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Bird Introduction for the Pointing
Puppy – 3 Step Method
I have been
breeding and training German Shorthaired
Pointers for over 15 years. During
this time, I have determined that
the opportune time window to introduce
pups to quail is 10 to 13 weeks of
age, before that, their attention
span is too short and much after that,
they are too fast and agile to work
with pen raised birds with success.
I use nature’s tools and the
pup's natural instincts to facilitate
the introduction. The check cord will
be used only at the 3rd step if needed
due to the pups age and ability to
run faster.
Step
1: You will need 3 quail
and your pup. 1) Pull the primary
flight feathers on both wings from
the first quail and allow the pup
to chase, catch and carry the quail,
only positive encouragement from you.
2) Pull the primary flight feathers
from one side of the second quail,
this will allow the quail to “flutter”
in the air and gets the pup really
excited. Allow the pup to chase and
catch. 3) Do not pull any feathers
from this quail, put it to sleep and
plant it where the scent cone will
be easy for the pup to locate. Walk
the pup around the area until it smells
the scent cone. The pup may point,
but will usually pounce and the quail
will fly away.
Step
2: One to two weeks following
Step 1 – Again you will
need 3 quail. 1) If the pup is lacking
interest, you may need to repeat #2
from Step 1. 2) Plant the quail where
the pup will not have too much trouble
locating the scent cone. Walk the
pup around the birds until the pup
locates the scent cone on it own.
The pup may pounce on the 1st or 2nd
one, but the quail will fly away and
the pup will not be able to catch
it.
Note: By the end of Step 2, 75 % of
the pups are pointing and holding
their points.
Step
3: One to two weeks following
Step 1 – Again you will
need 3 quail. Repeat #2 from Step
2. You can, at this step, introduce
the check cord. Let the pup drag the
cord. When the pup goes on point,
hold the end of the cord giving the
pup about 4 foot of slack. Stand on
the cord so you are not tempted to
pull the pup back. When the pup pounces
on the bird and the bird flies away,
the pup will hit the end of the cord
when, or if, it chases. Do not give
any verbal commands, this will allow
the pup to “learn” that
it can not chase.
Note:
By the end of Step 3, 100% of the
pups should be pointing and holding
their points.
You can keep
repeating Step 3 for as long as you
need to. I use the check cord as described
in Step 3 when I begin to shoot birds
for the pup (it then becomes a two
person job, one to stand on the cord,
and one to flush and shoot the birds).
This allows the pup to “learn”
that they must be steady.
When the pup
does point, do not say anything and
stand perfectly motionless. This allows
the pup to learn that the bird will
not move if he doesn’t move,
and since the pup has learned he can
not catch the bird if he chases, he
will be more apt to hold the point.
Less is Better. Do not feel that you
need to put the pup on birds several
times a week. Putting the pup on birds
once a week or once every two weeks
is adequate. You want to take it slow
and easy at this young age.
Silent is
better. I refrain from using verbal
commands with young pups. This allows
them to “learn” and not
have to be taught.
By
Cindy Stahle
Honey Run Shorthairs www.honeyrunshorthairs.com
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