Help With Frozen Ducks

[B-Rod]

Thanks for the advice guys! I used a thawed out bird this morning and he didn't crush it. He was a little slow to pick it up, but I'm sure that will get cleared up with more and more repetition.

[Evan]

When you go out with your thawed duck, don't start by stuffing it in his mouth, commanding "Hold". Toss it; play with it like a bumper, and let your dog get used to associating it with fun. Work will come soon, as 16 months is very late to start introducing feathers.

Evan

[The Snows]

Duck I was using was frozen.

Would you want to hold a frozen duck in your mouth?

Just sayin'

[HarryWilliams]

Would you want to hold a frozen duck in your mouth?

Just sayin'

Nope! HPW

[B-Rod]

When you go out with your thawed duck, don't start by stuffing it in his mouth, commanding "Hold". Toss it; play with it like a bumper, and let your dog get used to associating it with fun. Work will come soon, as 16 months is very late to start introducing feathers.

Evan

Thanks Evan I will do that. This morning I just gave him some retrieves. I didn't try any work with hold or anything.

[Rich Martin]

Thanks for the advice guys! I used a thawed out bird this morning and he didn't crush it. He was a little slow to pick it up, but I'm sure that will get cleared up with more and more repetition.

It is something new and last time he had it in his mouth he got nicked. like stated above, make it fun. if you get a chance try and use more than just mallards, I guess they smell different. the first wood duck mine went to pick up looked at me like you want me to pick this up? I was told that once they make the connection a duck is a duck it will be ok, last weekend mine got his first buffy then a red head with no delay. Good luck and fun.

[Wayne Nutt]

After a while it won't matter if they are frozen or not. The ducks I used in the recent video of Rowdy were still partially frozen. They had been out of the freezer for about 3-4 hours. All the feathers were soft but the bodies were still stiff.

My general rule is in the winter I take them out of the freezer the night before. In the summer I take them out early in the morning of use. Although it is not summer now, it is still extremely warm.

Sometimes I think the cool, cold ducks feel good in their mouth in the heat.

[B-Rod]

What else should I be doing with my dog in introducing him to birds since I am a little late starting this process of his training? Should I get some live pigeons?

[Evan]

Are you following any certain program? In mine your dog would be forced on large bumpers, Dokkens, pigeons, teal, mallards, and geese after FTP. But that is not part of all programs.

Evan

[GG]

could be a side effect from forcing on game, which is a no, no in my book
good luck
GG