I buy lots of training birds. I like quail for new dogs, they sit a little tighter.
I used to get wings (usually whatever bird I wanted to hunt for)
& nail them to a short 2x4
& show it to them, get them to play, give them the sent
& then hide them
they pick it up pretty damn quick
Please make sure to bring water for your dog on the hunts too...
They are hard running/working fouls, running their asses off
& get thirsty as all get out, they will go all-day if you let them
& they will suffer that night
if not hydrated right...
Just don't have them drink that stagnant water on the ground,
now
if it's fresh &/or flowing water, it's OK...
my 1st pheasant club, at Bethel Island way back when,
(a lot of wild Chinese Pheasant or their pen-raised birds)
they'd give me a free bird to train the puppy on
show it to the dog, get it (dog/pup) interested 1st
hold it by the feet spin it, swing it in big circles fast with your arm
while having someone distract the dog/pup
go release it in some corn checks (corn trimmings or a bush),
It'd sit forever, (you or the dog could walk right up on it)
the dog would actually track it & pounce (flush it)
or 'sort of point'
Lab/Retriever,
don't really point they just 'get birdy'
tail up &/or going in circles, head down, ears up & or back,
sprung & ready to pounce, "get it/flush it"
Good Boy !!
A few on my labs would run them down, if they didn't fly
dogs are fast critters, you'd be surprised how fast
(wild birds are a lot tougher though)
some hens (of many bird species) will do that a lot,
I'd let them go, call the dog off (they need to learn that 1st command)
if they were a rooster
when they bring them back all proud, then I'd throw them up in the air
they'd usually fly off & I'd blast them
(some didn't, or wouldn't fly off, too traumatized, be part of my limit)
if they did fly off, the dog would retrieve them again, all happy
Good dog !!!
