Intro to live and shot birds

[4geese]

I have a 6 month old yml that I was introducing to live and shot birds this morning. When we shot a thrown duck, the duck got hit hard. My dog raced out and began licking it and would not bring it back. When thrown in water he did great. He has done well on both frozen and refrigerated ducks. Do you think that the duck oozing blood had something to do with this? He has not had formal obediance or been force fetched. Should I stop using live birds until the obediance is done? Does anyone know where I can pigeons near Richmond VA? Thanks for your help.

Rich

[JeffLusk]

think of it this way..

you crack open your favorite beer and its dripping on your hands, down the can, and simply pouring out.. Are you going to let it go to waste, or are you going to say Mmmm... and lick it up??

[Dick Jennings]

Rich,

Nothing unusual about what your dog did. Basically he was looking at fresh "duck burger", or duck beer as suggested by lillusk3. Without FF, he's more likely to take a taste of a torn up bird. Try to give him birds that are not "hammered". Put him on a long lead, call him and reel him in as soon as he goes to pick the bird up. At 6 months of age it won't be long until he gets his adult teeth and you can start FF. At this point you can be sparing with the real birds. Bumpers are fine. Keep up the OB. At that age, I like to start every training session with 5-10 min. of OB. Good luck.

[Jay Dufour]

Nothing unusual again.We have a litter (6 weeks) right now.I take them out alone and throw frozen doves,quail,and teal for them to retrieve.Once a day they get the shackled live mallard with the beak taped shut.Thats the highlight of thier day.They figure out a way to get it back to me.I started them on the bumper boy bumper yesterday,and by next week they will be getting the launcher thrown dummy.Mind you that they have been watching the big dogs work with gunshots and such from thier puppy yard.After seven or eight weeks old I will use mostly bumpers,with birds once or twice a week.I want that duck to be special. I have been using the duck as a memory bird,with the teal as the go bird for doubles.Humans are the ones that set limitations on these fine retrievers....its unreal what they can do if we let em.best of luck with your pup!

[4geese]

Thank you all for the responses. It was the one day I left the long lead off. I am going to try again today but in a more controled environment. And try shackled instead of shot. Rich

[Jay Dufour]

mikey today

[Jay Dufour]

Mikey

[DEDEYE]

Mikey

How old is this little farmer? Pretty cute!

[Gun_Dog2002]

I have a 6 month old yml that I was introducing to live and shot birds this morning. When we shot a thrown duck, the duck got hit hard. My dog raced out and began licking it and would not bring it back. When thrown in water he did great. He has done well on both frozen and refrigerated ducks. Do you think that the duck oozing blood had something to do with this? He has not had formal obediance or been force fetched. Should I stop using live birds until the obediance is done? Does anyone know where I can pigeons near Richmond VA? Thanks for your help.

Rich

Rich did you lick the duck? If you did you'd know why the dog loves the taste...

/Paul

[4geese]

Paul,

I probably should have. They get expensive. That is why I am looking for some pigeons. Rich