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DS is absolutely correct. Heck, I was just thinking about field work and forgot about the preliminary yard work when I first posted. That is actually how I start. At first I would take a pigion, holding the wings down, and let the dog get a good snootful of it while talking exitedly and getting the pup all riled up. Then I move to holding it by it's wings and teasing the dog with it. That way the bird can't slap the pup with his wings, but has some movement. Then move to holding the pigeon by the feet and teasing the pup. That way if the pup gets inadvertently hit with a wing, he is already bold on birds and really excited about them. Then clip the primaries so the bird can just kind of flutter above the ground and let the pup can chase it and maybe catch it. It doesn't matter if the pup does catch the bird for the reasons DS already cited. As for obedience (stay,heel,whoa, or sit) I have had luck teaching that soon after the pup is excited about birds. Really, I teach birds and obedience at the same age, but never in the same training session. Also, kennel and no are taught as soon as I get the dog-gently though. Inceidentally, each step of the training process is done over time. The things I discussed here about bird work may take two to three weeks to accomplish if worked for ten or fifteen minutes twice a day each day.
McPat
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