrieve, I wouldn't let the dog play keep-away, or develope bad habits. It's much easier to correct early than break bad habits that are well formed. This just my thoughts on the matter. ..."pear"

[gdog]

My hunch is that she is going to go get the bird, but she will probably play with it and not bring it back.

I am going to have her on cc, so I can assist her with the retrieve if she needs encouragement.

I have a few frozen quail. Would it be smart to play retrieve with the quail a bit prior to shooting birds over her, so she gets use to the bird in her mouth?

Just a newbie trying to figure this out.....

Thanks!

[GsPJustin]

Not sure I "totally" agree with this. If the retrieve is not attempted, at this age I wouldn't be concern. However if the dog is attempting the retrieve, I wouldn't let the dog play keep-away, or develope bad habits.

I meant more like if she picks it up and drops it, picks it up and drops it, then just runs away without the bird. Thats what mine did. Now hes doesnt mind picking it up, he just doesnt like to hold it for very long.

I think your best bet would be to kill a bird, and play with that, because frozen birds and dead birds are 2 WAY different feels and smells.

[catfishsteve]

Don't worry so much about the pup retrieving the first bird you shoot flawlessly.

Bring her in and let her point the bird. Walk out in front of her. If she holds, flush the bird and kill it out in front of her. As she goes for the fallen bird, you should turn and walk away. Don't call her. Don't even look at her.

The pup will want to please you. So say nothing and just keep walking away slowly like you don't even care. She'll go to the bird, pick it up and look for you immediately. If she's half a dog, she'll try to follow you trying to bring that bird to you and get your attention with this new thing. Only when she's on her way to you on a dead run should you turn and get down and praise her. It doesn't matter what she does at this point. If she brings it great, praise her and move on. I'd just hang it up for the day if it were me at that point.

Whatever you do, don't screw up the fact that she's pointing well and rushed to the fallen bird by trying to make a big deal out of her bringing it right to you. There's plenty of time for that later.

On the other hand, don't overdo the shot bird thing either. If she's pointing and holding and letting you walk in and flush but doddling around or running of with the bird after the shot then stop shooting birds for her. Stay home and work on her retrieving.

Sounds like you have a great start with this dog, well done!

Just remember, too many guys try to fix things like retrieving and not coming when called by standing around watching how pretty their dog looks pointing a pigeon in a launcher each training session.

Accomplish your lesson. Then move on to fix a weakness.

You might start with a dummy or a frozen quail a little bit in a very confined area to work on her retrieving a bit before you shoot a bird for her. Couldn't hurt.

[gdog]

Thanks for the feedback. Worked with her today on retrieving and she was doing well. Would bring the dummy back and usually drop it near/next to me, with a few to hand. Going to keep working on that for another week or so before shooting any birds yet. Figured it can't hurt.