I have a Lab/Golden mix that I'd like to take upland hunting. Are there any good resources out there that can help me.
Really? I blow the whistle and my dog's butt better hit the ground! The first lab that I had was not trained (married into that dog), and yeah, you really needed to be wearing Nike's when she hit bird scent. But what a nose! Missed that dog when the ex left!I have NEVER seen a lab, no matter how well trained that would whoa when he was hot on the heels of a running rooster.
I agree 100%Having hunted uplands with both a lab and GSP although the lab may be the better dog for catails ECT, there is no comparison in the open field IE chukar, Huns. Pheasent in the grain.
Old Guy a blink is different than what you are describing. Your describing an unfinished flushing dog that can't be steadied. Big difference. In what your talking about the dog is "huped" until the handler closes the range. When that does happen it should happen with the dog hitting scent at the outer edge of shooting range. Read James post right befor your's. That is exactly what a finished flusher does. Most people do not see the value of the finished dog but there is one right there.Don, respectfully I disagree with you that a "blink" from a flushing dog is a problem. I look at it as a solution. If he does not blink he hits the scent, runs after the bird, and puts it up in the are as quick as he can. I am not ready and many times out of position or in marginal range for a good shot. When he blinks he stops short of the bird and stares at it. You can draw a straight line from the tip of his tail to his nose and it goes straight to the bird. He will hold that position for 20 seconds to 2 minutes - I have time to get ready and my buddy in position also prior to the shot. If the bird does not flush on it's own I encourage Boomer to get the bird and he is released to flush it. As a flushing dog owner, I'll take some liberties and call that a point. I have never seen any of the labs, goldens, or springers I have hunted over in 40 years loose their drive or pass up birds because they were taught to "blink".
James, my hat is off to you if you can whoa your lab when he is hot on a running rooster. Not many dogs are that obedient with a nose full of pheasant.