When and How to Introduce Your Dog to Birds

When and How to Introduce Your Dog to Birds

Two of the most common questions we get at Cornerstone are:

• When should I introduce my hunting dog to birds?
• How should I introduce my hunting dog to birds?

Introducing your dog to birds properly and at the right time is vital because it will significantly influence your retriever’s development.

When Should I Introduce My Dog to Birds?

It’s natural to be eager to introduce your puppy to birds, but it’s crucial to consider the potential outcomes. Your goal is to develop your pup into the best hunting retriever possible, and timing plays a substantial role in that.

While you could introduce your dog to birds at a young age, it might not yield the full benefit of bird introduction. For instance, a young dog or puppy might drag a heavy bird around or even chew it like a toy, which isn’t the behavior you want to encourage.

Instead, there are more beneficial activities you can focus on that will set your pup up for greater success down the line. However, if you’re eager to start, you can introduce your puppy to a bird wing, allowing it to get used to the scent without the potential drawbacks of a full bird.

What’s the Most Beneficial Approach?

Rather than rushing into bird introduction, I recommend spending time on the basics. Creating a strong base in basic obedience and retriever skills will help your dog with bird training later.

How Should I Introduce My Dog to Birds?

Once your dog has mastered the basics, it’s time to introduce game birds in a structured way. Begin by attaching something familiar, such as a bumper or dog training dummy, to something new, like a bird wing.

• Secure the bird wing: I typically use electrical tape to attach the wing to one side of the bumper. You can choose the type of bird wing based on the hunting you plan to do or what’s available.
• Introduce the bumper with the wing: Begin by letting your pup get comfortable with the new object. Hold the bumper while your dog sniffs it, then have your dog fetch and hold the bumper. The goal is to stop your dog from chewing or biting the wing. Avoid using harsh corrections. This should be a positive and enjoyable experience for your dog.
• Start with easy retrieves: Once your dog is comfortable holding the bumper with and without the wing, you can introduce some easy retrieves. Gradually increase the distance as your dog becomes more confident. 

Moving to Actual Birds

After your dog is consistently retrieving the bumper with wings, it’s time to introduce a frozen bird.

• Prepare the bird: I usually remove the wings from the frozen bird to create an easy spot for the dog to grip. This helps your dog learn to pick up the bird correctly, focusing on the body rather than the wings.
• Thaw the bird: Ensure the bird is frozen but thawed enough to have some give, making it easier for your dog to hold.
• Introduce the bird: Start by letting your dog get comfortable with the frozen bird, then teach it how to hold and pick up the bird properly. Finally, work on retrieving the bird. It might take a few tries for your dog to get used to the bird, but with patience and repetition, your dog will start to get the hang of it.

Introducing Live Birds

Once your gun dog is comfortable retrieving and holding a full, intact bird, it’s time to introduce live birds for your dog training. If you don’t have access to live birds during training, you can wait until your dog’s first hunt. Keep in mind that the first few hunts should focus on training, not just the hunt itself. Your main priority is ensuring your dog’s success, even if that means leaving your shotgun in its case.

Final Thoughts

Take your time with bird introduction and set your dog up for success. The patience and effort you put in now will pay off when hunting season rolls around.

#BuildFromHere,

Joshua Parvin

P.S. Introducing your lab—or any other retrieving breed—to birds incorrectly can lead to problems. We break down this process even further in the Complete Retriever. Get a free preview of the Complete Retriever here.