Hello Fellow Hunters,

I am doing a study concerning the affects of steel shot on cripples and developing a training program to decrease the percentage of lost birds.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HFGP7ZC

Thank you so much for your time and input.

Looking forward to a great season,

Rick

I didn't take the survey but is that not what our dogs do?

"Our" is a very broad brush. No its not. Seen many "retrievers" not retriever cripples or even down birds before. I've seen lots of dogs not have that much interest in cripples or owner/trainers emphasize tracking on water.

By the sound of the survey you seem like you are thinking of developing a product. Most of the things mentioned in the above post and with non retrieval of cripples in general is a handler issue not a dog issue. Live birds should be introduced as puppies. There is a reason that we look for boldness, courage and perseverance.

Hmm, I'm still green but never thought that a dog would go after a downed bird and not retrieve it cause it wasn't dead.

Seen it many a time. The flapping and quacking spook the dog. Or if it's too far for the dog in the dogs mind. It's also the tracking part that ive seen lacking. Many dogs also do not have the prey drive to track and fetch a cripple that has fallen a ways off. I love my versatile dog that tracks on land and water and has tons of prey drive. Never lost a cripple for me yet.

I agree with Tony, early intro to live birds, strong drive in a pup, and lots of training.

From your survey
9. When training the dog, did you find it useful to go from small to large, or did you just use one size fits all?

Yes, I start small and work towards larger birds.
My dog trained on plenty of (dead & live) quail,chukar, pigeons,and ducks. I didn't have a problem introducing him to retrieving dove, pheasant, and geese on hunts.

That's 50% a training issue and 50% a dog issue. Unfortunately a person cannot just go out and buy a "retriever" and expect it to be a hunting dog, especially when bargain shopping. If on the other hand you do have enough dog, just about any program out there already trains a dog that will pick up cripples. That's IF the dog has had good basics. As I have said before, your dog should be picking up clipped wing pigeons as a puppy. You should know long before their first hunting season and even before they start formal training if they will pick up a live bird or not.

My boy is fine with cripple doves, quail, and chuckers, but a winged Pheasant got him.

My boy @ 9 mos...

Mine start out as tiny pups and become very confident on live birds. I didn't care if she brought me her first bird by its head. All that mattered at that point was she chased it down, and brought me her prize to show it off.


So flapping wings in the face are no problem. In fact I think they like it.

Nice pics Kindall. That's the way its done!

Hell ya they like it!

Be it big birds.





Or Small birds.

Yeah, that's what i'm talking about!! Thanks for sharing...