Northwoods Bird Dogs

Backing point

nospam@example.com (Jerry) — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:00:00 -0600

Backing is one of the finer aspects of a bird dog’s performance and can be among the prettiest. When hunting a brace of dogs, it’s pretty cool to find one on point and the other backing.

Backing is simply one dog honoring another dog’s point. A true back doesn’t involve scent; rather it’s strictly by sight. Like the ideal point, the ideal back isn’t too far away or too close. A dog should back so it doesn’t inadvertently flush the birds. Finally, the backing dog should to be close enough to the action so it can mark where the birds fly or find dead birds if necessary.

Like pointing, backing is an inherited instinct but it varies quite a bit. Some dogs look for opportunities to back and, the other extreme, a few do everything to avoid backing.

Backing can be refined through exposure and training.

We introduce puppies to backing beginning at about four months of age. We work them in groups where they learn to read each other. They start to understand how other puppies act when they smell birds. In addition, the action attracts other puppies and then everyone gets in on the flush of the bird.

The next phase is when the flush is preceded by a brief point. Puppies recognize that a point means a bird and so naturally start to back on their own. Of course, they don’t back for a long period of time but they have learned the basic concept.

For older dogs, we use two different methods. The first involves two dogs, one working ahead in the bird field and another on a check cord behind. When the lead dogs goes on point, we stop the second dog, style it up but say nothing. It probably doesn’t understand what’s happening at first, but after it has seen birds flushed in front of the lead dog a few times, most start to back on their own.

Another method is to use a backing dog silhouette, a piece of equipment that’s a life-sized cutout of a dog on point. I have an older one on spikes that needs to be manually raised and lowered and a fancier version that’s remotely controlled.

We use the silhouettes to create an association between a dog on point and birds. We place the silhouette in the field with a pigeon in a bird launcher behind it. We lead the dog into the field and, as soon as it sees the backing dog and doesn’t stop, we flush the pigeon. After several repetitions of this, most dogs stop and back as soon as it sees the silhouette.

Backing drills are often overdone. Even dogs that back well can sour on too much training. My experience is that if the dog backed last time, it’s likely to back the next time, too.

Once a dog has shown it will back, the best way to reinforce the behavior is to work dogs in braces and let backing happen naturally.

Happy Ox x Chablis puppies and puppy buyers

nospam@example.com (Betsy) — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:00:00 -0600

The very cute litter out of Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis was eight weeks old last week and most went to their new families and homes.

It’s always a bittersweet but gratifying time for us when puppies go...but we love to hear from new owners!

From Ken & Family:

Just wanted to say thanks again for the beautiful pup and the time you gave us yesterday.

After the long trip back home we had a great day.

We let her check out the new surroundings and I did some yard work while she explored the entire backyard. She kept me in sight the whole time but enjoyed her free time outside to explore.

She seems to be really acclimating well albeit a little lonely in her run the first night. We had several successful “visits” on the lawn and her only accidents inside were because I probably didn’t get her outside fast enough. She seems very bright and will be easy to housebreak. We’ve already been for a short walk on the leash and she caught on very quick!

She was a tired pup last night (see photo above) and got some meaningful rest.

From Brad & Family:

Tana made fast friends w/ the kids and has been great so far. Riley the Lab isn't too put off by her except she will squeeze in between me and the puppy if I don't spread the love...ha ha.

There has been some crying at night but I would cry too if I went through what she did. So far so good. She is bold and adventurous and likes exploring the yard and the little bit of timber we have.

From Steve:

Magic Man and I are back in Montana and having a good time. He will enjoy his life out here. Seems to be both calm and bold so far.

Northwoods Classy Kate wins derby award

nospam@example.com (Betsy) — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:00:00 -0600

Northwoods Classy Kate, setter female owned by Barry Frieler of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, put together a string of impressive placements this spring to win the 2012 Minnesota/Wisconsin Derby of the Year.

Consistency is the the essence of Kate’s performances. Trial after trial, she put down competitive races. Her drive to find birds, classy way of going, intensity and style on point combined with a strong desire to please were her trademarks.

Kate placed three times in four starts and had finished bird work in two of them.

