So we've been training Hoot (Boykin) to retrieve a dummy bird. How do I need to go about moving to the next step for him to retrieve something more bird like? Ideas? Hunting is very different for us here in the UK. We can't just go out and kill a pheasant or dove to help in the process of training like we would do in the US. I would like to take him out on a hunt to see what he'd do, but have no idea on where to start. I also don't want to mess up anyones hunt. We are training him to be a working dog. My husband was suppoused to be doing this, but as the Military requires a lot of his time. It now falls to me. I do most everything with him anyways. Any help would be wonderful!!
So we've been training Hoot (Boykin) to retrieve a dummy bird. How do I need to go about moving to the next step for him to retrieve something more bird like? Ideas? Hunting is very different for us here in the UK. We can't just go out and kill a pheasant or dove to help in the process of training like we would do in the US. I would like to take him out on a hunt to see what he'd do, but have no idea on where to start. I also don't want to mess up anyones hunt. We are training him to be a working dog. My husband was suppoused to be doing this, but as the Military requires a lot of his time. It now falls to me. I do most everything with him anyways. Any help would be wonderful!!
Thank you,
Nikki
I wouldn't use a Pigeon as a first attempt. They have very soft loose feathers and this can put an inexperienced dog off. I would try and find some wings from a bird that has been shot and attach it to an existing dummy as a start. Once you're shooting over the dog everything changes gear so anticipate some extra caution especially on falling birds. If you are concerned that the dog will break, I would suggest keeping it on a leash. I am assuming he has been shot conditioned?
That is something we'd like to do, but where would we get a bird to get the wings? I know that there are some funny rules about hunting here. We have no guns, and besides picking one up on the side of the road. I do not know how to obtain one. Hoot is only 10 months old. He is also the first dog we've ever trained. I'm hoping that I can get together with someone to learn from them.
From what I've read it seems you haven't been living here long. Why not find your local shoot and offer your service as a beater (without your dog to start with) and I'm sure you'll meet some great people who will point u in the right direction and if its like any shoot I've been to I'm sure they give u a bird or two to bring home. Good luck
Shane
A beater works on a driven shoot, and together with other beaters + dogs, form a line and drive the birds forward towards a line of waiting guns. There is a popular group on FB where people often ask for beaters etc - see https://www.facebook.com/groups/118117729971/
Joiner54 wrote:How would I go about looking for a local shoot? What is a beater? I'm sure I know what it is by another name. Thank you for the information.
Think its called "brushing" not beating where you live.
Also watch this section and check out the web pages in the sticky at the top: viewforum.php?f=46
In life, it is important to know when to stop arguing with people and simply let them be wrong.
I'm not sure what you mean by "dummy bird" .....is that a dokken type of dummy that you have been using ? Personally, I don't like them, I greatly prefer a standard canvas dummy.
Bird wings ...and the bird itself can be obtained by taking a look at a local telephone directory under the heading "Game Dealers." They sell birds of various kinds and pheasants can be very easily obtained in that way.Only the last section of the birds wing should be removed. Do not use the section of wing from the birds body to the joint in midwing. That section contains too much meat.
It is usually fairly easy in Britain to get a place at a shoot as a beater if your dog will hunt and is reasonably well controlled.
Wullie
If at first you don't succeed .....find out if there is a booby prize !
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Don't do what doesn't work - do what does.
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THANK YOU!! We actually call it flushing the birds. Thank you all again for all the helpful information. We don't have have game readily available in the states like you do here in the UK. We can not just look up in our directory to find stuff like that. You have to go to a specialized place or have your own land.
Wullie- Thank you for the wing information. I didn't know about that!
I do most everything with him anyways. 
Any help would be wonderful!! 
Thank you for the information.