22/09/2023
Words from a great trainer and friend! Michael D Vaughn
Your Friday Tidbit: On The Hunt Adapting- Waterfowl
With Waterfowl season approaching quickly across the Midwest states, I think it’s important to address a few things that pertain to a hunt with a young dog. People seem to think that it’s as easy as throwing the dog some bumpers or basics marks and PRESTO we got a dog ready for hunting season. There is much more to a hunt than just pulling the dog out, sitting them down and throwing basic junior marks. So let’s dive into somethings that need adapting on a hunt vs just training.
Seeing the Marks:
Seeing a mark fall in an open cut hay field or a pond with cut grass around it is much different than actual hunting. In real life hunting you and the dog need to be concealed. Therefore most likely you are sitting in long grass, cattails or standing corn. Other concealment is in layout blinds, A Frames, Pit blind etc.. So now your dog, depending on your concealment doesn’t have a full visual of where the birds are falling. So if you drop a bird that a dog doesn’t see and he isn’t trained to do Blind Retrieves you’ll have to adapt. Don’t be afraid to move and put the dog in position for a clearer line to the bird that sets them up for success, rather than just sending a dog that has no idea where it’s going. If you have to, throw something of the natural in the direction of the bird to help the dog look that way then send them. A young dog needs success and if they can’t see it, they can’t retrieve it. If they see it partially- help them get the clearest picture possible.
Sitting still: In training you pull the dog out, air them out, run your marks and put them back away. But in hunting they have to sit still for a half an hour to multiple hours depending on how the action is. Once the action starts the dog will ramp himself up since he’s been waiting so long. Lots of times they can’t contain themselves from breaking. So on a hunt you have to adapt more by simply giving the dog light “nicks” on the collar to remind them to stay seated. During down times let the young dog run around a bit and take a break from sitting still so you free their
mind and some of their energy. It’s not a bad idea to bring a bumper along so you can throw them a few retrieves. You have to teach the dog patience. When birds are coming in don’t expect the dog to just sit perfectly. You will have to give them a “Nick” on the collar frequently to remind them to sit still as they are about to be rewarded by getting a bunch of retrieves. Remember your dog was taught that when it sits, it gets rewarded with a retrieve. You have to hold those same rules On The Hunt.
Shooting next to your dog:
Shooting next to your dog with a training pistol is entirely different than 4 guys jumping up and shooting magnums over your dogs head. So I recommend when the dog is on its first hunt that you position the dog on one end or the other from the shooters so the percussion isn’t so load to the dog.. Dogs don’t mark as well in the beginning with guns going off. Lots of times a dog will look at the guys shooting rather than looking forward watching the birds fall. So it’s important that you cue the dog to stay focused forward as you jump and shoot.
Weather:
Some dogs adapt great to different weather conditions whether it’s hot or cold. But be careful of both.. If it’s hot I would leave your dog out of the dog blind so he doesn’t over heat after the retrieve. On the flip side if your dog is breaking ice to get a retrieve it’s your job to make sure he doesn’t get hypothermia. So therefore you should make sure you have a dog blind for them to go into after making a cold water retrieve. This will help them maintain their core body temperature.
Weather presents all kinds of adapting so be aware and make sure to give it some good common sense to protect your dogs health.
There is many more on the list of adaptation. I encourage you to think on the fly for each hunt and ….always- always… be fair to the dog. Help
them out anyway you can to ensure success each time you head afield.. It comes down to the level your dog is trained at. The less the dog is trained the more help it’s needs. The higher level the dog is trained the less help it needs and the more enjoyable the hunt will be. This is why all your hard work during the summer improving your dogs skills, makes you so proud on the hunt.
The fall is here! Time to make memories with your dog that will last a lifetime!
Next week, On The Hunt Upland Adaptations
Until next time; We Be Rockin at Godspeed!
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