Scott Linden Outdoors

Okay, so at some point Flick will be steady to wing, shot, and fall. A “finished” pointer. At least in my book. Others have their own definition of finished, their own expectation for a dog standing his birds, or very good reasons for a dog to “break” at some point in the flush-shot-fall sequence.

That’s fine. But I’m finding more and more reasons for a dog that holds his birds even when they thunder off, unscathed. Hunt tests and field trials, of course. Safety when hunting with um, let’s call them eager shooters. A better mark on birds, or the chance for a second flush undisturbed by a dog careening through what’s left of the covey. All are valid and part of my rationale.

[Can I editorialize for a minute? Let’s just agree that “finished” is what each dog’s owner wants it to be. Yes, to many of us, a quivering pointer, feet nailed to the ground as a 15-bird covey rockets into the air is our standard. For others, a dog that flushes after a brief pause is the perfect dog. If you think that person and that dog are inferior, keep your opinions to your own blog and feel free to quit following this one.]

So we are on the way. Again, everything in small doses and with goals that are age-appropriate. Flick turned nine months old yesterday, so a polished performance isn’t my expectation. I want to see the right overall behavior and at nine months, it’s pretty basic. (Note that many trainers and hunters like to let their pups run and chase flushed birds to their heart’s content, building desire. If their dog needs that, fine.)

Today, our goal is NOT to chase, but to stand calmly either by “whoa” command or scent. Then, stand in the same spot as a pigeon trampolines into the air from a launcher. He doesn’t have to remain frozen to the ground … in fact, he can turn to “mark” the flushing bird. And then to stay there, relaxed and calm before being heeled away from the flush location. My theory is, the longer he can stay peaceful after a flush, the better. He won’t learn to chase, flush on his own, or creep, and I won’t have to un-teach those habits.

So here’s the “Slow”: I’m walking him slowly on a lead, and stopping him where he can see the bird flush (but not the launcher). It is barely visible in the distance for the first couple weeks of learning. The wind is going away from the dog so no scent complicates matters. As he gets some miles on him, I’ll bring him closer to the birds. When he is holding well, I’ll bring him in downwind, but at several dozen yards away and getting him closer over the weeks. Eventually, the birds will be loose, wild, walking around, in groups, different species or waved in front of his fuzzy face.

The “Steady” is just that: our long-term goal.

Wish us both luck.