getthegat Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 Hi, any ideas why my labby cross is struggling to do a clean retrieve of pigeons? She will retrieve a dummy or tennis ball or frizby, does it first time every time. Will sit and wait for the command to fetch and will drop to a command of "dead" She's done a few retrieves of pigeons out of a ditch, though it took a lot of encouragement. She always goes straight to the dropped bird, but will only "snuffle" it, as I call it, getting just about all the feathers off, then looses interest. She sits beside me whilst I shoot, watches and even spots the birds before me sometimes. Fairly certain she even knows the word pigeon. I know people say pigeon feathers can be a put off for some dogs, could this be the reason? Any ideas much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 How old is the dog and what is it crossed with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getthegat Posted February 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 1 year. And no idea of what she's crossed with. Volleyball maybe, but she will work like springer. Sorry for the multiple posts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 Does she retrieve other game ok? If she does try putting a freshly shot pigeon into an old sock and see what she does, its possible that the feathers are putting her off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 She is still young and just may not have the instinct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getthegat Posted February 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 I only shoot pigeons and corvids, the latter have been in very short supply, so she's only done pigeons. I'll try the sock trick though. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 9 minutes ago, getthegat said: I only shoot pigeons and corvids, the latter have been in very short supply, so she's only done pigeons. I'll try the sock trick though. Cheers. Don't let your dog retrieve corvids. If one is only winged they could go for your dogs eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getthegat Posted February 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 Yeah I know, I don't let her. Would not want her to get a peck in the eye or nose, Far too soft with her to let her get hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 In my opinion the dog is too young to really be out working, they reckon a dogs ears can't cope with gunshot till 9+ months so even at 12 months I wouldn't fancy firing a shot so close to the dog's ears at that age esp in the close confines of a hide. Pigeon inside tights, or dummies with wings tied to them, dummies with fur on them, anything to get the dog's mouth used to different textures etc, then move on to cold pigeons. Even if u can get some duck/teal of someone as there ideal as the feathers are so tight and don't fall out, pigeons can be murder for young dogs thou. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted February 4, 2018 Report Share Posted February 4, 2018 Dog needs to learn to turn them over and grab across the back. In a young dog without an older one to show it the ropes, it is up to you to show it. Start with pigeons on their belly and get her to pick them., then once confident, have them on back and show her how to turn them over and have her pick it up. You may need to hide a treat under the first few to get her into the idea of moving it about on her own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 shoot yourself a few squirrels there a nice size and weight for a young dog to retrieve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harlin1988 Posted February 5, 2018 Report Share Posted February 5, 2018 I agree with Scotslad, it’s problem the new feeling to feather/fur in its mouth try feather/fur dummies, wings wrapped round, before going straight to pigeon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getthegat Posted February 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2018 All good intel guys. As for the age and ears issue, I shoot a moderated 20 gauge. Hopefully this is less harmful. Unfortunately I've never seen a single squirrel on any of my perms; virtually no trees? We have a duck sized dummy which she loves practicing retrieving and is very good with it. I'll try a couple wings attached to it and see the result. No birds about at the moment though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltings Posted February 7, 2018 Report Share Posted February 7, 2018 (edited) put some fresh shot pigeons into a sock or some tights and use them for retrieve practice gets the scent and no feathers to mess about with or put the tennis ball in your game bag with fresh shot game should help as well Edited February 7, 2018 by Saltings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getthegat Posted February 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 Not sure if she'd picked my socks up and as for tights... personally I'm not into them ? each to his own. Seriously though, yep I'll give it a go, would never have thought of that idea. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 11, 2018 Report Share Posted February 11, 2018 On 04/02/2018 at 22:39, Stonepark said: Dog needs to learn to turn them over and grab across the back. In a young dog without an older one to show it the ropes, it is up to you to show it. Start with pigeons on their belly and get her to pick them., then once confident, have them on back and show her how to turn them over and have her pick it up. You may need to hide a treat under the first few to get her into the idea of moving it about on her own. Never heard of a dog needing to turn a pigeon over before. I think the dog is too young, and requires more training. I wouldn't take a dog shooting that wouldn't retrieve what it is there for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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