Pigeons and puppies?

[BLACKJACK]

When do you guys feel is the best time to start using pigeons when training a lab puppy? And how do you go about it? Just clip a wing and throw it out for a retrieve? Or bind the wings and throw it out? One of the problems that I've encountered with puppys and pigeons and/or wings is that they don't want the regular throwing dummy once you bring out the wing or pigeon.

Thanks for any insites that you may have. I was contemplating waiting until I can keep the pigeons in a cage outside without their water freezing because they are filthy little devils.

[Ruttin' Buck]

I have a litter of labs now and I was contemplating putting one in with them. I've read alot of training articles that say this helps the puppies associate the smell of birds with 'fun'...which of course is what hunting is always supposed to be to them.

I'd say any time would be a good time as long as your fella doesn't kill it and chew it up...bad habit.

[Swamp Scooter]

I like to test out the young pups to see how they react at a young age. A pup becomes an individual at about 49 days old. They start to react on their own and this is the time I usually temperment test them and rate them for going to a new owner.

Bird exposure is invaluable but do not overuse it. I use pigeons and instead of clipping feathers I tie a piece of cardboard to one leg. They can still jump and fly but not too far. Works great for pointers. Kicking up one for a flusher would work too.

Do not let them eat it. I would use a check cord to keep them from a delayed chase. This helps with the steady to shot and not breaking later on.

[Mr. B]

Just a quick question my 1.5 year old lab will not retrieve a pigeon or frozen birds. I have not done any force-breaking (I think this is what is called)and since she has retieved any bird I managed to shoot is this something I should really worry about?