An Idiots Guide To Handling Working Dogs

Assuming that your dog has been trained well and is ready to enter the shooting field, here are some useful tips for novice handlers

Introduce Yourself and Be Cautious

Introduce yourself to the gamekeeper and explain that you are inexperienced and would appreciate help and advice in order to be a useful part of the beating/picking-up team. Make contact with the person in charge of the beaters or pickers-up and ask to be guided where to stand or what beat to cover. If you are hoping to pick up for a particular gun ask if a few of the guns birds can be left for your young dog to get some experience.

Keep careful control of your dog and err on the side of caution until you can see how things are run on the shoot. Every shoot and every gamekeeper is different. Do not be afraid to keep the dog on its slip lead even though you believe him to be steady.

Don't Compete with Other Pickers Up

Make sure if you are picking up that your dog is steady to shot and fall of game. Many guns allow their “peg dogs” to run in with the excuse that it is the most efficient method of picking runners. DO NOT BE TEMPTED. It only takes a second to give the command if you want your dog to go. Watch these guns and you will soon see that their dogs start running as soon as they lift the gun before the shot and before knowing whether the bird has been hit. It is even worse when they have two dogs at heel and they both end up tugging at either end of the bird. NEVER EVER compete with other pickers up for birds for your dog to retrieve. It is extremely frustrating to stand with your dog obediently at your side while others let their dogs pick everything in front of you and everyone else on the shoot. However your time will come and you can be pleased with yourself for keeping your dog under control and using the out of control dogs as a training exercise!

Start Easy

If your dog is inexperienced wait until each drive is over and the whistle has been blown before your send your dog. Pick the nearest easiest birds by hand while the dog sits and watches then send your dog with clear arm signals to fetch the birds of your choosing. If the dog is already picking runners send your dog for these first and as soon as you can. Ask the keeper before the start of the day whether you are to pick runners during the shooting. Always leave the dead birds until last.

Be Aware of Where The Next Drive Is

If you are joining the picking up team you will be directed where to stand and asked to cover one or more guns. Try to remember where birds have fallen and count how many are down. Always check before a drive if there are any areas in which you should not pick up even if you have seen birds down. You will not be thanked, even if you successfully collect
birds, if you do so it in the middle of the next drive!

Make sure you can dispatch wounded game cleanly and do so immediately wounded birds come to hand. Make sure your dog does not touch birds in a pile or on the game strap or in the game bag and teach it to ignore the trashing of a wounded bird which you have just dispatched.

Beating With Your Dog

If you are in the beating line, keep your hunting dog closely under control and within its “beat”. Take great care that it does not run forward and cause havoc by chasing or flushing birds that the beating line have been carefully trickling towards the flushing point. This is one of the greatest sins since it can ruin a drive for the guns if the birds all fly at once and will certainly earn you the wrath of the keeper big time. Don’t be afraid to call the dog to heel or put him on the lead if you can see lots of birds ahead.

Never take the easy route while everyone else, and their dogs, are in the thickest cover. You won’t be asked back if you and your dog are not prepared to do the work. Your dog is there to hunt areas of cover that beaters cannot get into so encourage him into the thicket.

Training On The Shooting Field

The shooting field is a place for trained dogs but some training must be done in the shooting situation as it is impossible to replicate anywhere else. If your dog gets excited and becomes disobedient do not be afraid to put it on the lead, reprimand it or give it a shake but never administer excessive punishment on a shoot. This is not a training day and guns and workers alike are out for an enjoyable day, they do not want it ruined by you getting mad with your dog.

Reflection On The Day's Hits...and Misses!

At the end of the day thank the keeper and your fellow dog handlers and after feeding and making you canine partner comfortable reflect on how the day went, what you could do to improve your dogs’ performance and how to progress with your training. It will be worth it as there are few things more satisfying than a complement about your well trained dog or that stunning retrieve of a runner.

About the Author
Luise Janniche works her dogs on driven and walked up shoots, but specialises in working her pointer breeds on Scottish moors during the grouse counting and shooting season. She also owns the Scottish manufacturing company, Tuffies, producing durable, warm and top quality dog beds. Keeping her dogs in top condition is a passion clearly reflected in Tuffies products.