If you were going pheasant hunting with a new lab, what are the absolutely essential skills she must have before you would take her out for her first season?

Force fetched and quartering. She would have to quarter close and deliver to hand. I don't care that she sits to the flush. I've lost too many wild birds that way. You'd swear they were dead when you shot them but they hit the ground running. I want my dog there when they fall.

Angie

I agree with Angie except I am a sit to flush kind of guy. There is no right or wrong with either though.

Whistle sit/remote sit. So you can stop the dog if they get out of gun range or if you want to get closer before the flush. The dog will need to be very steady on this to the point that you can stop them even when the excitement level is very high. It's a must for a flushing dog, IMO.

All the above is important but you also should do some kind of gun conditioning first. I have seen people take their dogs out for a first hunt and the first bird a duck, pheasant, or dove and everyone shoots and it freaks the dog out.

jason

Instead of making the dog sit while everyone catches up,,, I prefer to teach a dog to quarter tight to the guns.

Angie

How tight to the guns Angie? I think that would be easier to manage than a whistle sit, but I'm not positive.

Thanks for all the help guys. It is very much appreciated.

Within gun range. Around 15-20 yards max.

You're welcome!!

Angie

I am happy if they are obedient and can flush or retrieve 1 bird. One of my labs had never seen a pheasant before, and after a few hours, she was very impressive.

I would require more if hunting with folks I didn't know though, just for the safety of the dog.

Any flushing dog needs to work within gun range otherwise they wont do you much good.

The whistle sit is great for all kinds of situations you run into in an upland field. If you miss a bird and your dog starts chasing a flyer into the next county you can stop them. If you see trash game such as coons or skunks you can stop your dog before the chase starts. If you have a low flying bird you can stop the dog to be safe. There is no way I would take a flushing dog on a hunt with out it knowing that.

I'm of the opinion of "let the dog hunt". In other words I don't worry about how tight their pattern is or the exact distance. As long as there actively in pursuit of birds and within gun range, just let them hunt. Most dogs quarter pretty naturally it's not something you really have to teach them. It's instinct.