teal27 Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Has anyone had any issues with their young dog refusing to Pick up live birds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Cant say I have , what do you call young ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teal27 Posted November 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 14 months, my cocker a been great with dead birds so far but if she goes for one and it moves she won't pick it up and barked at it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Did the dog pickup pricked birds before? what's it like on fur? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teal27 Posted November 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 She will pick up a bird if it's moving from nerves but if it's been winged which isn't very often she'll sniff it and bark at it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Am no expert trainer but can only go by many years owning and training my own and friends gundogs.You must remember young dogs are a bit like kids some will learn quicker than others,Some young dogs are bold and think nothing of picking a pricked cock pheasant that is kicking and flapping its wings, a nervous immature dog on the other hand can be put off retrieving a pricked bird or rabbit if something bad happens during the retrieve.Has the dog ever retrieved a pricked bird? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 I am just at this stage with my youngest dog, she it nearly 2 and this is her first season beating. On a shoot day she has retrieved a few birds but nothing really kicking. My plan is to start slowly and only letting her retrieve a winged bird when I think she can handle it and that's not yet. But each dog is different, my oldest dog would think nothing of taking on the biggest cock birds when she was younger than the other one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 I think it's just something they learn with experience, but I did give more encouragement to 'fetch-up' on obviously winged birds. They are a bit hesitant at first, but get there eventually and mine will both take on full blown runners with no problems now. If yours is just barking, call it back and send it for the retrieve again. If it barks a second time just call it back and don't make a fuss - It'll soon learn it's missed out on something and the eagerness to please, being a cocker, will prevail. 14 months is still very young to be taking on pricked and running birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teal27 Posted November 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Am no expert trainer but can only go by many years owning and training my own and friends gundogs. You must remember young dogs are a bit like kids some will learn quicker than others, Some young dogs are bold and think nothing of picking a pricked cock pheasant that is kicking and flapping its wings, a nervous immature dog on the other hand can be put off retrieving a pricked bird or rabbit if something bad happens during the retrieve. Has the dog ever retrieved a pricked bird? She'll retrieve stone dead pigeons and partridges but not if they start to move or flap, I took her on the marsh last nite and dropped a high teal which was winged and she found it but barked at it and started nudging it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambaker1993 Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Everyone's opinion on how old should be when it starts is different some people say as soon as you can get it out and people say when it's one some say two ! I have a young dog and I have had him out from when I can and he has no problem picking the biggest winged birds !! Had slight problem with him dropping it at my feet but a little bit of gold and dead work sorted that within a week !! Personal choice ! I don't think there is any better training than in a field weather your shooting or not asking as your main focus is the dog after all that's what your wanting him to do in the long run why not demonstrate your training in the field ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 I've had a couple over the years, it's perfectly understandable and the dog is probably confused and doesn't know wot its meant to do. I imagine u have spent the last 14 months trying to get it steady and not to chase things now on an early outing ur expecting it to chase things. Even the fact it is a teal if that is the 2st teal it has seen could be enough to confuse a hesitant dog. I'd be very careful asking a yong dog to peg runners, esp such a small dog as a cocker. I would also be hesitant on sending it on strong runner large cock pheasants, quite a mouthful for a small dog anyway esp so if kicking out and spurring his face. I have 1 large springer who does tend to bite a bit firmer with running cock pheasants now after being used to pick up when he was still youngish and picking a lot of runners and very few dead birds, quickly learned he would not get spurrd if he clamped down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teal27 Posted November 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2015 Thanks for the replies I will try what has been mentioned and see how I get on, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Don't fret in a few years you will likely be struggling with it pegging birds lol I should shoot everything again if it's a proper live one and send it just on dead some more then only just alive a wounded gander or big old cock pheasant a definite no no at present Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teal27 Posted December 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 I took my little cocker on the marsh last week and couldn't believe what I was seeing! I dropped a goose over a small river and on to a field with a steep 7ft bank, I told her to go thinking she wouldn't really bother as it was still moving but how wrong was I, through the river she went up the steep bank and found the goose, dragged it to the bank and carried it clear from the floor straight to me! It was the same size as she was. Very pleased with her, I think the moving bird situation has passed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teal27 Posted December 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 Not too clear but this is her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted December 7, 2015 Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 After saying my young dog has not done anything really kicking I was working her through cover crop last week it's thick so could not see her all the time but could see where she was if that makes sense, she returned to me with a big cock bird very much alive, when I took it from her it had a wing down. Keeper thought it was a runner from the previous day's shoot. I was very surprised and extremely pleased, if I had seen the bird I would of called her back thinking it was a bit much to soon for her. I am so pleased with my little dog she is extremely steady even at a flushing point with a couple of hundred birds in front of her, retrieves well to hand and works close in, if I was to be picky she could be bolder through thick cover but she is getting better now I think she knows what she should be doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee-kinsman Posted December 7, 2015 Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 Yep I've found it quite common with springers. Live, wick or twitching birds. They soon get over it as they mature with age and experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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