Gundog Training Forum

Hi,

Just want to see if I have a problem I will need to address or whether I don't need to worry and is normal for 4mth old pup.

Kemble was out on parents decking today with her dad when a sparrow hit the window died and landed in front of her, she was wary to start as I went over but as I opened the door she picked it up and went off, called her and then went towards her calmly to get it off her. She then 'tossed it in her mouth' if that makes sense and I thought she was going to try and eat it, got to her and removed it quickly forgot to tell her dead as just didn't want her to try to munch it. Is she likely to try to chew game when we start using it or would this be a normal puppy reaction. Is there any advice to help?
Her retrieving has gone a bit awry recently, she tends to try to bog off and not keen on coming to me with it. Have left off with it for a while but still have to get things off her she shouldn't have and have to pry them from her sometimes.
Thanks
Suz

To begin she`s only 4 mnths, so stop worrying about her retrieving.As regards the sparrow, stop worrying.
My first springer at 6 months found a covey of 3 parts grown partridges in my rough area of garden where I train my dogs. He picked one up and brought it to me, as I was about to take it he swallowed it and he turned out one of the best dogs I`ve had, don`t worry.

Bill

it's only a sparrow, it's not 'game' as such- she's very unlikely to associate anything with it.

Was more the fact she chomped it that concerned me lol glad should be fine trying to stop worrying but hard with her being my first

I think if a bird came into my garden mine would do the same. How ever i do think that they know the difference between work and oppurtunity. Like for example if you left a gundog outside with a dummy. It would probably carry it around for a period of time, but i suspect after a while the retrieve would turn into , 'im bored so what can i do with this....'

I wouldnt worry, my mate has a lab which has literally swallowed dozens of his dads pigeons, yet out shooting, it will happily retrieve a pidgeon! Id maybe be extra cautous on the introduction to game at the later stages, i guess some dogs can miss all the dummy, to fur dummy, to feathered dummy, to cold game etc etc out but I wouldnt say doing that is worth the risk!

Nothing to worry about at all.

Wullie

Many years ago I had a springer that had a lovely soft mouth would retrieve fur and feather perfectly , but if I was out around the parents nursery with the airgun shooting sparrows ( it was years ago and no I don't still shoot sparrows) as soon as one hit the deck he if given chance would be straight on it and swallow it whole !!!

Strange but true !