transition from bumpers to birds

[butterball_fat]

[Duck Chaser]

welp, on the good, sounds like the starter pistol training provided positive association with retrieving, so thats the reason shooting over him didn't turn into a train wreck.

far as birds, sounds like the dove hunt may have been his intro to birds. that wouldn't be ideal, but sounds like everything went ok. apparently it peaked his interest, and did pick-up and deliver a hand thrown bird, which is fine for a pup with no experience. if I read it right, he was breaking on the shot to get to the birds. if you ever want a steady dog, do yourself a favor and tie him up until you get him steady.

If FF is a part of your program, its equally important for the 'retrieving machines', and I don't know of a reason you can't continue to train with bumpers.

there's a couple options, and it all depends on what you want. if your wanting a well trained dog, it'll take time and a program. forums like this are a good place to get specific advice from people that use a program, but can never take the place of one. as far as being affordable and good, evan graham's smartwork program seems to fit the bill. if he's your pet that you just plan to hunt a little, maybe time and experience will turn him into something your satisfied with.

[butterball_fat]