Introducing Cold Game to Your Gundog Training

Taking a competent gundog out in the field should be a rewarding experience. Making it so takes a great deal of time, patience and a consistent methodical approach to training. The changeover from retrieving with dummies to game is one of those key moments in a dog’s lesson plan that needs to be handled in the right way, if you are not to spoil any progress managed to date.

With tongue firmly in cheek many knowledgeable trainers will say that the quickest way to spoil a well trained gundog is to take it shooting!

It follows then that if the basics are not fully instilled then work in the field will often prove to be the fastest route to a dog that takes control and will do as it pleases. A dog can be considered ready to handle dead game when it is consistently retrieving to hand with dummies, has a solid recall, possesses all the attributes to stop on the whistle and take directions and heel well. In other words a dog that is totally obedient and willing to work.

When I plan to introduce cold game I start the session with a few ordinary retrieves using dummies to ensure I have the dog focused on the job in hand and is demonstrating a keen desire to retrieve.

Choosing the right bird

I start with a bird that is not too big so normally choose a Partridge that has been cooled. Equally you could use a Pheasant, Pigeon, Duck or Rabbit depending on availability. A quick word of caution about Pigeons, the soft breast feathers come out very easily and fill a dog’s mouth which can be off putting, to avoid this I place pigeons in an old sock or foot of an old nylon tight to avoid the feathers coming out easily. I also place an elastic band around the body to stop the wings flapping open and potentially making it more difficult for the dog to pick and carry correctly.

Making the retrieve simple

I make the retrieves as simple as possible at first so the dog learns good habits right from the outset, if the dog begins to fuss about and change grip then I run the risk of this becoming habit forming and for unwanted ‘mouthing’ to develop. Now that the season is underway it should not be too difficult to get hold of game for training. It is a good idea when provided with an opportunity to keep a few birds wrapped up and in the freezer ready to be defrosted and used as and when required.

Just in the same way we started the dog on dummies I walk the dog at heel for a few paces carrying the bird. This gives the dog an opportunity to see and scent the bird before the retrieve exercise. I sit the dog up and place the bird down ensuring it watches and has an opportunity to ‘mark’ it.

The bird is placed out in the open in an easy position to find, remember we require the dog to succeed so keeping it simple helps to reinforce the right habits. I then turn the dog and walk back at heel for a number of yards before turning the dog back to face the run out.

I then ensure the dog is lined up facing the bird and insist on a steady focused sit, with a clear ‘get on’ I send the dog out to complete the retrieve.

If retrieving skills have been drilled in successfully it should pick the bird without hesitation and return directly back to you. Some dogs will stop to have a quick sniff and further investigation; if this happens give lots of verbal encouragement for a well drilled dog should quickly pick and return directly.

A keen retriever will focus on the bird and show no hesitation to want to pick up, this exercise becomes easier if it has been introduced carefully and the dog is well drilled to retrieve.

Ensuring a correct delivery

The next stage is to ensure a correct delivery with no desire to parade around with or mouth the bird or show a reluctance to give up to the handler. Again a well drilled retrieve and delivery helps the transition from dummies to game and the dog will be easier to handle. I always expect a nice head up willing delivery and always praise the right response.

Once the dog has become accustomed to retrieving easy seen retrieves I begin to introduce more difficult and complex exercises including ‘blinds’ and place birds in cover to encourage hunting and use of the nose.

Continue with dummy retrieves

At the completion of cold game training I go back to one or two dummy retrieves, this serves to remind the dog that it should still fetch dummies once it has been introduced to game and ensures that it will continue to be obedient to the work I set it up to complete as well as a willing pupil in further training sessions.

In the meantime if you wish to discuss any matter regarding your dogs training or require new training equipment please take time to visit www.workingdogcompany.co.uk or give Ian a call on 01462 450830.