bird proofing/desensitization?

[h&t]

Do you have an experience with bird desensitization?
I mean whoa a dog and letting birds walk in front or taking a dog to bird pen.

How is it done?
Is there any risk of causing 'blinking' or any other type of game avoidance..?

As a background, I am training 2 yo continental pointing dog (SM) for NAVHDA UT.

[Sharon]

Could you explain further what you mean?
Why would you want to desensitization a bird dog to birds?
I must be mis understanding something.

[h&t]

Sharon, it's usually called proofing (sp?), I think, and I know you have seen it before.
Fully broke dog will stand while pigeon is walking between its feet.
Bad choice of words on my part

[Vonzeppelinkennels]

Correct terms would be broke!!

[Doc E]

As I mentioned on a different forum :
"Personally, I wouldn't call it "desensitizing".
I know a very famous trainer (of PLs) who "proofs" them by taking them into a bird pen. As soon as the dog goes on point, she commands "whoa" and lets the birds run around all over and under and on the dog. If the dog remains motionless, the dog is 'proofed' but certainly not desensitized".

[cmc274]

Train with enough pen raised birds looking for a reason to die and you'll proof your dog. Plant a couple of coveys. Lightly dizzy some birds and put a circle of feed around them, should keep them in the area.

[Wildweeds]

+1,with enough repetition of the same thing in different scenarios with the same end result..................... the dog is broke and will stand until told otherwise.Done correctly the dog wants to do it on it's own........................ Done incorrectly and the dog submits to obediance and potential correction,dogs that perform with the latter training are not as stylish,you need to watch the dog,if the dog drops it's tail or begins ticking or flagging................. it's been intimidated to stand still.Body language tells alot of untold stories.

Correct terms would be broke!!

[gonehuntin']

First, make sure the dog is steady with bumpers, dead birds, and clip wing birds you throw.

Once the dog is totally steady to these, you can start throwing birds around and at him. Be ready for a fast correction.