training lab for doves
Teri Keefe
1. If you want a steady dog (one that will not break for a bird or bumper
until released) then I would highly suggest you work on that before you go
dove hunting. Set a standard and stick to it. If you are going to allow no
creeping, no noise, etc...in the duck blind, then require the same while in
the "hide" dove hunting. You are going to be busy hunting (shooting) and I
promise, if your dog is not rock steady, you will let the pup get away with
breaking and it will create more training issues for you in other hunting
situations. Maybe even let your buddies shoot and you work the dog the first
few times out. Main thing is that you can't let him break while hunting
doves and expect him to be still and quiet in the duck boat or while honoring
at a test or trial.
2. I do not use doves on pups (4-6 months) just introduced to birds because
of the feathers sticking in the mouth issue. I have found they start
spitting out the birds because of the feathers and then I have a whole new
issue to deal with.
About self training your pup, ask the pro the give you some training drills
to work on at home and then set up a session 1-2 times a month for the
trainer to work with you as you handle and work your dog. Also ask if the
trainer has any "group training days" for you to participate in.
Many happy hunts with your pup,
Teri
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Curt
Usually they got quite sizeable to.
The one thing we learned was that the traits that they shared from the two
breeds were well set into the dog.
Usually we got a great nose with great personality, a big dog that loved
water and retrieved pretty good. The retrieving usually took more time to
develop.
Continue to work with the dog on it's best qualities and try not to get
frustrated with his weaker qualities.
We live on a hobby farm by about 10,000 acres of public land/marsh which is
awesome for ducks, pheasants and deer and our dogs work great on both
pheasants and ducks.
Keep working with your dog on the doves and it'll do better with age.
In a year and a half your dog will be excellant if you keep working with
him.
Curt
-----Original Message-----
From: eboyle <ebo...@N0.SPAM.SWBELL.NET>
Newsgroups: rec.hunting.dogs
Date: Sunday, May 27, 2001 10:47 PM
Subject: training lab for doves
>Any advice on how to train a lab for doves?
>He is a little over a year old chocalate lab, (German Shorthair / lab mix,
>but trainer told me he looked pure lab).
>He was professionaly trained for upland birds at 7 months and performed
well
>above expectations. (He's a Pointing lab)
>I have been working with him on training for ducks and he does rather well
>on this. (Haven't got past the training dummies yet, but he loves to bring
>in doubles in a pond).
>He still needs a little work on stay for extended periods of time, and not
>running after the bird (dummy) immediately after it is thrown. But if I get
>all that accomplished with him will he automatically take to dove hunting?
>Will he be able to bring back the birds if never introduced to the scent.
>The trainer told me to bring him back for dove and waterfowl training since
>his obedience was done and the upland birds he could spend 1 to 2 weeks
with
>my lab and be ready for season. I would like to finish training him
myself,
>though. Better on the pocketbook and better on the bond between us.
>Any ideas greatly appreciated.
>Thanks in advance.
>Eric