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Finally, a Tri-Tronics e-collar solution that worked!

May 16, 2012 by Scott

Do you have a Tri-Tronics Upland G3 collar with beeper? Don’t you love it? The ability to turn the beeper on and off remotely to locate your dog as he streaks across the next canyon is a godsend. But maybe you’ve been as hair-pullingly frustrated as I have getting the dang thing to work right.

What I mean is, you gotta turn the beeper on manually, then before putting the collar on the dog, turn it off again with the handheld remote. And believe me, it’s been a real battle here.

My faith is restored, though. After four unsuccessful attempts, I finally got the right information from Tri-Tronics’ service department and will share it here with you. It’s all in the configuration of the two collar components when you are ready to turn the beeper off with the handheld transmitter. I’ve been holding the collar like this, then hitting the green button on the transmitter:

 

Doh! In this arrangement, the receiver won’t send it’s signal to the beeper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instead, hold it like it would be if the dog were wearing it:

And all is right in the world again.

You’re welcome.

Posted in dog training, hunting dog | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments »

My “Sport Utility Building” is up and running

May 14, 2012 by Scott

Ow, my aching back! But it’s a good problem to have, when you’ve spent the weekend building a new writing cabin in the backyard. Oh, I had help. Ron, Colleen, and Pasha from EZ Logs USA as well as my lovely wife Karen did the majority of the work. And now, I can testify to the utilitarianism, versatility and downright cool factor of these incredible do it yourself “sport utility buildings.”

Yep, one weekend, and a functional, beautiful man cave-hiding place-art studio-you name it place of your own. And I’m helping them find dealers throughout the U.S. for these great European buildings. Find out more here.

Here is a quick summary of the weekend:

The site, Saturday 9 a.m.

Cinder blocks and foundation boards …

Walls going up – just like Lincoln Logs.

And the roof.

5 p.m. Sunday: Way to go everyone! Thanks.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments »

Ronnie Smith endorses my Real Bird Bumper!

May 11, 2012 by Scott

Looks good right there, doesn’t it?

Great news! My the Real Bird Bumper® has been endorsed by well-known dog trainer and seminar leader Ronnie Smith. I’ve become a convert to Ronnie and his cousin Rick’s training philosophy after a seminar at Pheasant Fest. Maybe you are too?  Known for the “Silent Command System” of training seminars and DVDs developed with his cousin Rick, Ronnie said this about my Bumper:

“Realistic training aids help all dogs to be better prepared and more successful in the field. Because of the realistic feel and nature of the Real Bird Bumper®, we incorporate it into our training program at Ronnie Smith Kennels.”

I developed the Real Bird Bumper® to solve his own training problems but soon myself making and giving copies to friends. When a local company opened the door to a design-distribution deal I jumped on it.

It is manufactured in Bend, Ore. of all U.S.-sourced, non-toxic materials. Available in pheasant and quail sizes, it is the same weight, shape, and size as a real bird. The body is limp and floppy like a shot bird with a loose “skin” to simulate a bird’s. It has an articulated wing to familiarize dogs with the challenges of navigation while “blindfolded,” has no extraneous hard plastic parts to poke a dog’s eye or encourage head grabbing, and it floats.

Smith’s endorsement joins that of pro trainer/author George Hickox, “Hunting with Hank’s” Dez Young, NAVHDA founder Ed Bailey, and hundreds of satisfied pro and amateur trainers nationwide. Take a look at it here.

The Smith family has been training fine bird dogs for over 60 years. Ronnie and Rick Smith’s training videos, seminar schedule and other information is available here.

Smith added: “We train for top performance, whether working with field trial prospects, personal hunting, or commercial guide dogs.  “Realistic training aids help all dogs to be better prepared and more successful in the field. Because of the realistic feel and nature of the Real Bird Bumper, we incorporate it into our training program at Ronnie Smith Kennels.”

Posted in bird hunting, dog training, hunting dog, News | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments »

DVDs now available!

May 9, 2012 by Scott

All three seasons of Wingshooting USA now on disk! Get all the action, as often as you like. More details here.

Maybe you weren’t there, but now you CAN be.

Posted in dog training, hunting dog | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Road to Utility Test: the honorable way to train

May 7, 2012 by Scott

“Backing,” honoring, whatever you want to call it, there are at least two types I know of. The one we’re all familiar with,  where one dog points and the other dog slams into a pseudo-point when he sees the first dog. Eventually, Manny and I will get to that.

Beyond the Bumper to birds … with an audience.

I wonder if the other honor that teaches self-discipline, control and maybe even a better retrieve? As you know, we’ve been working on one dog watching, waiting patiently while his bracemate brings back my Real Bird Bumper and other stuff. But lately we’ve been using real birds. And it’s having the desired effect.

Both Buddy and Manny are more energetic on their runout to the bird, lusting for feathered prey. But (luckily) they are each disciplined enough to execute the command, and there is the envy factor: “gee, if I don’t get it, he will.” It’s a test of wills for all three of us.

So far, so good. It’s not in any NAVHDA test until the Invitational, but I’m wondering if the simple act of deferring to another dog (in addition to the human) adds another layer of complexity. And thus, perhaps, challenges their intellect.

While writing this, I realized how lucky I am having a pigeon loft just 34 steps from my dog-training area. As George Hickox so well put it: “No birds, no bird dog.” If you don’t have birds nearby, how do you do it? Where do you find them, what do you pay, how often do you get them?

Posted in bird hunting, dog training, hunting dog | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

A new addition (edition?)

May 5, 2012 by Scott

What’s going on here? Spent the day clearing and leveling a pad for our new “Sportsmen’s Structure.” It’ll serve as my wife’s art studio, man cave and writing cabin for me (now do you get the pun in the headline?). I’m helping the company on TV to recruit dealers, so you’ll soon be seeing more on the show. And here. And here, when we build it next weekend. Interested in learning more? Send me a note at scottlindenoutdoors@gmail.com.

Before, a neglected corner in an otherwise nice yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The grubbing begins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the thick of things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready for the new structure. Stay tuned.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments »

Road to Utility Test: steady, steady … attaboy(s)

May 3, 2012 by Scott

A while back – now, it counts for real.

We are making progress. Manny and Buddy – a team again – are getting steadier by the day. Our past three days:

1. Flanking the whoa table, with Rick Smith’s waist-rope “point of contact,” the guys were attentive and still when the pigeon was fluttered, flapped and waved in front of them. Not too close, but closer than usual. Ditto when brought downwind of a launcher. They stood side-by-side (actually, Buddy gets first position, Manny learns manners).

2. Retrieves are also more than simple fetching drills now. Each honors their bracemate, learning patience and more manners.

3. Next day, the rope was simply draped over their flanks, a tap reinforced the point of contact but no waist wrap. Birds – flap – steady again. And earnest, purposeful “duck search” on dry land for the little guy afterward with a soft-mouthed retrieve after a momentary point upon discovery of the pigeon.

4. Today, no rope, no table. Dogs loose in the yard, I showed the pigeon and they froze. Big waves, major flaps, up-close- and-personal distance. Like statues.

Now, I’ve probably jinxed it.

Posted in bird hunting, dog training, hunting dog, News | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

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