2nd Chippewa Valley Grouse Dog Association Open Derby

1st Minnesota Grouse Dog Association Open Derby

2nd Minnesota Grouse Dog Association Open Derby

What’s even more impressive was that Kate wasn’t trialed at all last fall. Barry is a very serious grouse hunter and he preferred to be in the woods with Kate, working her along with his other two English setters. Barry sent Kate to Tennessee with us for training on quail for the past two winters which, along with her experience on wild birds, proved too much for the competition.

Kate was sired by Northwoods Blue Ox out of Houston’s Belle’s Choice. It appears to be all in the family as she is the second winner of this award produced by Choice. Last year, Northwoods Chardonnay, out of Choice by Blue Shaquille, won. Too, both of Kate’s grandmothers, CH Houston’s Belle and Blue Silk, won this award previously.

Congratulations to Barry and Kate!

Liz puppies: day 1

nospam@example.com (Betsy) — Sat, 12 May 2012 05:00:00 -0600

Is there a more contented scene than this? A mother gently curls around her newborn brood, seemingly shielding them from any outsiders. Meanwhile, her newborns are utterly soothed and secure in her presence.

Jerry and I knew something was up on Tuesday night, May 8. Liz didn’t eat anything—including her treat—and Liz always eats.

So we checked on her at 10 pm and Jerry set the alarm for a 1-am-check. By about 3 o’clock, though, Liz had whelped and thoroughly cleaned up one puppy.

We quickly brewed a pot of coffee and were on hand to monitor the birth of the remaining seven puppies. Of the eight, two were males (one tri-color and one black-and-white) and six were females (one tri-color, two black-and-white, three quite white that could be either).

Liz is out of the dynamo breeding of CH Magic’s Rocky Belleboa to CH Houston’s Belle in 2009. Liz’s litter is by Blue Shaquille (Houston x Blue Silk).

Two females are available for sale from this litter.

Chardonnay is definitely pregnant!

nospam@example.com (Betsy) — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:18:28 -0600

Jerry and I are pleased to report that Northwoods Chardonnay is definitely pregnant. Jerry palpated her this week and could feel several small fetuses.

This litter is by Northwoods Blue Ox. It is sold out.

Chardonny is out of our 2009 pairing of Blue Shaquille (Houston x Blue Silk) to Houston’s Belle’s Choice (Gusty Blue x CH Houston’s Belle) and she inherited some of their best characteristics…and my favorites.

From Shaq, Chardonnay received a refined version of his strong body and composed stance on point. In addition, she has that very appealing eye patch. There had been no other dog in our kennel with the joyful personality and bounding, light-footed stride of Choice but she passed that on to Chardonnay.

Ox (CH Peace Dale Duke x Blue Silk) has produced some of our nicest puppies ever. He must be prepotent because he throws what he is—big going but easy handling in the field and yet in the kennel, the sweetest of temperaments.

Chardonnay should whelp about June 11.

Spring training on grouse

nospam@example.com (Jerry) — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:28:00 -0600

Spring is a great time to train on grouse. Scenting can be tough, though, and savvy winter survivors often use their legs more than their wings to escape. Finding the birds is one thing; getting them pointed, much less pinned, is another. Spring grouse make fall birds seem easy.

Dan and I had some excellent sessions in the woods with dogs here for training. Enjoy our photos.

Buck (a Ryman setter) can find birds!

Houston's Belle's Choice (Gusty Blue x CH Houston's Belle) points a grouse in a black ash swamp.

15-month-old Northwoods Grits (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis) finds a grouse.

Northwoods Lager (Blue Shaquille x Houston's Belle's Choice) points a woodcock. Paul Diggan stands by.

Northwoods Blue Ox (CH Peace Dale Duke x Blue Silk) pins a grouse.

Northwoods Porter (sired by Blue Shaquille) backs his mother, Houston's Belle's Choice.

Northwoods Magic Man (Houston x Northwoods Blue Babe) backs Houston's Miss Liddy (Northwoods Blue Ox x CH Houston's Belle).

The handsome Northwoods Magic Man points.

9-month-old Northwoods Aerosmith (Blue Shaquille x Houston's Belle's Choice) points a woodcock and Gigi (Ryman littermate to Buck) backs.

Moose River Grouse Dog Club trial results

nospam@example.com (Jerry) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 10:08:35 -0600

Open Puppy Winners Northwoods Carly Simon with Paul Diggan and Gracie with Mr. Lawton. Back row: Dan Stadin and judges Brad Holt and Bert Benshoof.

