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Subject: Barking at Birds

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DuckFever

Central Oregon

MH
Posts:321

08/26/2012 1:35 PM
Rowdy is one of the birdiest dogs I've ever seen, especially at just over 5 months. In fact, he gets so excited about them on his walks in the woods that he chases them and barks continuously at them, trying to get up whatever tree they're in. Obviously this is a no-can-do for hunting. At this age I'm guessing it's just excitement over these feathered creatures that his instincts tell him to go after, but I was wondering if any of you have ever had to deal with anything like this. He hasn't even been out on a hunt yet, so I don't know if he'll be like that in the field. At this point I just let him do his thing with the birds, as he seems so excited about them and I don't want to negatively reinforce that birds aren't something he should be excited about. After a few minutes I'll go get him and gently pull him away from the birds and lead him elsewhere. Any tips or advice from you guys would be much appreciated. Thanks.

The worst day of hunting is better than the best day at work.

tgatto

Lake in the Hills, IL

MH
Posts:411

08/26/2012 3:14 PM
I can relate to what you are dealing with, DF! Sadie will whine when she is on a bird - especially if the bird is moving. I think it is the bloodhound lines coming out in them. I hope she will grow out of it as well, as this is not the type of thing you can discipline out of a dog, or reinforce out IMO. Others may have a different take. My approach has been to increase work on steadiness - thinking maybe if she knows it has to be shot first, and then she will be sent on the retrieve, it will be better. Tweety-birds might be an issue for you though .

It is watching the dogs work that I thoroughly enjoy, and love. I could get by with just watching them work - if it weren't for all the training, and the joy they exhibit when they pick-up, and deilver to hand a bird that they pointed, and you shot. - Todd

DuckFever

Central Oregon

MH
Posts:321

08/26/2012 5:28 PM
Thanks tgatto. Yeah I know I can't discipline him for it, since he's showing such excitement. I think you're right about the steadiness, as I've been really working on whoa and stopping to the whistle. I'll let you know as he progresses.

The worst day of hunting is better than the best day at work.

oneal3337

Great Falls, Mt

MH
Posts:107

08/27/2012 8:06 AM
One thing is he is really young. At that age my dog loved to chase sparrows! She would chase them and make a weird sound that sounded like an excited monkey. How does he handle the birds you plant for him or the wild ones he points? One nice thing is your dog is at a great age to start his first hunting season. Just try and not to shoot any bird he doesn't point. Don't be afraid to shot some birds where he pauses for a second or two early in the season to reward him for his hard work and to help him realize if he wants the bird he better wait for you. Use this season to have fun and let him learn how to hunt. Don't over handle him. Give him a little freedom so he learns how to find birds. However, when you give him a command you enforce it! Good luck this weekend. Can't wait to get some sharpies!

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4450

08/27/2012 10:09 AM
You can handle it several ways. You could just keep doing what your doing. You could call the dog off in another direction. These are non game birds and really don't matter. Eventually your dog will lose interest in them - probably over the winter. Without seeing what's going on I will give your my opinion - I would call the dog off in another direction, before the chase/barking,etc begin and I would not allow the dog to be preoccupied/obessed with looking up into trees and barking. We need to make a distinction between productive exposure and created/enforcing unbalanced exposure.

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7844

08/27/2012 3:27 PM
I don't totally disagree with pixie, I would handle it a bit different. When you are out for fun time I would let your dog have fun and chase or do whatever, but when training on birds I would call him off and keep him working. My youngest is so gung ho on hunting that she spends all here waking hours outside hunting squirrels, tweety birds, etc, but when I get her in the field she understands she is working and pays no attention to the tweety birds aside from maybe a glance. My boy on the other hand is so particular about birds I have to use quail or other game birds to get a stylish point out of him. If I use pigeons he will point it, but with much less intensity. Let your boy be a puppy and have fun when he isn't working. They learn the difference between play time and work. Ieven make a habit of telling that we are working and they learn what that means.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

DuckFever

Central Oregon

MH
Posts:321

08/27/2012 3:41 PM
All good advice, thanks. I will probably let him do his thing in the woods and see how he does on wild birds in another week.

The worst day of hunting is better than the best day at work.

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