| The Basic Retrieving Dog | | | | with an air-rifle, (or rifle or shotgun) is when |
| What I call the basic retriever or deer dog | | | | hunting for squirrels. When pursuing these animals, |
| function, is where a dog is walked at heel or very | | | | you will often find that they will keep the trunk of |
| slightly ahead of the hunter, and is stopped whilst | | | | the tree between yourself and them. |
| the gun takes the shot. | | | | In this situation, the breed is immaterial, even a |
| The dog is then used for the more difficult | | | | terrier will be sufficient to achieve the desired |
| retrieves or for locating the game, but never for | | | | result. All you need is a dog that will respond to |
| the simple retrieves. The reason for never using a | | | | hand signals, and that you can send away from |
| retriever on a simple fetch is that it encourages | | | | you. The squirrel will then tend to keep the trunk |
| the dog to charge in for every retrieve. | | | | between itself and the dog, and present a |
| If you cannot control this, you are then in the | | | | straightforward shot. Just remember to stay still |
| situation where the dog is a liability and will lose | | | | whilst the dog is doing its job. |
| you game when you come across two rabbits | | | | After a while the dogs will get used to hunting in |
| rather than the one. Quite often, when using an | | | | this way. Never send a gundog to retrieve a |
| air-rifle, you will be able to kill one rabbit of a pair | | | | wounded squirrel, the fact that they bite so hard |
| and then the second because the weapon is so | | | | will ruin the dog's mouth (ie they will become hard |
| quiet. | | | | mouthed). If you are using a terrier though, let it |
| So the rule is, only send your dog for retrieves | | | | run in - you are not training it as a gundog. |
| across water, in cover, or where a wounded | | | | Rabbits, Pointers and Air Rifles |
| rabbit is running. Retrieving a running rabbit should | | | | The third and last way of using a gundog with an |
| only be undertaken when a dog is well trained on | | | | air rifle, and one I particularly like, is to use a |
| cold game and real retrieves, and is steady to | | | | pointer to point rabbits in light cover. Ideally suited |
| shot. Under other circumstances you will | | | | for the air rifle, as you will disturb very few |
| encourage running in again. | | | | rabbits and the dog can spot them much better |
| The Squirrel Dog | | | | than you can. |
| The second way of using a dog when shooting | | | | |