30338
WKR
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2013
- Messages
- 1,889
So you have a young pup, 8-10 weeks old or a few weeks older. Now is the time for some important imprinting on those little brains. You'll need:
Check cord, 15-20' long
Grassy area preferably uncut and shin high, or clumpy grass
Small wire cage or bird launcher(I used wire, cut it myself, zip tied it to create a basket)
Buy 3 pigeons, cheapest you can find
So you have your little skull full of mush in the kennel in the car or garage. Take a pigeon and a bird launcher, or a cage like mine with 20' string attached. Get a wind read and plan your approach before you place your pigeon. Put the pigeon in the launcher or cage. If cage, put a flat rock on it to keep pigeon from getting loose. Stretch string if using my method downwind of bird.
Go back and get pup who did't see any of that taking place. Get them on the check cord and start walking back and forth down wind of the pigeon. The first time they smell the bird, they may or may not lock up. As soon as you see them point, grab the string and wait. In about 10-15 seconds they'll jump towards the cage and you flip bird out. Pup watches bird noisily fly away and perhaps considers chasing. But at this age they are so slow they give up.
Immediately repeat same process. This time they will point for 45 seconds to a minute. Then when they move a foot or jump towards cage, off goes the pigeon. Their thinking, what the heck those things are fast.
Immediately repeat same process. This time they may go as long as two minutes. When they move towards the cage, off goes the bird again. End of lesson.
Make sure the cage is hidden and they can't see it. Change locations each time as well. If a guy can repeat this drill about 2 weeks later it helps as well.
Doing this and basic training steps, you'll be on the way to a great bird dog.
Check cord, 15-20' long
Grassy area preferably uncut and shin high, or clumpy grass
Small wire cage or bird launcher(I used wire, cut it myself, zip tied it to create a basket)
Buy 3 pigeons, cheapest you can find
So you have your little skull full of mush in the kennel in the car or garage. Take a pigeon and a bird launcher, or a cage like mine with 20' string attached. Get a wind read and plan your approach before you place your pigeon. Put the pigeon in the launcher or cage. If cage, put a flat rock on it to keep pigeon from getting loose. Stretch string if using my method downwind of bird.
Go back and get pup who did't see any of that taking place. Get them on the check cord and start walking back and forth down wind of the pigeon. The first time they smell the bird, they may or may not lock up. As soon as you see them point, grab the string and wait. In about 10-15 seconds they'll jump towards the cage and you flip bird out. Pup watches bird noisily fly away and perhaps considers chasing. But at this age they are so slow they give up.
Immediately repeat same process. This time they will point for 45 seconds to a minute. Then when they move a foot or jump towards cage, off goes the pigeon. Their thinking, what the heck those things are fast.
Immediately repeat same process. This time they may go as long as two minutes. When they move towards the cage, off goes the bird again. End of lesson.
Make sure the cage is hidden and they can't see it. Change locations each time as well. If a guy can repeat this drill about 2 weeks later it helps as well.
Doing this and basic training steps, you'll be on the way to a great bird dog.