New upland hunter and pup

CLarson757

CLarson757

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Dec 29, 2019
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My 7 month old poodle mix and I hit the field for our first quail hunt together. I downed one bird and she went and found it! I made a scent tube filled with quail feathers and wings. We play hide/seek around the house and neighborhood and she is obsessed. I’m so pumped that she likes it and she is really engaged.

I’ve done all this training and research on my own vis books and YouTube. Does anyone have any tips or tricks to help her become a better flush/ retriever?

Ive also made a turkey scent tube and she’s equally as interested. If anyone in San Diego has any access to live quail or frozen whole birds, I’d definitely like to chat.
 

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Welcome to the forum and thats a good looking dog. What is the other half of the poodle mix ?
 
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MJB said:
7 months just make it fun for her and you. Others will be along with more advice......
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appreciate it. I’m trying to keep training as fun and light as possible. She seems to be enjoying it a lot for now
 
She is one damn cute pup! As others have said take it slow and make everything fun for her. I don’t know about Bernese mountain dog but poodles can be excellent hunting dogs and retrievers. I use to hunt upland with a guy who had a poodle. I have to admit his poodle was as good a flusher and retriever as my lab. Keep us updated on her progress, I’m interested to know how she progresses.
 
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WaterDog said:
She is one damn cute pup! As others have said take it slow and make everything fun for her. I don’t know about Bernese mountain dog but poodles can be excellent hunting dogs and retrievers. I use to hunt upland with a guy who had a poodle. I have to admit his poodle was as good a flusher and retriever as my lab. Keep us updated on her progress, I’m interested to know how she progresses.
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Ive been in contact with a few guys who have poodles now that hunt birds. It’s interesting to me and she seems to love it so I’m going to keep at it.

I am starting to try and introduce her to scent work in less controlled environments. This weekend we’ll hit the field again I’ll try to have her find some quail for the season closer.

I’ll keep the thread going with her progress. I’m interested in what she’d do if/ when she sees a full grown turkey that’s nearly her size. As spring rolls around I’ll definitely be scouting the big birds with her.
 
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Man, I wish I had trained my guy to be a bird dog. He's 2.5yrs old now so probably not too late but I'm still new to hunting so I wouldn't even know where to begin, we're in SD also! Beautiful coat on your girl - like others have said, make it fun. Finn has a soft mouth and is smart as a whip, poodles are awesome!

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Where did you go where there was snow? I gotta take him out to the snow this season. If you ever need a hunting pal or dog playmate let me know ;)
 
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Paolo said:
Man, I wish I had trained my guy to be a bird dog. He's 2.5yrs old now so probably not too late but I'm still new to hunting so I wouldn't even know where to begin, we're in SD also! Beautiful coat on your girl - like others have said, make it fun. Finn has a soft mouth and is smart as a whip, poodles are awesome!

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Where did you go where there was snow? I gotta take him out to the snow this season. If you ever need a hunting pal or dog playmate let me know ;)
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Good looking dog! I’m sure if you got him in the field to smell and see the wildlife he’d enjoy himself. I just started playing fetch, then transitioned that into hide and seek with turkey feathers I’d found while in the field and my bird from last year.
I found that my girl really liked that game using her nose. Now after finding a few downed birds she’s been more of a retriever than a flusher, which I don’t mind.

Head out East and you’ll find snow anywhere from Japatul to Mt. Laguna. Mine loves the snow. I enjoy it because it’s great exercise and I get to hunt. I’m sure your dog would enjoy the snow and could pickup some hunting skills at his age. Helps that he’s got a little more size to him.
 
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Bringing this thread back with some updates/ progress. Trudy got her first haircut, which is also my first time shaving a dog . Trudy is still hard at work but her being a family dog, “she isn’t JUST a bird dog” as my wife likes to remind me. She still obsesses anytime we get out in the field but it’s all progress at work.

I’ve decided to take the plunge into keeping some of my own birds. I have not decided on quail, chukar or doves yet. My plan is to buy the birds, bring them home and within a day or two get the dog in the field with the birds. I don’t really want to have birds all the time, ideally only long enough to keep them a night or two before field work.

Does anyone have any recommendations on what birds to keep? I’m thinking of getting a rabbit hutch to keep the birds in until I get to the field with the dog. Any advice on this subject would be great.

Thanks everyone!
 

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When I was training my GSP we could NOT use California quail for training. We either used bobwhite quail or pigeons. Pigeons when training dog for steady to point, flush and wing. The bobwhite were used at trials for shooting and retieving. The pigeons were put in quick release traps. When the dog went on point, the pigeon would be released and the dog made to be steady to wing when the bird was released. It would progress to steady to shot after that was mastered. You will need a 20 or 30' check cord/leash for that type of training.
 
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