Bird Launchers
You can't have a bird dog without birds, the saying goes. And it's true: You can train a dog to react to stimulus (i.e., the whoa post), but for a dog to advance to higher levels of accomplishment in the field, she needs contact with real birds. Remote, spring-loaded launchers let you put a live bird into the trap and hide it among cover. Depending on where you place the launcher, you can teach a dog to cover ground, identify likely bird-holding areas, take the chase out, back other dogs, and to point and hold staunchly. The D.T. Systems Natural Flush Bird Launcher is a quality model that comes in two sizes. The smaller version accommodates quail and similar-sized birds, and the larger model works well for pheasants, ducks, and comparable fowl. Also, with the larger launcher, you can throw a pigeons, in place of one pheasant or duck, to simulate a covey flush. As the dog approaches the launcher and locks up, you can remotely release the bird. The launcher then springs open and throws the bird into the air, where it will take flight. By attaching a chunk of hose to a live bird or removing some of its flight feathers, you can keep it from flying too far. If you're teaching a young dog that doesn't lock up, you can release a bird sooner and teach the dog not to pursue the bird. By using several units throughout a field, you can mimic a bird hunt and get multiple repetitions and bird contacts, teaching a dog to properly respond to different scenarios and advancing its proficiency afield faster.

Brian Lynn