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We've been using some plantation/open grassland on the kind permission of a local farmer, and Keely has now flushed pheasants on 3 occasions. She really starting to get a taste for it. First pic shows her flushing then chasing for the 2nd time - the pheasants just in front of her above the rushes (excuse the photo):
Still picking up the scent where it disappeared into the plantation:
I'm concentrating on exposing her to birds as much as possible and not using anything in the way of commands (even recall) whilst up there on the hill. Now that she's flushed them a few times i'm hoping this will teach her that she wont catch the bird and hopefully bring out the point. Is this the best way to encourage her enthusiasm and encourage the point? Any ideas would be welcomed
Thanks Tgatto, i really appreciate the feedback. I've just come back from the hill again and have got an exciting update
She dragged me along the road towards the gate and as soon as i let her off she knew where she was going. She began to quarter in lengths of approx 20m and gradually reduced down to what i believe was her first proper point. Then she crept a couple of feet, froze for 30 seconds, crept another couple of feet, froze for longer, then crept forward and pointed for approx 1 minute (i was too far away to do or say anything ). She then dove in, and chased the pheasant, but gave up a lot quicker than the last couple of times. I'm so proud of her, it's just so fascinating to watch her teach herself!