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the more experienced animal by example and it
learns what scent is all about. It has the disadvantage that a covey of
grouse has a very strong scent indeed and such dogs often become proficient
at finding coveys but miss pairs or singles. If you want to train your dog,
be aware that they will quickly learn all those instinctive things (chasing,
unsteadiness on point, not responding to commands, etc.) that are faults in
other people’s dogs by following their example. With one dog
working for one handler, you have a pack comprising two individuals – the dog
and the man. If the handler walks apart from the main party, the dog will
have someone it can identify with and look to for hand signals and
reassurance. Walk together and all it sees is a group of apparently identical
people. If you have two dogs or more out there working, you have a pack in
which the handler may or may not be a member! If a hare or a rabbit gets up,
or a bird flies off, and one dog chases you can bet your life that the other
dogs present will want to chase too! It ought to be a rule that your
young dog is on
the lead when ever anyone else’s dog is off the lead. If you can, take it
in turns to work your dog or fly a hawk – but don’t try to do both until your
dog is fully trained and experienced. Perhaps you have a friend who hunts
with you. Take it in turns to take your dog -- or your hawk – but not both.
Having a good and well trained dog can be a great asset. But a badly trained
dog is a liability. Once you have installed the brakes and the
steering, next comes experience. You will never have a finished dog unless
the dog gets experience and that involves wearing out a few pairs of boots on the fields and hills in search of game. If
you don’t have access to land where you can train your dog, you are on to a
non-starter. |
The Complete Dog
Once
your dog knows about game, drops or sits to flush, doesn’t chase birds or rabbits and hares, can point reliably and accurately, and
you can stop it, turn it, and call it in any time you wish, it is time to
introduce it to hawking. Why do I insist on such perfection? Because I have
not met the falconer yet who has both eyes looking upwards at his bird when
he should have at least one eye on the dog. If you can share your hawking and
dog work, as advised earlier in this article, you are on to a winner. But if
you can’t, you would be well advised to train your dog first. Once the mechanics of dog training have been
installed, the sport begins. Hopefully, your dog will soon understand what it
is all about and begin to use it’s intuition and understanding to participate
ion your falconry. When you achieve that, you have reached the summit.
Probably the most difficult thing to achieve in falconry is the combination
of a high flying falcon and a steady reliable fast and sure game finding bird
dog. Then, to put the cream on it, teach the dog to go in on command and
remain steady to flush. When you can do all that, give me a ring and I’ll be
there with the camera! |
Dogs in
Falconry………...page 4
By Derry Argue |
