Switching a duck dog to a pheasant dog

[sdhunter]

Hey guys,

I know there is some iterest in this subject. I run 3 preserves up on South Dakota. I purchased a fully trained lab a couple of years a go. What i didn't know was she was trained more for ducks. When we would upland game hunt she would walk beside me till someone shot a bird then she would go get it. Annoying. Anyone else have this problem. I am not a Trainer. When i get a dog i need it to work. I just don't have time to do the training. We work with a kennel in Indiana. What they told me to do with this dog is, get to spots that you know has alot of birds in it, (not tuff to find in South Dakota) and let the dog chase the birds. It gets them excited and used to the sent. It probably took 2 weeks of this and she has not looked back. Everyonce in a while when she gets tired she will walk beside but who doesn't get tired.
Hope this helps.

Sal

[gspsonny03]

I don't see anything unusual about this. It'll just take a little more working with upland game scent to get her where you want her. If she doesn't come around to the way you want her, get another pointing dog and use her as a flushing dog, that way you have the best of both worlds. She was obviously trained for waterfowl and not upland game, but if you keep working her in upland scent, I think she'll be fine.

[Valigator]

I think she would be fine too....but it seems bird dogs like commands...they like me talking to them......dont look at it as training....just a new venture....good dogs, love to please....hey guess that the chicks version of advise....I am laughing....