Quote Originally Posted by Lurch View Post
I used to catch pigeons under bridges etc. It's pretty easy and if you give them good shaking they will just sit in the grass till spooked.
We would go down town with a fishing net and a box, get what we needed, hold them down with a string and a stake in a field and let the dog out. Key on the dog, use the words you wish to use when starting to hunt and when training, make darn sure they understand the basic commands first. the number one thing I teach first is " eye contact " this teaches them to look at you and then teach them other things. Hunting is instinct all of the hand and other signals are all you and them. I have a GSD that alone in a field I would put any dog against as a dog hunting with other dogs she just wants to chase other dogs at first. She is 3 years old and we are trying to break her of this. I hate to say it but use a correction collier on it just incase and use it only when you absolutely have to, because this will set your training back a ton. Train often and train positive, a dog that wants to work will learn fast.
This guy is good and trains all kinds of dogs but his GSD is tops in its class. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oo6tcSxWWg he is a little hard to listen to but is good, use your whistle or I know a champion dog that still uses a clicker.
I was told and if possible use Quail for my first real hunt with a dog, because Quail have a huge scent cone. As far as Guns go, go with a friend and start the dog away from the shots and walk them into the noise, keeping ahold of them and keep letting them know that there is no reason be scared a good place for this at a clay range. I use Quail Run for this mostly because I am a member but also because they have a vast number of guns in use at the many ranges, and I can expose the dog to large bangs once i know they are okay with it. Gabby (my dog) will sit and not make a move even if a 50 Cal. gun goes off.