First day out.

[seanps]

Just one bird, but it was the dog's first day out and he did well!

The most trouble we had was getting him to walk slowly beside me all day. He just wanted to run ahead and play.

[NoLimit99]

Is that a hawk? because it so looks like one.

[Jimbo]

Well done. Luca is on his way to becoming a huntin' machine.

[seanps]

Is that a hawk? because it so looks like one.

Haha, nope. 100% grouse.

[yamadirt 426]

cant see the pics ???

[seanps]

Oh no? Here are direct links:

http://i34.tinypic.com/20f2ngn.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/9lbuqo.jpg

[Plincker]

At first glance I thought it was a Hawk too! It's a Ruffy, isn't it?

[brianguy]

At first glance I thought it was a Hawk too! It's a Ruffy, isn't it?

yeah i thought it was too. anyway, it's a good one and that dog isn't too bad lookin either.

[seanps]

Yeah, we're up to five grouse now (all ruffed), and his retrieves have been getting better. He runs in, grabs the bird, rushes back and drops it at my feet.

The one problem, I suppose, is that as soon as he spots a bird he -- zoom -- chases it full speed. We lost two this way yesterday: he spotted them before me, and dashed into the bushes. The birds flew deeper into the brush and I never saw them again.

I've been keeping him on a leash while hunting, because his heel isn't very good. Course, when he takes off at full-speed, leash may slip out of my hand.

I know it probably belongs in the Hunting Dogs section, but any suggestions as to how I can keep him from chasing birds while on the hunt? He's trained to not go after crows, squirrels, geese, etc., in the city, so he normally has good self-control.

[Chuck]

Grouse dogs tend to hunt with their nose, casting back and forth when they pick up a scent and at a good pace surprise a holding bird and cause it to flush and hopefully tree. The Labrador, imo anyway, is more dependant on its eyes (have you noticed how they love to watch) than its nose as its prime hunting tool. Have you tried using him in tight cover so that he cannot see as well as he can smell - it might hold him back.