My first day of solo training

[Huntingonthebrain]

Took my dog out today for the first time without anyone else who knew what they were doing. My wife and my dad helped as well. Dog got really excited to be out doing some training. Sniffed out a couple of birdsl... unfortunately he managed to grab one of them as well. Overall successful though. Used my Sportdog 800 today for the first time outside of my own safe zone. The dog know the collar means fun and he behaved so well that my wife and I have decided to call it the C-Collar (c for conscience). Sportdog 800 is a great investment

[Jixer]

Glad it went well. Carefull letting him catch too many. Where are the pics?

[Maverick]

Glad to hear things went well for you and the new collar is working out.

Mav......

[Huntingonthebrain]

Took him out again today. He seems to be getting scent but wants to move in till he sees the bird. Any thought??? I can say this much....he seems to really love it though. When we were finished with a few birds I took him off leash and let him just run and sniff stuff out. It nice to feel a little secure with the e-collar... I was fairly close to road but felt ok. The best spot I have found for me to train on (where I know I have permission) is a gravel service road (about 100 meters long) with deep grass and fescue on either side. I have been hiding birds on each side. :dog:

[Huntingonthebrain]

Ok.. so my dog is continuing to move in on the birds. I am not sure if he is not getting the scent of if he is just wanting to actually see the bird after he gets the scent. I cannot afford a bird launcher at this time. Any thoughts anyone???

[andrew06]

I've been having a similar problem.. My GSP will get birdy when around the scent but 9 out of 10 times he will not point until he sees the bird, then he points hard!!! but as soon as the bird moves he wants to chase it - strong drive to chase!! Im not sure where to go back and start from again to work this out of him??

[Jixer]

Sounds like the dogs know that they can get close without bumping the bird. If the bird flushes sooner, the dogs will learn to point sooner. Launchers are the easiest way. Dog hits scent, turns into bird, takes a step, you launch the bird without saying a word. Dog learns not to take the extra step cause the bird will be gone.

[Huntingonthebrain]

That is half my problem.. I have pigeons but they will not flush on their own.. I am going to try shorter grass