We’re here to talk about getting the most from whatever releaser system you use.  Ultimately it depends upon your dog and where they are in their training program.  For most young dogs we feel that a manual releaser is better than a remote launcher during the breaking process.  The major downside to the remote launcher at this stage is releasing the bird when a young prospect is too close to the launcher.  Too much unnatural mechanical stuff going on too close to their face can often frighten a young dog and create issues.  The last thing you want is a dog that is fearful around birds.  Using a manual bird releaser like the Tip-Up Bird Releaser can eliminate some of the possibility of frightening your dog.

Once you see your dog becoming firm around their birds, becoming confident in their nose, and standing off a good distance from their birds, it's time to bring in the big guns: your remote launchers.

DISTANCE

More distance between the handler and the dog often means a higher probability for the dog to test the envelope and become (nicely put) "less broke." Many dogs will stop-to-flush when they’re close to their handler, but when they're out on a limb they "forget" their manners. The remote releaser allows you to close the distance by flushing the bird before your dog gets too close to the releaser, and while you're close enough to give your "Whoa" command.

WORKING IN MULTIPLES

Whether you're working your dog on a check cord, or they've progressed enough to run free, we think it’s important to use multiple birds at multiple release points. This builds style and staunchness because your dog never knows how many birds he or she will encounter on point or during a stop-to-flush.  This can be as simple as putting two quail in one releaser or as challenging as multiple releasers with multiple birds in each.  Another option--and ultimately a very nice combination--is a remote launcher with the addition of one or more Tip-Up Bird Releasers, all in the same area. Now you've shown your dog that there may be more birds in the same area after the initial  flush, and they've got a good reason to stick around and stand still.

TRY THIS SCENARIO

You can do this either with a young dog on a check cord (with a friend holding onto the far end) or a steadier, broke dog that you are tuning up. Use a remote launcher system like a DT Systems DBL 509 along with two Tip-Ups.  Load each with one pigeon and set approximately 7 – 10 feet apart. 

Work your dog in for a point. As you approach, launch the remote. The flying bird will captivate your dog’s attention. Caution him and keep going; walk around the area that's producing the scent cone, then step on the farthest Tip-Up. Now another bird has his attention.  As you move back toward your dog, step on the last Tip-Up.  Again, another bird to entice your dog.  The objective is to get your dog to stand through all of this. If not, your good dog will learn something new and hopefully will display better manners the next time around.

You've accomplished three things with this scenario:

1)  You've given the area a lot of bird scent by using extra birds.  This is excellent for a young dog and really good for any dog if the field conditions are marginal for bird scent.
2)  You've started conditioning your dog to the possibility and probability that there will be more than one bird per point and they should be mindful of their manners at all times.
3)  You've started training him or her to keep their style up. This is especially important to a field trialer, as well as anyone who loves the sight of a stylish bird dog.

EXTRA EFFORT PAYS OFF

By training your good dog with multiple birds at a single location you will be ahead of your competition. Many trainers don't go this extra mile in their training sessions and you can see this during a trial or on a hunt.  How many times after the flush have you seen the pointing dog get loose and swivel headed?  They let down their tails and are ready to be collared and led away.  Most judges like to see grand style, with a dog on their tiptoes and a high tail in anticipation of the next bird flush. Train for it.

There are many ways of using launchers/releasers with multiple birds in single locations that will help make your good dog a completely broke bird dog.  Offering multiple birds during stop-to-flush drills will convince your dog that standing steady is the right thing to do.  The honoring/ backing scenario is also a great place for multiple birds. Get them used to multiple birds and they will start anticipating a multiple bird flush.  Soon you will have a staunch and stylish completely finished bird dog.

Have any other ideas for multiple bird release scenarios? Leave a comment by clicking on the link below.

Find products in this article by clicking on the pictures:

        all training gear including launchers

Call it Force Fetch or Force Break to Retrieve. It's a training tool that yields definite results.
But is it always necessary?
Is it better to try other training methods with your bird dog first?
The main ingredient in any training program should be teaching and learning.
So where does the force fetch come in?

We've had a number of bird dogs that have reached Field Champion and Amateur Field Champion status, Master Hunter, etc., without force breaking to retrieve.  And (in competition) there's always the knuckle-biting, stomach-knotting retrieve that can take an upland retrieving breed dog from 'first place' to 'no place' in a flash. So maybe we'd have been better off strengthening our dogs' training with force fetch breaking.

Competition aside, let's say you're out with your friends and your hunting dog, having one of your best days ever in the field. You--or worse, your buddy--makes the finest shot possible, but then your dog refuses to retrieve it. What now? Is force breaking the answer?

Let us know what your experiences have taught you. Click on the 'Leave a Comment' link below.

The system starts out with stainless steel pails and bowls that cleverly attach to a fence, wall, post or crate using a yoke (bowls) or mounting block (pails) and what Kennel Gear refers to as their Piranha Lox Secure Locking System.  These are stainless steel as well. The bowl or pail can easily be placed into or removed from the kennel bar mount by simply flipping the paw proof lever of the Piranha Lox system. 

What’s really nice is that all kennel bar mounts accept both the bowls and pails.  This is particularly useful when exchanging the feed bowl in the morning with a fresh water pail for the rest of the day.  And if you have it mounted high enough you won't have to worry about your male dogs lifting their legs into their water.

We like that the bowls and pails unlock easily with the flick of a tab and can be washed and sanitized. And you don't have your bowls and pails being beaten around the kennel floor, coming in contact with all that is disgusting.

We also like that there are several different attachment methods to fit your particular situation. 

The kennel bar mount comes standard with either the bowls or pails can be attached using a simple hand tightened plate style system.  This will work on most crate style dog transporters, most divider bars in your vehicle, and outdoor kennels that are not made of chain link fence. 

For a chain link fence, they offer a mounting plate accessory which gives you a nice, secure attachment.

For mounting to a pipe they offer a vertical post mount assembly that attaches to a post up to 1¼” in diameter.

And finally, for those who have left bowl after bowl along the side of the road while hunting or traveling,  they've come up with a  2” x 2” steel tube for a 2” receiver hitch on the back of you truck or SUV.  So no more leaving your good dishes along side the road or in a parking lot.

Sometimes something new comes along that not only is very cool but also serves an important function. That is exactly what Kennel Gear provides. This system keeps your feed bowls and water pails up and off of the floor of the kennel or crate, eliminating your dog's desire to use them as toys, banging them around the kennel for fun and entertainment.

Check them out at DOGSUnlimited.com or give us a call at 800/338-DOGS (3647).