First time out with a shotgun.

[Actionpigeons]

I bred a litter of pups for my oldest lab last year, firstly because I think she was well worth breeding from and secondly because I wanted to keep one back for myself.

Since the pup was six month old I have put a good few hrs into training her.

Over the past couple of week and with all the basics done, I felt the pup was starting to get a little fed up with the training. I have changed training fields, introduced new dummies, but it was a bit same old same old for the pup.

 

I decided she would benefit from some warm birds to spark her up a bit. I gave Hawk4sport a call, as I don’t like to shoot over my pups for the fist time preferring to concentrate on the dog.

We went over to a small farm I shoot, we tucked in next to an old cowshed where there is a field with little maze left as it was to wet to lift and a few pigeons still feeding on it.

 

I am sure the pup thought the gun was the dummy launcher, as she never took her eyes off it. First bird over and Hawk4sport did the honors and dropped it.

I sent the pup out but she stopped just short on her run out, I put the hunt whistle on her and she soon found it and did a lovely retrieve.

Job done and home.

 

Thank you very much Hawk4sport, MR Dickweed as we call him.

[hawk4sport]

No problem john, glad i could help, its always interesting to see and try and understand other peoples training methods and hopefully learn little bits which you can adapt to suit your own needs. Your young dog is a credit to you and can only hope that my young dog can acheive to get to the same standards, although used to the starting pistol he,s not quite ready for the gun yet but when he is you can hopefully return the favour.See you soon and A.T.B Andy

[Actionpigeons]

I will gladly return the favour Andy, but there is a good chance I will miss the pigeon...lol

[hawk4sport]

I will gladly return the favour Andy, but there is a good chance I will miss the pigeon...lol

Just make sure youve got a spare slab in the back of the truck

[Berettacocker]

I wouldn't want to introduce a young dog that early to warm game, but when a dog loses interest you have to do a wrong thing to get the right result.

[Actionpigeons]

I wouldn't want to introduce a young dog that early to warm game, but when a dog loses interest you have to do a wrong thing to get the right result.

All depends on the dog, my middle dog (4 year old) dog did not hear a shot gun until it was 12 months old, however

this pup is one of the boldest pup I have ever bred. She is a very quick learner and knows all the basics and when I say all the basics she would put a lot of peoples fully trained dogs to shame.

 

I agree with you, normally I would not introduce a pup of ten and a half months to warm game but the pup is well in front with all of its training for its age.

She took it all in her stride as the gun shot is some thing she has heard from a young age. (starting pistol at feeding times ,then training with a dummy launcher, 410)

she will have very little shot over her now, just maybe once a week to keep the spark going and then just one bird and home.

Edited May 30, 2014 by Actionpigeons

[Berettacocker]

Just an observation , think you did right thing. Most dogs are mad for a dummy, but when they become bored, nothing kicks starts them again like a freshly shot bird. Nice bitch, all eyes on you!

[E.w.]

Good on you the best trainers think outside the box and get results just like you have nice one.

[ditchman]

Always difficult first time out for real.......well done ....breath a sigh of relief....... youve got a gooden not a dud