Introduction to Birds

Most bird dogs are born “crazy” about birds!!

When an article begins with the statement, “In a perfect world…”, if you’re like me, you know that you’re not likely to meet the conditions that follow. As a young man, one of the items in my perfect world would have included birds (preferably wild) for training bird dogs.

Joining a local bird dog club allowed access to properties, birds (generally, fluttering quail), and a mentor with pigeons for a few training sessions a year. Snagging feral pigeons from hay barns was another source of bonus birds but, like most of us, I had no way of maintaining a source of birds for consistent training.

Alas, robins or kildeer - perhaps a stray covey of suburban valley quail - inhabiting vacant lots and parks around town, kindled the enthusiasm of many a fine dog during adolescent training. That, and the Richard Wolters’ wing-on-a-string method; a’ la the text, “Gun Dog: Revolutionary Rapid Training Method” by Richard Wolters.

Moving out of town, building a coop, and locating a source of homing pigeons got me started toward helping others train their dogs. Reminded of where it was that I came from - while keeping in mind that maintenance has a cost - I enjoy training dogs and their owners for, what amounts to, pigeon feed.

The introduction of young dogs to birds generally takes one session to determine the dog’s level of interest. Beginning with a few “fly-away” birds to excite the dog, the session usually ends with a friendly association with a bird and (momentarily) holding point; the true beginnings of pointing bird dog creation. Due to, a very large extent, the centuries of careful breeding, this practice enjoys a very high degree of success by kindling the desire for game.

Tossing a few “fly-away” birds, after the dog holds still, begins the process.

However, I once owned a dog that didn’t have any interest in pigeons. Not only wouldn’t point one, the dog would totally avoid pigeons! I later learned from the breeder that many of his dogs had to be trained using quail (or similar gallinaceous fowl) due to the complete lack of interest in pigeons. Thank goodness that has been my lone experience with this very rare response!

“The only way to train your Rastafarian Draht-Faced Putz-a-Doodle Pointer is…” - or - “Meditation and Dog Training For…”

Book or article titles like these make me roll my eyes. I hope that you have developed a thick layer of skepticism to these kinds of statements. Through research, you will find similar training tactics among reputable trainers. By now, anything “revolutionary” in upland dog training will likely be electronic. Anything else, should be cautiously explored. If it’s been done by hundreds of trainers for hundreds of years, I tend to lean in that direction.

Several factors, including the availability of training birds, location, equipment, and time – even the dog’s personality - will often determine which method(s) will work best. Some young pups can be so timid that even a slight beating by flapping bird wings can cause fright. It may be preferable to keep the wings harnessed during initial bird introduction. That’s the advantage of learning a dog’s personality and using various training styles and tools; being capable of adapting to situations as they are presented.

I place pigeons in a wing harness when pups are young and/or timid.

Without access to training birds or a place to use them, the yard or local park is what you’re left with. The process I used on several dogs, and has been successfully used on thousands of pointing dogs, is documented in the aforementioned book, “Gun Dog”. Yeah, it’s not ideal but, like most of us, maybe you don’t live in a perfect world?

If you can’t take advantage of our budget-friendly training location, there are the options previously mentioned. Perhaps, weeks at a boarding/training facility that is near enough to allow the occasional - crucial - involvement of you, the dog’s owner? Or, the use of a local shooting preserve to do your bird-related training; some do allow planting the birds on-site for dog training.

Not “ideal” - and definitely not bird introduction - still, the Richard Wolters yard training has worked for thousands of young dogs until birds are available.

For additional information -

Gun Dogs Online
Dog Training With Live Birds
By: George Hickcox

Gun Dogs Online
The Restrained Chase Drill
By: George Hickcox

Pointing Dog Journal
Starting The Pointing Dog Pup - Handling in the Field
By: Bob and Jody Iler

Gun Dog Mag
Birds First!
By: Dave Carty

What I’m going to chronicle in the following article(s) are methods that can be used to reinforce and hold a dog on point using birds – mostly pigeons. By studying various written materials and doing your homework with your dog, you are preparing Fido for this; the most important stage of training for your pointing dog – holding birds at point. Keeping an eye on our budget, we won’t require pheasant under glass – just pigeon under wire! More ways to - Enjoy Your Dog!

Up Next: Steady Point