Running a puppy on wild birds ?

[Stocker Steve]

Taking the new Red Dawg pup on twilight drives and seeing a lot of wild peasants. Tried putting him down on hot scents, and he figured out what we were after the third time. The birds are in light cover and never hold. Is this a real problem, or do I just need to reinforce trailing to a scent end point?

 

[SmokinM]

Can’t help you on birds, I think that is Sim-Ang Kings department. If you want him to take up coon hunting or bear hunting I could maybe lend a hand. Didn’t realize you had that kind of pheasant population there. Hope you get him tuned up that’s a fun way to extend the season!

 

[TCRanch]

Neighbor and his buddy brought neighbor's new "Red Dawg" (I have no clue what breed except his name is Red) duck hunting a couple winters ago on our watershed lake. Lake was frozen. Neighbor shot a duck, dropped down perfectly about 20 yards away on the ice. Pup still hadn't mastered retrieval, especially on ice, and didn't budge. Eagle swooped down & snatched the duck. Didn't get another duck the rest of the morning and I suspect Red didn't get any treats that day.

 

[rollinhills]

sounds like he may be good and birdie, it won't hurt him a bit to trail those birds he will figure out he can't catch them. Does he have pointing instincts? You may try some tame birds that will hold for him to get him a little more steady.

 

[kenny thomas]

Taking the new Red Dawg pup on twilight drives and seeing a lot of wild peasants. Tried putting him down on hot scents, and he figured out what we were after the third time. The birds are in light cover and never hold. Is this a real problem, or do I just need to reinforce trailing to a scent end point?

I am not a dog trainer by any means but I would pay good money to get to shoot a few birds he finds. Wild pheasants are on this old man's bucket list

 

[sim.-ang.king]

Taking the new Red Dawg pup on twilight drives and seeing a lot of wild peasants. Tried putting him down on hot scents, and he figured out what we were after the third time. The birds are in light cover and never hold. Is this a real problem, or do I just need to reinforce trailing to a scent end point?

You might try putting some pen birds out in thick grass so they will hold longer. Also spinning them around so they are discombobulated helps them hold longer. It will help the dog get the idea faster of what birds to hunt up.
After they have the idea of pointing, or flushing (don't know what type a red dog is :lol: ) the best thing you can do for a bird dog is hunt, and hunt, and hunt some more. All along the line be sure to teach them obedience, a dog that won't follow orders is worthless.

Good Luck