Anyone else hunt a young dog this weekend?

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My lab is 11 months old, was professionally trained and was exposed to birds and gunfire in training. Opener consisted of a lot of driving, public land and a lot of walking for no birds (2 hens flushed all day). My pup after not long into the day seemed to lose interest, and eventually was walking near me, and sometimes behind me. When I got home I was very disappointed in her performance, but thinking about it, I hope her disinterest was due to simple boredom and lack of reward/success. I will be taking her to the game farm next week.

Looking for your thoughts / opinions / experiences.

[Pherris]

The game farm is a great idea. I also had my dog professionally trained and the trainer said it is important to make sure the dog has success the first few times out and recommended the game farm route. I did that and can't say for sure it made a difference but she always hunts very well even when we don't get birds and does not lose interest.

The first few times I took her to a game farm I had birds planted so I knew she would be successful but then I did a couple of game farm hunts only for scratch birds. The first 2 times she did not find a bird so just before we left the second time I kenneled her and went and got 1 bird planted it myself so I knew she would find it. I don't think 1 bad hunt will have any lasting damage just make sure you get her some success on her game farm hunt. The first time I took her to the gam farm I had them put flags where the birds were located so I knew I could get her on one early. Good luck with your pup!

[mwal]

I would also suggest the game farm. Your pup got bored as it did not run into any scent or birds. In training it was set up to find birds quickly and they were there each time. It just got bored after exercising enough. I saw that Sat with my buddies younger lab. He did not find anything till last walk of the day. He flushed hen then he was like a vacuum cleaner out there trying to find another. 10 minutes before it was hard to get him to stay out front. My older dog hunted the whole time. So I wouldn't worry just expose to some birds and sorry to say the game farm will be the best choice this year. After hunting my opening spot since 1978 i think this is the worst I have seen it. Only 1 hen flushed and 1 rooster. My uncle is retired and drives around just to watch birds and wildlife he also uses trail camera on paths in CRP to remotely watch birds and he says they are just not there the late winter killed a lot and the snow in June took out the nest of the few left. This is down in Lyon/Murray county. Plus the lack of habitat is scary.

Mwal

[MEP]

We had our 18 month old and 7 month old labs out for about two hours on Saturday. My goal was to get one bird that the young one could put pick up. About 1/2 hour into the hunt 18 month old flushed and retrieved bird which young dog could then pick up. Seemed like the light switch went on and she knew what she was doing. She did flush a hen later on. Ended with three birds and extremly happy with dogs.

I agree with the above suggestions she needs to get on birds.

[Shorelunch]

I hunted my 5 1/2 month old lab this weekend. I introduced her to guns a few weeks ago but haven't had the opportunity to introduce her to live birds (can't find clipped pigeons in the "greater" Bemidji area). Anyway, because we may not get back out pheasant hunting again in ND, I took her with.

Had her on a check cord the first walk but she stayed pretty close to me, so didn't have to use one afterwards. She got "birdy" often and chased up a couple single hens on her own along with a decent sized flock on her own. Was pretty cool to see. She also dragged a few dead roosters by the neck back to me. I was going to do my best to not to let her get after a wounded rooster, but thankfully all were shot dead.

Still would like to get her to a game farm and still find some pigeons.

[onthefly]

I wouldn't worry... Your dog's young. Attention span and focus seem to develop with age. Mine is 17 months and I had him out for his first "real" pheasant hunt, too. There were a few times his energy level dropped off (mine did too!). Usually responded to "hunt 'em up" pretty well. But no roosters... He flushed 3 hens, though, and that along with heaps of praise seemed to help his confidence even though I didn't shoot. I let him chase those hens in the air for a loooooong time, when it was safe to do so.

But, if you go out every time and never shoot a bird, I gotta believe that could effect a dog's drive. But, then again, most labs bred for hunting just like being outside running anyway. Definitely a few "softballs" at a game farm wouldn't hurt anything.

My guess is that the context (shotgun, other dogs, your energy) can supercharge a dog's confidence once they realize that "hunt em up" means if you find a bird out here, I'll shoot it and you get to track/retrieve it. And that will all come together as you hunt more, find birds and have success.

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Thanks guys....those are the words I was hoping to hear. I won't lose hope yet.

[ckgsp]

I have a few birds left in the flight pen if you need birds. Our farm is in carver so we are close by. We had our two 1 year old shorthair girls out on opener and we did get about 40 points on birds but they were all hens. Our Girls have a really hard drive, they both have had about 300 birds shot over them this summer. the best thing is to get your dog on birds birds and more birds.

[mcnasty]

my dog did the same thing her first year. dont worry about it.

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ckgsp -

I would definitely be interested in contacting you for some birds, especially since you are in Carver. If still available, can you email me at [email protected] to see if we can arrange something? Thanks.