Wet, drizzly and overcast—perfect bird-finding weather—was the forecast for the Moose River Grouse Dog Club field trial held the weekend of April 21 – 22.

First-year shooting dog Northwoods Lager, owned by Jim Bires, was our only entry in the Open Shooting Dog stake. He ran strong and powerful, hit all the right places and yet showed when needed. At about 40 minutes he had an unproductive but stood strong when his bracemate interfered. Lager ended his bid at 50 when he unsuccessfully tried to relocate on a touchy, running grouse.

In the Open Derby, Northwoods Classy Kate, owned by Barry Frieler, ran her namesake race—driving, forward and classy. That day, though, she went without bird contact. Houston’s Miss Liddy, owned by Paul Hauge, also ran very well but missed some opportunities on birds. Northwoods Roquefort, owned and handled by Dan Stadin, ran well and had an unproductive in likely cover.

The highlight of the trial was when 13-year-old Paul Diggan handled 9-month-old Northwoods Carly Simon to third place in the Open Puppy stake. He had to work hard to pull her out of likely cover on the outside edge of the puppy course loop.

Open Shooting Dog

1st Marley, Sig Degitz

2nd Ralph, Luebke

3rd Mickey, Peters

Open Derby

1st Hank, Visger

2nd Rain, Brent Sittlow

3rd Maddie, Harvat

Open Puppy

1st Gracie, Lawton

2nd Ole, Gerrits

3rd Carly, Paul Diggan

Breeding updates, litter news, puppies available

nospam@example.com (Betsy) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:00:00 -0600

Four-month-old Northwoods Vixen plays in the house with her chew toys.

Right on schedule, Northwoods Chardonnay came into heat in late March and was bred to Northwoods Blue Ox last week. If all goes well, she should whelp about June 11. Chardonnay’s first litter was last year by Houston’s Blackjack and the puppies were outstanding. This year’s litter is all spoken for.

Judging by some roundness and noticing a bit of her coat that’s sticking out, we’re certain that Snyder’s Liz is pregnant by Blue Shaquille. The litter is due about May 11 and one puppy is still available.

Jerry and I are excited by first-time dam Liz. She has the talent to be a major competitor on the grouse trial circuit but she is also part of our grouse guiding string. Shaq is a field trial winner, guide dog, charmer and proven producer. Both have excellent dispositions and calm demeanors.

Littermates Grits, Sweet Tea and Biscuit out of Ox x Chablis have a blast last spring.

Due to a cancellation, one male is available out of our Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis litter that is now five weeks old. These pups will be ready to go on May 6.

This is a repeat breeding of a very successful litter last spring. All reports from owners have been extremely positive. Jerry trained most of the litter last summer and really liked what he saw. Three placed in Open Puppy stakes this spring—and two were handled by first time field trialers.

These puppies have the genetics to be first-class grouse hunting dogs and/or field trial competitors and have the sweet temperaments of both parents.

A pile of four-week-old Northwoods Prancer puppies take a nap.

Our final litter of the year will be by our pointer Northwoods Prancer, due to come in season any day now. Again we’ll repeat an extremely successful 2011 litter by breeding her, again, to CH Westfall’s Black Ice. This all-female litter is terrific. Jerry and I kept an orange-and-white puppy and every other owner is thrilled with theirs. They are smart, even-tempered house dogs that turn it on in the field. There are two reservations open for that litter.

Second MGDA trial results: Northwoods Blue Ox progeny continue to win

nospam@example.com (Jerry) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:58:12 -0600

Front: Jerry with Sean, Barry Frieler with Kate, Kaufman with Maisey. Back: Mr. Lawton, Greg Gress, Frank LaNasa, Chris Bye, Ian MacTavish.

The Minnesota Grouse Dog Association held its final trial of the spring last weekend, April 13 – 15. A beautiful sunny Saturday was sandwiched between a cloudy, cool day and a rainy day. Our sincere thank you to the club volunteers who worked hard to put on the stakes.

Bird work was again tough to come by in the Open Shooting Dog stake. Of 14 dogs that ran, only three finished with clean work on birds. The judges awarded two placements—Merrimac’s Adda Girl, setter female owned and handled by Ben McKean won first and Abigail, setter female, owned and handled by Ed Graddy, placed second. I handled Northwoods Lager (Jim Bires) and Northwoods Blue Ox. Both ran strong races but without birds (not counting Ox’s nice point on a turkey!).

