Big Step

Hey guys/gals: Long Post
So me and a buddy went out yesterday duck hunting and my whole day was dedicated to working my dog "Camo". I didn't take my gun as I was going to just focus on him. If there were no birds flying we would work the bumper, and if there were I would see mostly what he would do. He has never seen an actual bird.
A little history. Camo is from a line of Master Hunters, and was bought at a big discount because he came from a friend of ours. His retrieve drive is extremely high and he is a good dog but still need to sure up some obedience stuff (heal isn't good). But he has been introduced to the gun, working with him on not breaking, ect.
So I knew he wouldn't ruin the hunt for anyone if I work him yesterday.
After retreiving a decoy that I threw out and draining some energy out of him, (an impossible task) some ducks finally came.
A bird was shot and fell into the wood behind us. Neither I nor Camo saw where it landed, but the shooter described where it fell.
After a couple mins of searching I saw it way back in the woods. I sent Camo on the line, and saw him sniff a couple times. Like I said he has never seen a real duck before. After two sniffs he picks it up just as gentle as he can and brings it right to me. Sits down and gives me the bird.
Anyway I'm as proud as can be. Still got a lot of work to do, but great step here.

And the world stood still.

greatness

It's wonderful to see the light come on!

Good deal. Forrest

I'd suggest taking a bumper or throw a stick instead. Don't want the dog thinking a decoy is meant to be retrieved.

haha no man I wasn't throwing decoys for him to retrieve, he had him bumper for that. But he saw me throw them, and he brings back anything that is thrown.
Lesson learned until I can teach him to just leave it, don't throw decoys in front of him.

It's really awesome when you see an instant where instinct kicks in and the dog do what God programed them to do. Lots can be taught but, some things are just natural. Some of my favorite hunts I've been on my gun never came off the tree. Working with a dog is way more fun to me than pulling the trigger.

Lesson for you in there as well triple 7. Only play fetch with bumpers or birds.

When I had my chocolate female, I'd rather just watch her work. Felt like my job was to shoot something so she could have fun. When she couldn't go anymore, I pretty much quit duck hunting.



OP, congrats! You've got a lot of fun years ahead.