Gundog Training Forum

At what stage do we introduce a feather clad dummy ?
Any tips on how to make it, introduce it etc ?

I introduce fur and feather to youngs pups as soon as they are retrieving confidently. Just pheasant wings on a dummy or rabbit fur puppy dummies and fur tennis balls

Miesque
My one is 22 months and because I never intended working her until recently (as you know) I have probably missed the ideal time (maybe) she is I would say 95% steady to dummies not absolutely reliable yet but we are definitely close (I think) I have some loose pheasant feathers would that do the job taped onto a dummy. ?
Do I need to do anything any different or just send her out for it as usual. Would we expect her to show any signs such as confusion towards this alien thing, anything or rather any behaviour I need to be aware of. ?
If we assume that she takes to the idea, what then ? Do we use it all the time, as well as or only in specific situations as in for instance leading up to the game season ?
Sorry for the many questions hope they don't come over as too stupid

I don't make a big deal of it - I use wings because I have tens of them in the shed. If you need a pair I can send you some. I just treat it like a normal retrieve nothing different about it at all. If they're a bit reluctant ton pick it I'll encourage them but it's usually not an issue. I have a massive box of dummies and never thinking much about which ones I grab to put in the game bag on any one day so feathers are often on them.

You probably don't want my answer

Springfield Pointers wrote:You probably don't want my answer

Oh but I do SP. I value your opinion sir.

Miesque wrote:I don't make a big deal of it - I use wings because I have tens of them in the shed. If you need a pair I can send you some. I just treat it like a normal retrieve nothing different about it at all. If they're a bit reluctant ton pick it I'll encourage them but it's usually not an issue. I have a massive box of dummies and never thinking much about which ones I grab to put in the game bag on any one day so feathers are often on them.

Thank you for info and offer, I will see what I can make up.
Should I introduce this now or is it too soon ?

I'd just give it a go. I use rabbit fur dummies pretty much interchangeably with canvas cos they're all in my bag jumbled up together. I also use roadkill pheasants frequently cos there's lots of them! My horrid cocker (when I used to bother trying to do formal traning with her) would detach wings from dummies and just retrieve the wings but she is a) horrid and b) not a keen retriever anyway. The other cocker I train and my springer both retrieve anything you send them for and couldn't give a toss if it's a canvas dummy or a dead bird. I think Eze will fall into the latter catagory. Don't panic about it!

Ok thanks Alice
Nothing ventured and all that, I will get me sticky black plastic and other blue peter paraphernalia and fashion us a facsimile of a pheasant.

ips wrote:Ok thanks Alice
Nothing ventured and all that, I will get me sticky black plastic and other blue peter paraphernalia and fashion us a facsimile of a pheasant.

haha! Just cable-tie some wings on and treat it like any other retrieve. Get a rabbit skin dummy too, bit of variation. I like Hi Lost.