tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577164312464173899.post8594985795973920567..comments2023-04-28T03:02:25.826-05:00Comments on Eight More Miles: LuLu Gets Work On The Pigeon PoleScampwalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00018588345538803637noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577164312464173899.post-74303008190116790482010-08-16T21:02:46.562-05:002010-08-16T21:02:46.562-05:00Yep, you've described it exactly as it is. I ...Yep, you've described it exactly as it is. I use a garden stake from Home Depot to anchor the thing upright.<br /><br />I'll be the first to admit I'm a rank amateur at dog training, but over the course of the bird dogs I've owned and known, I think the number one thing you can do for them is consistent yard training. Just teach 'em the basics -- heel, here, and whoa. (There are admittedly a million different ways to achieve those, and if you don't believe me, ask any two trainers!) <br /><br />Once you build a good foundation, put them on birds (pigeons, pen birds, and wild birds), and let the God-given genetics flourish.<br /><br />I just try to stay the hell out of the way and provide the dog with plenty of experiences. It's still my plan to give her some higher education with a pro trainer.<br /><br />Right now, it provides us both with a great anticipatory pre-season outlet.Scampwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00018588345538803637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-577164312464173899.post-16378252064072226292010-08-16T20:14:00.144-05:002010-08-16T20:14:00.144-05:00OK, so let me get this straight: the pigeon pole i...OK, so let me get this straight: the pigeon pole is set up vertical with the eyebolt at the top and one end of the forty feet of line is snapped to it and the other end is attached to the pigeon? Did I read that right or am I way off?<br /><br />I've never used nor heard of that, but then again I've never really trained a bird dog ("train" being a relative term...).<br /><br />Man, this post has really guilted me into getting serious about training. It's funny, when I got my pup I was worried about treating her like a little chessie and so I read all this stuff about not trying to turn her into a retriever and just letting her run, be free and find her range, etc.<br /><br />I now realize that maybe I've taken that whole philosophy a bit too far, because I've been pretty lax in even the basic stuff like heeling, etc.<br /><br />I need to get my arse in gear. Thanks for the motivation. For my sake, you need more training posts...Chad Lovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13219295562957353591noreply@blogger.com