Dogs and Pit Blinds

Dogs and Pit Blinds

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
I love everything about Ducks Unlimited from their conservation message, they're hunting information, their dedication to their sport and their films. In a segment called Duck Dog with with Ducks Unlimited spokesperson Mike Stewart coming from the Midwest's Kankakee swamp Mike tells us all something very useful if you're working your retriever from a pit blind.

"Working your retriever from a pit blind may take a little extra preparation. Not everyone has the pit blind in their backyard to practice with. So let's see what we can do to prepare your dog for that experience inside that pit blind. When working from a pit blind, you're going to be working your dog where the dog is elevated to your position. You're gonna be down lower than the dog, which is a bit unusual. They're also going to have limited visibility, most likely as they're going to be concealed not to flare ducks.

So how to prepare? One can use a water stand. Brush it out a bit and use the dog elevated to your position. From a simulated pit blind, sit down beside your dog, construct a platform higher than your position, and accustom the dog to working from this platform. Use the pit box to teach getting in and out of a confined area. Then elevate the pit box to your position. If possible, visit your blind, if it's a pit blind, well before season for some practice, the first time your dog sees a pit should not be opening day at sunrise.

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