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My 1 year old lab retrieves bumpers, pigeons, and just about anything with great enthusiasm. I've had her out for her first two pheasant hunts and while she hunts and flushes like dog possessed she seems wary of the size of the pheasant and it take her few minutes to work it into her mouth and bring it. I don't think she likes picking up such a massive mouthful of feathers. Is this a normal part of training? How can I help her get better? Thanks.
Is the dog FF ?
My dog dropped a massive pheasant today on her return. They can be quite large, but really nothing in comparison to most geese you will shoot. If you can get one down, toss it out as a simple single retrieve and see if you can get her comfortable with it before you go back out in the field.
[QUOTE=sportnclays;1042266]Is the dog FF ?[/QUOTE
She's not forced fetched. But she will retrieve just about anything.
In the field I actually did have her heal and tossed the pheasant out for her to retrieve like I would a single bumper...and she did better. I kept a pheasant in the freezer intact to practice in the future.
Pheasants have heavy feathering and loose skin, a challenge to pickup sometimes. After it has cooled down or been frozen it will be easier to pick up or after your dog has retrieved 50 or more it will no longer be an issue.Quote:
Originally Posted by tuckerdutch
Just go pheasant hunting more and don't worry about it.
Thanks...im totally new at this but am already completely addicted. I can't say enough about Richard Wolters books on gundog training I found at the library. I think they were written before the advent of the e collar. Each chapter seemed to unlock another skill my dog possessed. I'd read something and think,."oh, this dog will never get this" but look and behold she'd perform as described.
Well Good for You!
Now your journey begins!!
It will be very interesting for you I am sure..
It will be know time before that dog a yours picks up birds like no tomorrow..
Good luck sir!
Gooser
Pheasants have really different feathers than ducks. They come off easily. My Toller retrieved about 50 pheasants at a hunt yesterday and he spent a lot of time spitting out feathers.
There are a couple of problems that pheasants present. First of all a dog's experience with a feisty cockbird may make him reluctant to immediately pick up. I have seen this happen even with dogs that have some experience. Secondly, a dog may stop to adjust its hold on a bird, especially one that is still quivering. Third, many dogs don't like pheasant feathers in their mouth and this shows up in their pickup. Are you shooting hens?
My approach would be patience, give the dog experience, and force fetch.