The pick-up drill

You've got a dog with a good nose and beautiful quartering.  There's one small problem: he doesn't want to bring the bird to you.  He wants to go on parade.  Flip the bird on the end of his nose.  Show the admiring gallery what a wonderful and resourceful creature he is.  And you, dear handler, are to stand to one side like the man who holds James Brown's cape (at the 1:00 and 2:00 minute marks).  What can we do about this?


Joe suggested the pick-up drill.  The pick-up drill is nothing more than shake-a-bird (see Shake-a-bird 3/22/10) with a twist .

Line up in shake-a-bird formation.  Face your dog.  Maybe take another step back to get some separation.  Don't loom.  Relax.  Wait.

Now, start him off (see How to begin 3/22/10).  Let him take those three or so turns.  Here's the twist.  Unknown to your dog, you hold a dead bird.  Just after the dog passes you on a quarter (and please remember to stand completely still any time the dog crosses in front of you) and heads toward the gunner who is shaking his bird, you roll your bird a few feet or yards in front of you.  On his way back, puppy will scent the bird and will pounce on it.  The moment he grabs it, call him gently: "Here boy!"  (you are only a few feet away)  Pat your thigh.  Welcome him home.

The thought here is that he is so close to you, that, come?  Why, sure!  There you are!  And here is the bird for you!  He delivers the bird before he realizes what he has just done.  Maybe take a step back.  Kneel to receive the bird.  Gently done.  Thank you dear heart.  thank you, good boy.