Help With Dropping To Flush

[Jack.308 40]

Any tips on training to drop to flush?

[Jack.308 40]

Bump

[Gooner 143]

Hi mate I found with my Springer that you need to be 100% that the dog will drop to the stop whistle then when out as soon as game flushes blow the stop whistle, they will soon learn to drop, as with all things go slowly and be thorough and consistent.

[Philluk 181]

In an ideal world you need pheasants in a pen most good gun dog training places have one it's the best way to start them off.

[Jack.308 40]

Thanks for the help lads

[Dan Newcombe 58]

As has already been stated, you need to know that the dog will drop on command every time, practice in an open field until you are happy.

 

After that it is a case of keeping it close and a very close eye on it, you will see when it is about to flush something with the way the dog acts. Be ready, at the moment the game flushes the young dog will hesitate (at least the first couple of times) and you need to be right in there on the stop whistle, as soon as you blow the stop get yourself over to the dog to reinforce the command and settle it down.

 

If the command has been drilled in sufficiently in the build up to this the young dog should automatically stop in this moment of confusion and you are part way there.

 

Any one will tell you that it isnt the first or the second flush that causes the problem, its the third and fourth (no an exact science) because the moment of hesitation will get less as the dog gets used to finding game. You just have to be even quicker!

 

Once you have it stopped, get over to the dog and settle it then cast off AWAY from the flushed game and either hunt on or call it back to keep control.

 

Ulitmately it all depends on you getting the basic stop in solidly and being on the ball with the dogs body language. Gaurenteed that as you go back to the car and let the dog mooch about it will find something when your mind is elsewhere and you are scuppered!

 

Dan

 

ps. when i have my cocker pup out i stop it every time a bird is flushed when we are wandering about, even when another dog flushes it. Everything helps associate that action with stopping

[Jack.308 40]

I've got her dropping on the wistle, just putting into place dropping to flush everythings coming together well now asoon as she's droopin to flush its all good, just going to get her doing some dogging in to steady her up or maybe some picking up first

[JR Yipp 111]

dogging in will not steady her up nor will picking up. training is what is required.

[Dan Newcombe 58]

Dogging back will ruin a spaniels pattern etc in its purest form ie, dogs taking in whole fields and hedges (the proper and efficient way of doing it)

 

However

 

It is time well spent if you are sensible and dont have time constraints.

 

It can be a goot opportunity to get some game in front of a young dog when you are on your own with no pressure. Hunt the dog close, as if you were shooting and stop it every time something flushes.

 

You will see plenty of flushes and have plenty of training opportunities as well as getting used to working the dog.

 

You do need to be vigilant though at all times and keep stopping the dog or you can cause yourself problems. Dogging in teaches them to leave healthy birds becuase they are seeing big numbers.

 

Picking up is even worse for steadying a dog becuase they will likely encounter runners before they fully understand the game.

 

My advice would be no picking up, keep the training going with some 'dogging in' as outlined above and get the dog steady before you advance.