The largest entry was the Open Derby with 18. We’re very proud of the performances of two dogs we ran. Northwoods Parmigiano (Sean), setter male owned by Bob Senkler, won. Sean ran a powerful, forward race on a 73-degree afternoon, hunted all the right places and finished strong. In addition, he has a style and verve that is extremely eye appealing.

Sean has competed well for the select times we’ve entered him in field trials. Of four starts, he’s placed in three—2011 Open Puppy (1st), 2012 CVGDA Open Shooting Dog (2nd) and this placement.

Northwoods Classy Kate, setter female owned by Barry Frieler, placed second. She ran her usual, sharp, driving race--she is always searching for birds. She is on a hot streak this spring with three derby placements in three starts.

Northwoods Roquefort, owned and handled by Dan Stadin, put on a competitive effort. Sean, Kate and Roquefort are littermates, sired by Northwoods Blue Ox out of Houston’s Belle’s Choice.

Puppy stakes are always fun and this Open Puppy was no different. Betsy and I own Northwoods Vixen, a female pointer out of CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, and she is mature, smart and talented. She won first place. I handled Snyder’s Trudy (CH Ridge Creek Cody x CH Satin From Silk), setter female owned by Steve Snyder, to second. Trudy hunted hard and looked good doing it.

Northwoods Tesla owned by Tim Cunningham.

Northwoods Tesla, owned and handled by Tim Cunninghamy, placed third. Tes and Tim are new to field trials but both put forth a great effort. Tes is sired by Northwoods Blue Ox out of Northwoods Chablis—and it’s turning out to be quite a talented litter. Two of her litter brothers, Northwoods Bees Knees and Northwoods Grits, won first and second in the Open Puppy last week.

Open Shooting Dog

1st Merrimac’s Adda Girl, Ben McKean

2nd Abigail, Ed Graddy

Open Derby

1st Northwoods Parmigiano, Bob Senkler

2nd Northwoods Classy Kate, Barry Frieler

3rd Maisey, Kaufman

Open Puppy

1st Northwoods Vixen, Jerry Kolter

2nd Snyder’s Trudy, Steve Snyder

3rd Northwoods Tesla, Tim Cunningham

Amateur Shooting Dog

1st Abigail, Ed Graddy

2nd Gracie, Scott Anderson

3rd Molly, John Edstrom

Paul's new blog

nospam@example.com (Betsy) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 06:00:00 -0600

Careful readers of our posts know that Paul Diggan is a young man who lives in Sandstone and is a good friend of Dan Stadin, the guy who works with us.

As often as possible, Paul accompanies Dan to work and, consequently, Paul has spent many hours in our kennel and out in the field. Not only does he know how to clean kennel runs and fill water buckets, but he knows the pedigrees of virtually every dog. He can rattle off that Chardonnay and Chablis are sisters out of Shaq and Jill and that both had litters last year. He knows, too, that we repeated the Shaq/Jill breeding and have four littermates—Carly, Jeter, Tyler and Zep—here for training.

After Paul attended his first trial last weekend and had entered and competed in his first stake, he was inspired to start his own blog.

Check out Thoughts from a 13-Year-Old Boy and a Dog Trainer in Training at http://www.pauldigganintraining.blogspot.com/

Chablis litter: four weeks

nospam@example.com (Betsy) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 06:00:00 -0600

Tempus fugit!

The seven puppies from our Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis breeding just turned four weeks old. They were whelped on March 12.

At this age, we begin weaning them. We soften our normal ProPlan Performance dog food in water and then mash it to the consistency of gruel. The puppies love it! They climb all over each other to reach the food and often end up with paws in the dish as they lick the last bit.

The puppies now have been crawling out of the whelping nest so it’s time to remove the front panel and add clean pine shavings to Chablis’ run. They have fun exploring their new space and enjoy the freedom of more room. Too, we add a resting platform so Chablis can hop up and have some quiet time away from her brood.

The puppies will be eight weeks old on May 7 and ready to go their new homes.

