Had a few young dogs get their butts kicked, the first time we took them hunting in a pit, also had a few young and not so young hunters get their butts kicked with using a break open shotgun in a pit. So much can go wrong and your right at the prefect level to get a dog or hunting partner killed should they suddenly move the wrong way as the geese are coming in. Much more dangerous than hunting out of an above ground blind. Your dog needs to be perfectly steady, and stay in his assigned place when hunting out of a pit, no exceptions. I like to use a mud-hut that way I and the dog know where he's supposed to be & stay until released, makes it a lot easier to correct. Make sure you choose your hunting partners wisely when training for pit work, they really need to be aware of the dog. I think your smart to keep her on lead until your absolutely sure of her steadiness.