As a routine no don't use them to train however have used them as a training session of opportunity. Have a cedar row along the property and had fledgling Grackles/cowbirds in the yard. Made for good point, hold and me pickup for the pup. Did it damage her?
Her first season and I think we did okay so far.
Yup she is a poser. One on my fav's is the one with the pheasants. She's got that "Ya I did that" look. At some point hope to capture the look she gives me when I miss. All I can say makes you really don't want to miss.
Dilly/Welsh, you are dead on in my books. Dogs not only know game birds from song-type birds, they know woodcock from grouse, etc. and will point them with quite a diverse style/posture.
Using starlings et al is unequivocally a recipe for disaster.
Fff, I once ran a dog in a trial and finally found success even though my mentor had been telling me for some time my dog was awesome. When I finally reached this pinnacle, I proudly walked back from the bird field with my dog to say to my mentor, "He did really well didn't he?!?"
My mentor responded, "Yup...he did, in spite of his handler (meaning me)."
Your gorgeous setter might overcome treating starlings as game because she is one SUPER dog.
Last edited by Ugo; February 21st, 2016 at 11:25 AM.
Dilly/Welsh, you are dead on in my books. Dogs not only know game birds from song-type birds, they know woodcock from grouse, etc. and will point them with quite a diverse style/posture.
Using starlings et al is unequivocally a recipe for disaster.
Fff, I once ran a dog in a trial and finally found success even though my mentor had been telling me for some time my dog was awesome. When I finally reached this pinnacle, I proudly walked back from the bird field with my dog to say to my mentor, "He did really well didn't he?!?"
My mentor responded, "Yup...he did, in spite of his handler (meaning me)."
Your gorgeous setter might overcome treating starlings as game because she is one SUPER dog.
..... or maybe I know what I'm doing. As someone who has no interest in charging for my opinion I'll just enjoy the hunts with my dogs as I see fit.
Dilly/Welsh, you are dead on in my books. Dogs not only know game birds from song-type birds, they know woodcock from grouse, etc. and will point them with quite a diverse style/posture.
Using starlings et al is unequivocally a recipe for disaster.
Fff, I once ran a dog in a trial and finally found success even though my mentor had been telling me for some time my dog was awesome. When I finally reached this pinnacle, I proudly walked back from the bird field with my dog to say to my mentor, "He did really well didn't he?!?"
My mentor responded, "Yup...he did, in spite of his handler (meaning me)."
Your gorgeous setter might overcome treating starlings as game because she is one SUPER dog.
Hey. You said that to me once.... when I used to look at where I thought the dog was and call instead of calling in the opposite direction. LOL ..... which I appreciated as it was a learning experience.
" We are more than our gender, skin color, class, sexuality or age; we are unlimited potential, and can not be defined by one label." quote A. Bartlett