How to Start a Bird Dog: Building Point, Search and Retrieve

Starting a young bird dog is one of the most rewarding parts of upland hunting. If you’re learning how to start a bird dog, remember the order: desire first, then point, then control. A pup that loves birds will forgive a lot of training mistakes. A pup that’s been over-corrected around birds may never reach its potential.

Step 1: Build bird desire

Pointing breeds such as German Shorthaired Pointers, English Setters, Brittanys and Vizslas are born with instinct, but birds turn it on.

• Start with a wing on a fishing pole (“flirt pole”). Let the puppy chase it and sight-point it, then let it “win” sometimes.
• Move to clip-winged pigeons or quail in light cover. Let the pup chase. At this stage, chasing builds drive.
• Keep sessions short and exciting, and always stop while the pup wants more.

Step 2: Let the point develop

Most pups begin to hold point longer once they learn they can’t catch flying birds. Use launchers or strong-flying pigeons so the bird escapes when the pup creeps in. Don’t say a word. Let the bird teach the dog. Once your dog is pointing for several seconds on its own, you can begin to quietly approach, style the dog up gently and flush the bird yourself.

Remote bird launchers make this stage much easier because you control exactly when the bird leaves. See our bird launchers and training electronics.

Step 3: Shape a good search

A good bird dog hunts with purpose: running the edges, checking objectives and staying in touch with the handler. Walk into the wind, change direction often and the pup will learn to look back for you. Plant birds in likely spots such as fence rows and brushy edges so the pup learns where birds live.

Step 4: Introduce the gun

Only fire once the pup is chasing birds with total focus. Start with a blank pistol at a distance and work closer over several sessions. Our hunting puppy training guide walks through this step by step.

Step 5: Encourage the retrieve

Retrieve dead birds for the pup early on, toss them and praise any return to you. Many trainers later teach a formal force-fetch, but early on the goal is simply a dog that loves to carry birds and brings them close to you.

Step 6: Add control with “Whoa”

Teach “Whoa” in the yard, away from birds, until it is solid. Only then use it around birds to help the dog hold point while you walk in. Steady to wing and shot is the final polish, usually in the dog’s second season.

Tools that help

• A check cord for gentle control
• Remote bird launchers for consistent setups
• A beeper or GPS collar so you can find your dog on point in heavy cover: see beeper collars and GPS tracking

Want a head start?

A well-bred pup from proven hunting lines makes the job easier. Browse bird dog puppies for sale, or skip ahead with a started bird dog that already points and retrieves.