Three very nice placements at the Minnesota trial

nospam@example.com (Jerry) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:13:25 -0600

Northwoods Classy Kate and Barry

The Minnesota Grouse Dog Association held the first of its two spring trials on April 6 and 7. Dan Stadin, Paul Diggan and I attended both days.

For us, the most exciting stake of the trial was the Open Derby. Fifteen young dogs competed and we are very proud of Northwoods Classy Kate, owned by Barry Frieler of Pequot Lakes. She convincingly won first place. She is sired by Northwoods Blue Ox out of our blue hen, Houston’s Belle’s Choice.

Kate ran in the first brace of the stake—at about 1 p.m. on a bluebird afternoon. Normally, that’s not the preferred time of day to hunt grouse but Kate didn’t know that. Within a few minutes of the breakaway, she was already working scent near a drumming log. She caused the bird to flush and gave a short chase. After that, however, she left dust and leaf chaff behind her as she tore the cover apart in search of grouse. At about 13 minutes, Kate’s bell stopped 80 yards to the front. We could see her standing on the edge of a cut from a distance—tall and confident. She had a grouse pinned about 15 feet off her nose. At flush and shot, she stood perfectly broke.

Farther down the course as Kate was hunting on the right, her bell stopped abruptly. After a moderate search, Judge Brett Edstrom and I found her pointing at a low area of brush. For the second time, she had a grouse pinned perfectly and, for the second time, she stood perfect at flush and shot. She did have a slight movement as I went back to release her.

For the remainder of her brace, Kate made several showy casts, hunting a cut aspen edge as we watched her from the distant woods. She finished strong to the front.

Kate’s performance may have been the best I’ve seen for a derby. Her drive to find birds, her intensity and accurate bird location are rare in a dog that age. These thoughts were echoed by Brett at the announcement of winners and also by Scott Anderson, the handler of Kate’s bracemate.

That’s why I love to compete in field trials. To have a dog put on a spectacular performance in front of people who recognize and appreciate it makes it all worthwhile.

Northwoods Bees Knees

Two littermates out of our 2011 breeding of Northwoods Blue Ox to Northwoods Chablis placed in the Open Puppy stake. Northwoods Bees Knees, handled by his owner Mike Donovan, won first place. Beasly hunted the tough puppy course with strength and purpose. Beasly is Mike’s first pointing dog and this was Mike’s first field trial. Congratulations, Mike!

Northwoods Grits, owned by Bob Senkler and handled by me, placed second. Grits hunted hard and made casts to all the right places. I had run him in the Open Derby just a short time earlier and even though he’s a strong dog, it seemed to take a little punch out of his performance. But we were proud of his effort.

Even though the Open Shooting Dog drew 18 dogs, only two dogs had bird work (and they were braced together). Those two were given placements and third was withheld.

Open Shooting Dog

1st Seattle Slew, Dave Moore

2nd Marley, Sig Degitz

Open Derby

1st Northwoods Classy Kate, Barry Frieler, owner

2nd I’m Home Grown, Dave Moore

3rd Sam, Bill Frahm

Open Puppy

1st Northwoods Bees Knees, Mike Donovan

2nd Northwoods Grits, Bob Senkler, owner

3rd Rain Delay, Lydia Sittlow

Wisconsin field trial results

nospam@example.com (Jerry) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 06:11:16 -0600

Northwoods Lager

Dan Stadin and I attended the Chippewa Valley Grouse Dog Association (CVGDA) spring grouse trial over the weekend of March 30 – April 1. The grounds are situated along a beautiful stretch of the Eau Claire River near Cadott and usually hold ample grouse and woodcock. Thanks to the club members who worked hard to put on the trial.

We’re happy to report that three dogs, Northwoods Classy Kate, Northwoods Parmigiano and Northwoods Lager, placed and garnered ribbons for their owners, Barry Frieler, Bob Senkler and Jim Bires, respectively.

The Open Derby was very competitive with 21 entries. We ran six: littermates Northwoods Parmigiano, Northwoods Roquefort, Northwoods Brie and Northwoods Classy Kate (sired by Northwoods Blue Ox out of Houston’s Belle’s Choice), Houston’s Miss Liddy (sired by Northwoods Blue Ox out of CH Houston’s Belle) and Northwoods Piper Lebowski (sired by Blue Riptide out of Blue Ghost).

