Close working Lab

[WalleyeDrifter]

What drills are effective for training a lab pup to hunt close? She'll be in the grouse woods and pheasant fields with me this fall. She hunted some with me last fall and my main focus was to get her on a lot of birds. We accomplished that mission but now it is time to reign her in.

[dogs]

Get yourself some pigeons, clip their wings and throw them in your a pouch.

Take the dog out and every time they go to far out or when you switch directions to keep them honest, throw out a bird and pick it up before they can. If they are in good range let them get it or call them back in when you switch directions. In a nut shell let them think you are where the birds are, reward good behavior, let em suffer(watch you get the bird) when they are not around. With jump boxes and a gun this drives it (this is a team sport) home fast.

[WalleyeDrifter]

Dogs...........thanks for the tip. I live in town and live birds will be tough for me to keep. Can I get the same results with frozen birds? I have several frozen grouse and pheasants. thanks.

[dogs]

Flapping wings really sink in. Any bird is better than nothing, let them thaw out though. Call a couple of dog trainers/kennels or game farms (chukars should be ready in a few weeks)in you area and see if they could float you couple of pigeons.

good luck