I have long been a big advocate of starting puppies early 4 to 6 months old in many cases. I feel that this allows assessment of the potential of the puppy. Letting puppies knock and chase birds (whether liberated or wild) builds early desire. The earlier the proverbial switch is flipped in a young puppy - the better off you are and the puppy will often reach the high end of their genetic potential.
Along with this - desire building chasing and prey driven puppy work outs - once the desire is brought out - a person can carefully introduce gun fire to the whole work out. If the puppy has learned that it is great fun to chase birds, he is unlikely to pay much attention to loud noises that are incidental to the chase - best case he will associate gun shots with birds and we are well on the way to the brag gun dog or hunting dog.
Enough of my rambling - On to the progress reports - which is why you all come on here to read anyway.
Maggie - Running hard, has pointed wild birds on several occasions, naturally shows to the front - very nice dog.
Tech - After some initial concerns about desire and gun sensitivity - I am happy to report he is building desire, has pointed some liberated birds, and had a few contacts with wild birds on tribal land north of camp - which was really exciting to see.
Buster - Solid performer - no issues - pointing well and standing steady to wing and shot nearly all the time.
Hailey - Still working on building this young females natural ability. She was in close proximity to birds flushed by Tech and the young puppies this morning. Hoping she will start to turn the corner soon.
Molly - Nice easy ranging dog, turns to the front, and has been in contact with both liberated birds and a few wild birds on runs north of camp.
Jackson - Progress is slow - seems bored with the whole pen raised bird experience - hoping that once we start running daily on wild birds - his desire and acceptance of training will get better.
Trevor - Training is going well, he is standing broke most of the time on pen raised birds and liberated birds - some correction still necessary but is making progress.
Collin - Running very well, needs work on patterning - often comes from behind but is pointing birds well. I think he will improve greatly once horseback work begins.
Lucy - Nice dog - taking to the training great - progress for such a young dog is super. Standing well to wing and shot - most of the time.
Jake - Still showing great potential - pointing birds well. Pattern is mostly forward and big - running from horseback will greatly improve this I think.
Dot - Doing great needs a reminder about every three contacts to keep her happy feet planted better - her birds are always well located and at a good distance. Turning out very well so far.
Max - Still has happy feet - taking the corrections well and does better after corrections - starting to build up better - still need to get him a little more in shape.
Tucker - Almost done with bird work in controlled situations - breaking on wild birds should be a very easy task. Roading well and is starting to get in super shape.
Star - Roading well, has been standing broke with little correction for a few workouts. I am looking forward to working her on wild birds soon.
Roading is going great - the hunting dogs - Rocky, Jackson, Star, Tech, Squirt, Cullen and Sally are roading 8 miles - it takes about 1 hr. The other dogs (over 18 months) are roading 10 miles now - or about 1 1/2 hrs.
More later.
Keith - Posting from Under the Rusty Windmill
I totally agree that pups should be started young. Unfortunately Haley's breeder had not put her on birds at a young age and we can see the result. I have 5 pups that are 4 months at home and they get to atleast play with the pen raised birds when it is not a hundred degrees out! Haley has the pedigree but unfortunately it may be a long slow process to get her to hunt. I appreciate your hard work and dedication.
ReplyDeleteKeith,
ReplyDeleteYour musings are of great value to my wife and I as are your progress reports.
Through your writings we are able to visualize to some extent what transpires in your world.
Through our pups participation and your progess reports we are able to share in the satisfaction of small successes and in the frustration when things don't go so well.
We appreciate all that you are doing for us and our pup.