Summertime is the season for bird dog training and we are working on whoa and other yard commands with our bird dogs. It’s also the season for grass seeds or grass awn infections. In our early years with Brittanys, grass seeds were a constant plaque and after several thousand dollars spent at my bird dog doc’s office, I have become something of an expert in grass seed infections in bird dogs. But now, we have learned several techniques for minimizing the risks of these infections. First, carry saline solution in your bird hunting kit. We buy big bottles from Costco, which you can find near the contact lens solutions. Every time the dogs return to the truck, rinse their eyes vigorously with the solution, by spraying it forcefully in the eye, while holding the lids open. You’ll be surprised at all the junk that comes out after a day in the field. Your hunting buddies will learn to tolerate this after a couple of times and most don’t put up any fuss. It works best if one person holds the lids open while the other sprays. Second, check the dogs over, especially between the paws, each night after hunting for seeds, ticks, and sores. Inspect the legs closely and remove all burrs and seeds, from anywhere they can be found. If these become embedded in the paw, they can migrate elsewhere and cause lots of problems. My bird dog doc has surgically removed them far from the sites of insertion, often migrating many inches away, just within days. Seek immediate veterinary assistance if you believe a seed is embedded and cannot be fully removed. Third, inspect the nose for seeds and if your dog is sneezing
Check Cords
Check cords should be made of 3/8" nylon and 20' in length with a bowline knot and a brass snap. They used to be available from only one gun dog supplier in the south and now this is the closest you will find to the correct stiffness from Cabella's. Gary Ruppel demonstrates his famous half-hitch, which is a trick used to acquaint foals with saddling, and it works great on bird dogs to change the point of contact from the collar to the flank. Gary uses it frequently in teaching heel, whoa, and other commands. I am always surprised at its effectiveness and the simple fact that few other trainers have learned this technique.
Breeding the Hunting Retreiver by Bill Tarrant Featuring Mike Gould
Here is great magazine article by Bill Tarrant featuring Mike Gould entitled, "Breeding the Hunting Retriever."