Carry on regardless ????

[hily 380]

Got my eleven month old springer onto flushing bunnnys up at the shoot now a few weeks ago i started to shoot over her up till now she has had five bunnys shot over her and allowd to retrieve three my problem is due to the hard weather we don't have the number of rabbits about we normaly have so i think it's going to take a few months for the rabbit numbers to get back to where i can give the young dog multiple flushes and retrieves and bring her on ready for next season of rough shooting.On the shoot i know the areas where the ground nesting birds are so i don't hunt the pup around there back on home ground i can only get her out on public areas this is ok but now that the nesting season is in full swing i don't let her hunt . So do i suspend training completley or do i try and keep her happy with dummys and a little water work?.

[rickyspringer 15]

Hily, i wouldn't suspend training, I find the summer months perfect time for tightening everything up, especially now, lead work re-visit the basics, and slowly progress... the back end of the summer you can get her on the bunnies again, or even in a rabbit pen.

 

She sounds like she's coming on great!

[hily 380]

cheers ricky but its flustrating when you know the time is right for your pup to be given some experience on the real thing well as you say try and keep her on her toes with basics .looks like early morning or late evening hunts in the summer months to aviod the hot summer days to come :11: B)and yes she has got a nice style about her.

[Dave C 63]

Pleased she is coming on well for you hily, i would keep the training going mate especially long hunted blind retrieves and i am sure you will find some public land with a bit of scent on, you wont get a shot or a retrieve there but it will still get some hunting, flushing and steady work into her and in its own way will be a good grounding for late summer rabbit shooting.

Good luck pal and let us know how you get on.

 

Dave.