The Fat Bird, Ugly Dog Podcast
The goal of this podcast is to present alternate viewpoints on falconry. Topics covered range from training philosophy, husbandry, and health of birds and bird dogs to conservation and management of raptors, their main prey species, and the respective habitat that they rely on. In addition, I’ll cover-off themes related to hunter ethics, fair chase, and access to public and private land. I’ll outline efforts that falconers can make to contribute to all of these topics of conversation.
The Fat Bird, Ugly Dog Podcast
26. Ethan Pippitt of Standing Stone Kennels on Training of Bird Dogs (Part 2)
In Part 2 of my conversation with Ethan Pippitt of Standing Stone Kennels we continue talking about training of my 2-year old female German wirehaired pointer. After discussing the Positive Pigeon Drill as an introduction to whoa from Part 1, Ethan and I pick up the conversation on my use of the steady lead and the place board to develop steadiness. We then turn our attention to the use of pigeon launchers in combination with the “whoa” cue. Ethan describes use of the belly collar to condition whoa, and we talk about introducing a dog to gunfire. We talk about the off season, the tradeoffs associated with spaying and neutering, and then turn our attention to "taking away the chase" in an effort to teach steadiness to wing. Before asking Ethan my regular rapid fire questions, he and I finish up part 2 discuss how to avoid collar dependence. Thanks for tuning in the show. I hope you enjoy the remainder our conversation.