Three derbies finished with bird work which proved to be the deciding factor. Many of ours showed some affect of the recent two-day drive from Tennessee but gave competitive performances of which we were proud.

Northwoods Classy Kate

Kate won second place with a hard-hunting effort capped off by a beautiful point on a woodcock right in front of the gallery. The woodcock flushed low and landed about 20 yards from Kate but she stood her ground with just a hop at the shot. This was a tough piece of bird work for a derby-aged dog and she handled it with poise and confidence.

The Open Restricted Shooting Dog was run on Sunday morning and had 10 entries. We entered four dogs even though three were derbies and had competed the previous day: Parmigiano, Roquefort and Liddy. Lager (sired by Blue Shaquille out of Houston’s Belle’s Choice) is a true shooting dog although this is his first season.

Northwoods Parmigiano

Parmigiano won second place. His hunting effort was not up to his usual standard of a race filled with fire and desire but he made up for it with a nice point on a grouse. He was the only dog in the stake to point a wild bird under judgment.

Lager placed third. He had the kind of race I like—strong running, always searching in the right places for birds and showing when I called on him. Three minutes after time was called as he was making his way back to me, he stopped and had a beautiful point on a grouse, unfortunately not under judgment. The judges called Lager back on a liberated quail to prove that he was steady to wing and shot…which he did with aplomb.

Tennessee training report

nospam@example.com (Jerry) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:50:00 -0600

Betsy and I are winding down our second session of training in Tennessee. We're organizing everything, packing up, cleaning up and are headed home tomorrow. Even with the weather that is more summer-like, it has been great because we didn't miss a day of training. The birds were plentiful and, most importantly, the dogs we've had here have learned so much and made such good progress, always so gratifying.

Here are some photographs of our dogs.

Birdee (CH Westfalls Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer).

Two-year-old littermates Bleu and Kate (Northwoods Blue Ox x Houston's Belle's Chocie).

Gus (Blue Shaquille x Houston's Belle's Choice).

Jaz and Trudy (CH Ridge Creek Cody x CH Satin From Silk).

Lucy (CH Westfalls Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer) and Jaz.

Liddy (Northwoods Blue Ox x CH Houston's Belle).

Slash and Pete (Houston's Blackjack x Northwoods Chardonnay).

Piper (Blue Riptide x Blue Ghost).

Rosie (Blue Riptide x Blue Ghost).

Timber (CH Westfalls Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer).

Trixie (CH Ridge Creek Cody x CH Satin From Silk).

Training with bobwhite quail

nospam@example.com (Jerry) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:05:27 -0600

Much of what a bird dog needs to know is learned from the birds themselves. Among those lessons is the key concept that the dog can’t catch the bird. The dog needs to understand that once it smells a bird, it should stop, point and stay on point. It will learn that moving closer will cause the bird to flush and once flushed, the bird is gone and the fun is over.

Female bobwhite quail on training grounds in western Tennessee.

Wild birds are the ultimate teacher of this lesson. But it’s not always possible or feasible to completely develop a dog on them. The next best option is to use liberated birds in situations where the birds act as close to wild as possible.

We’ve tried chukar partridge and Hungarian partridge but bobwhite quail have proved to be the best.

After some trial and error, I now have two reliable methods of working with quail. Both worked at our home kennel and at winter training sites in Oklahoma and Tennessee.

First, though, it’s important to find the right habitat. The cover needs to be thin enough so the birds can easily fly from it, but also near enough to areas with heavy cover where they can fly to and escape.

My preferred method is to establish a strong, well-seasoned covey using a Johnny house. I basically “train” these quail by flushing them from the house many, many times. They fly into the surrounding area and become familiar with the cover. The more these birds are used, the better they get. After they’re adjusted to the habitat, it’s not uncommon to have the covey disappear for a day or more before coming back to the house and, when they do that, you have some great training birds.

The second option is to release a covey in a likely area surrounded by a good mix of cover. I then feed them three times per week to keep them coming back. There are two big disadvantages: the whole covey can be lost and these birds aren’t as reliable as Johnny house quail. But this method is invaluable for advanced training and teaching a dog that birds are not always easy to find.

We put great effort into having quality released birds for training; it’s expensive and time consuming. Ultimately, it’s worth it because the better the birds, the better the bird dog.

Martha’s Greenlee’s article on Steady With Style provides excellent advice on using training birds.