Great training lessons. I don't know why anyone would not want a dog to be steady on wing and shot, yet I see it all the time on public hunting areas. A lot of dogs not even trained to the "Whoa" command. Laziness is all I can figure.
It's a lot easier with a helper but doing all of the preliminary work in the yard while the dog isn't pointing birds makes the learning curve really steep when you finally transition to the field!
Necessity is the mother of invention, and working alone convinced me to try it as it's just easier to carry a single launcher and a bag of pigeons. Every now and then you'll get a smart dog that shortens their range up SIGNIFICANTLY waiting for you to plant another bird. That's when having multiple launchers (and I occasionally will use multiple launchers) comes in handy.
I use rollers mostly. They will home a short distance, and they're a little smaller than a homer. Birds just need clean water, food, and a place to roost and nest. Your coop needs a way for the birds to return to the coop but without allowing those on the inside to leave whenever they want. Most people use "pigeon bobs," which are suspended bars/rods that can only swing inward. I've used multiple feeds, but I've standardized on layer pellets for chicken. It's soft and doesn't require that you use grit, and it's homogeneous (all pellets look/taste alike), so there's no wasting of the less desirable grains so that they can eat the tastier ones.
She’s a looker isn’t she. And she’s great for working other dogs on backing because I can whoa her into a point any where and any time without having to even plant a bird. For that work, all I need is a few birds in a bag and turn them loose 😉
One way I got my dog to stay steady was to have a pin raised quail walk around in front of him while on point. He used to run up and grab them. Not sure if it was the right way but it worked for him. He hasn’t been able to get on any wild birds due to my job keeping me away for long periods of time. First bird dog and he took to training real well.
i love how you give step by step guides im thinking about getting a vizsla and training it but bird launchers are very pricy so i may just save up even more to get that. can you make a vid on all the supplys that you would need to train a dog for woodcock and quail
Thanks. I can't recommend at least one electronic launcher enough. That and your own supply of homers or rollers and a bird bag will take you and your dog fairly far.
Very informative video. I wish I knew about this years ago. What are your suggestions for when the dog is on point , you visibly see the bird move (15 feet), and the dog remains on point?
That's a .209 primer pistol. Very loud but relatively inexpensive. I think that you understand this, but that was NOT the dog's initial introduction to gunfire. I introduced gunfire a long time ago and I've shot several birds over her. But you're right, it's a great way to accustom your dog to standing through the shot.
@@Payton1221 Thanks for the information, I have watched a few of your videos and I have learned several things. I'll have to finish watching the others.
The winner of the 2022 launcher drawing is Andre Bernard. Congrats Andre, and reply to the email that I sent you so that I know which launcher to ship to you at no charge.
Great training lessons. I don't know why anyone would not want a dog to be steady on wing and shot, yet I see it all the time on public hunting areas. A lot of dogs not even trained to the "Whoa" command. Laziness is all I can figure.
Love your approach.
It's a lot easier with a helper but doing all of the preliminary work in the yard while the dog isn't pointing birds makes the learning curve really steep when you finally transition to the field!
Love your methods. Clean, simple, straight forward, and above all effective. I see a lot of results. You’re a god send Mark
Wow. Thank you!
I like what you do with them!
Thanks Darrin!
Very well done. Mark you are the first dog trainer I see that uses 1 launcher for many pigeons in training.
Necessity is the mother of invention, and working alone convinced me to try it as it's just easier to carry a single launcher and a bag of pigeons. Every now and then you'll get a smart dog that shortens their range up SIGNIFICANTLY waiting for you to plant another bird. That's when having multiple launchers (and I occasionally will use multiple launchers) comes in handy.
Is nick nick nick shock?? And awesome dog you’ve got there
I'm sure you meant to say "apply short burst of a reasonable level of stimulation," but yes. You are correct ;-)
Mark has the methods and the passion to get his dogs to a very high level of proficiency. Great video by a great trainer.
Thanks Chuck!
Are you using homing pigeons? What do you recommend for birds to use? How do you care for your birds?
I use rollers mostly. They will home a short distance, and they're a little smaller than a homer.
Birds just need clean water, food, and a place to roost and nest. Your coop needs a way for the birds to return to the coop but without allowing those on the inside to leave whenever they want. Most people use "pigeon bobs," which are suspended bars/rods that can only swing inward. I've used multiple feeds, but I've standardized on layer pellets for chicken. It's soft and doesn't require that you use grit, and it's homogeneous (all pellets look/taste alike), so there's no wasting of the less desirable grains so that they can eat the tastier ones.
Really liked and enjoyed the video. A lot of information packed into 14 minutes- it was excellent.
Thanks Gary. I appreciate the kind words.
Great looking dog!
She’s a looker isn’t she. And she’s great for working other dogs on backing because I can whoa her into a point any where and any time without having to even plant a bird. For that work, all I need is a few birds in a bag and turn them loose 😉
@@Payton1221 She is a beautiful dog. Very impressive.
Thank you for your videos. That is a nice launcher.
And it might be YOURS😬
As always, great content Mark! I really enjoy your videos and go back to them on a very regular basis to keep me and the dogs in check.
Love the video!
Really enjoyable video, thanks!
One way I got my dog to stay steady was to have a pin raised quail walk around in front of him while on point. He used to run up and grab them. Not sure if it was the right way but it worked for him. He hasn’t been able to get on any wild birds due to my job keeping me away for long periods of time. First bird dog and he took to training real well.
Outstanding!
i love how you give step by step guides im thinking about getting a vizsla and training it but bird launchers are very pricy so i may just save up even more to get that. can you make a vid on all the supplys that you would need to train a dog for woodcock and quail
Thanks. I can't recommend at least one electronic launcher enough. That and your own supply of homers or rollers and a bird bag will take you and your dog fairly far.
Really nice pup You mind sharing breeding
Thanks. She’s a granddaughter of Erin’s Red Rum.
Great video! Highly reccomend requesting his book.
Thanks Austin, and I'm glad you enjoyed the book!
Very informative video. I wish I knew about this years ago. What are your suggestions for when the dog is on point , you visibly see the bird move (15 feet), and the dog remains on point?
Not sure what you're asking as the dog has not made a mistake. The bird moves, so you now know where it is and can go straight to it to flush.
Thanks Mark. I was not certain what was appropriate and did not want to create bad habits.
I like the way you introduce the gun into the training. What caliber are you using and load?
That's a .209 primer pistol. Very loud but relatively inexpensive. I think that you understand this, but that was NOT the dog's initial introduction to gunfire. I introduced gunfire a long time ago and I've shot several birds over her. But you're right, it's a great way to accustom your dog to standing through the shot.
@@Payton1221 Thanks for the information, I have watched a few of your videos and I have learned several things. I'll have to finish watching the others.
Thank you for this
The winner of the 2022 launcher drawing is Andre Bernard. Congrats Andre, and reply to the email that I sent you so that I know which launcher to ship to you at no charge.
That’s why you need to raise homers. Lol