09/14/2026
Sometimes you have to step outside the box and cross your fingers! There was no real risk in doing what I did, worst case scenario, I launch the bird and quietly move on. So, I have a young dog that lacks confidence and has been struggling to locate and point birds. She is also a yo-yo dog, going out a little way then coming right back, never just going out and hunting. I decided to run her with another dog who is further along in learning to be be steady, but not quite steady to the flush. It worked beautifully for both. The pointing dog did a pretty good job with her first time under pressure from having another dog interfering with her point. The less confident dog got curious enough to go check it out and then point as well. The only thing I would have done different with the pointing dog had I run her solo, is pop the bird on her first step, but I could see more benefit for both by letting it play out a few more moments. Win, win!
