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don't want to solely just do "gone-aways"
or pup will stop flushing birds or flush them but not mark the
fall of the birds that you do shoot because pup will anticipate
your command and come back early. It is important to do a few
"gone-aways" until pup gets the basic idea. Then shoot
a couple for him to retrieve, then let one fly away as a test
to see if "gone-away" is really working. At this point
you have the command down pat and you can now practice a bit
more and you will have a nice, well trained gun dog for fall.
For the older dog or dog that proceeds to chase to the next county,
or the dog that is just not getting it at all Carry a dead bird
or clip in your pocket to toss when you get pups attention, this
will take his mind off the flying bird and onto the one that
will fall. Say "gone-away" (and recall on your whistle),
and then if you can catch the dogs attention, toss that dead
bird or clip wing high into the air. This will get the dog the
reward he wants for following your command of "gone-away".
Good luck!!
Tony Roettger of Roettger Ridge Kennels hails from North Branch,
MN
It has been a life long dream of mine to become a dog trainer.
I went "Pro" five years ago after running a few dogs
in the AKC Hunt Test program and a few Springer and Cocker Field
Trials. I also was heavily involved in the Minnesota Hunting
Spaniel Association's field training sessions on the weekends.
I attempted to stay an Amateur for quite some time. I finally
gave that up when someone wanted me to train their gun dog. Then
more came. I train flushing dogs with Cockers and Springer's
being my dog of choice as both gun dogs as well as for Hunt Tests
and Field Trials. I have an occasional pointing dog to train
but that is not my forte'. I have a strong competitive drive
that keeps me into the Field Trial game. I will always train
gun dogs; Field Trial dogs are an addiction as well as a passion.
They are not for the faint of heart. Winning a field trial is
an awesome experience but to then take that Field Champion on
a pheasant hunt to South Dakota or Iowa makes that dog worth
its weight in gold.
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