Jay that is what I did with my first dog. Its a great way to train if there are plenty of birds. Now I like to start the dogs young so I use lots of pen raised birds. One of my hunting partners raises birds in huge flight pens. Dogs dont know the difference for most of the basics.
Although other than one pigeon during one of their first trips out where they get one pigeon, they dont get another bird in their mouth until they are steady to wing and shot.
When Means quail season opens up they are ready. Still make some mistakes but wild birds are a whole new experience for them, with thousands of new smells, deer, fox, rabbits and other animals to distract them.
Training dogs is like a road trip in lots of ways to get there, some paths take a little longer and some are more fun. Main thing is is to have fun and end up at the same destination.
Dang I really want to get a new pup.
|