big bad lindz Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Hi All, This has been the first season that I have had my Golden Retriever out with me on the gun. I have only been on walked up shooting with her. Before christmas on the few times we were out she behaved reasonably well and not going to far out in front.She flushed up birds and if I got them down she was good for the retrieve. Today when I had her out she would not listen to me and was to far in front and when she did flush up anything she went went hell for leather after it. Now that the season is about to close I know that I am going to have to go back a few steps in her training. She works ok on the dummies but how am I going to get her to stop getting to exited when she flushes up the real thing ? Am I expecting to much from her by asking her to both flush & retrieve. Needless to say it was not a good morning empty bag. Cheers, BBL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 You know she may be called a Golden RETRIEVER for a reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted January 26, 2012 Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Pure excitement - They want to flush and retrieve and do everything becuase they want to please you (and it's fun). Next time you go out, take a mate with you and either don't take your gun or don't shoot - Concentrate on your dog instead and when your mate shoots, you get her to sit immediately on report. A lot of the time when you are out with the dog and gun, you are concentrating on shooting more than handling, so forget your gun for a bit and get her back to basics. Your sincerely, Fatcatsplat (Who talks a good game, but whose spaniel still hasn't quite got the hang of it yet!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee-kinsman Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 (edited) How much of the season have you let her carry on like this. It would have been much easier to nip it in the bud as soon as she started it. Anyway, if you can get a live bird crate with a live bird in it, hide it in some long grass lead her to it, sit her about 5 feet away where she can see the bird, make sure she is sat and steadied, you release the bird, the bird flys off, then take her home. Do this as a disciplined exercise releasing single or several birds. After a week or so, go to where you know there are pheasant/ partridge let her flush a bird but keep her on a long lead/line so that you can re-inforce control and then start the process again, you flush out of a crate for a week then she can flush one. After each flush take her home. If you can get someone to bolt rabbits do that as well. The point of the exercise is that she isn't going to chase, flush or retrieve anything you are. If you go out pigeon shooting, have her sat in the hide you pick up, mybe she can pick one or two cold birds If you know someone with racing pigeons maybe borro one of those till some ex layers or poults become available. Make a strong point that you invite her to flush or retrieve, and not that she can run around flushing, chasing and retrieving anything. ATB, Lee Edited January 29, 2012 by lee-kinsman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PWD Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 (edited) If you have access to pigeon then one of these can help you get a controlled flush . Problem you have in the field is you dont know when its coming and the dog is probably 30 meters away when it happens..so your chances of gaining control are minimal, coupled with your desire to shoot the bird the dog is now self employed..what you want is a drop to flush..usually a spaniel thing but any dog can do it with training..basically the dog flushes the bird..stops were it made the flush and awaits another command from you..ie go retrieve as you made the shot...or carry on searching as I missed (more normal ) Not a cheap option but dont buy the pull cord ones..they are just to cumbersome to use, and you can always use a ball or dummy in it just to get the dog clued up at first...and steady http://www.litelauncher.co.uk/remote-control-bird-release-12-c.asp Edited January 29, 2012 by PWD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccles Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 Some good advice given by PWD and Lee. Looks like another case of not doing the training proper.All dogs should be taught to stop to flush before you shoot over them.When my pups are very young after they have learnt not to run in to thrown dummy etc.I throw a dummy or tennis ball as they hunt once they see it 1whistle and shout hup they soon catch on.When i'm hunting anything that gets up 1 whistle and hup.Until this is 100% i dont bother shooting live game over them.Then i get a friend to do the shooting you can't watch the dog and shoot until its rock steady.Hope it make sense to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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