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HEADSWINGING

Head Swinging

What can you do to cure a problem with head swinging?

First, don’t let the problem arise. When you are making the transition from singles to doubles with your young dog, let your dog watch the first bird down for as long as it wants. Too often, as soon as that first bird hits the ground, handlers move to the second bird - in essence, teaching their dogs to head swing. Be willing to let your dog watch that first bird until the cows come home. When the dog’s attention leaves that bird, then move to show the dog the second bird. By taking your time, you are developing your dog’s patience.

Second, make the long bird attractive. More often than not, when a dog head swings, it is moving off of the long bird to a shorter bird - usually, the flyer. Combat this by making your long birds more attractive. Shoot the flyer as a long bird - with lots of gunners, flyer crates, and the like. Try to make the long bird a bird that your dog wants to retrieve - and not a bird that your dog has to retrieve.

Third, shoot singles with lots of guns in the field. The ABC drill is ideal for this. With the ABC drill, you put 4-5 guns in the field, all relatively close to one another. The dog gets one single after another. The primary purpose of the ABC drill is to teach dogs to run tight to guns when picking up marks, but because only singles are thrown in the ABC drill, it also provides good practice on head swinging.

Fourth, do things to encourage the dog to focus on the bird that is thrown. For example, suppose you are running a triple. When the dog comes to the line, have all three guns seated. Have the first gun stand up, then throw his bird. Then have the first gun sit down, and the second gun stand up. And so on.

Fifth, try using a small lead (4-6 inches long) on a choke chain. (The lead should not have a loop in it and should be short enough that the dog will not get tangled up in the lead as the dog runs). Hold the lead loosely as the marks are being thrown. If the dog looks off before a bird hits the ground, snap the lead and say "sit" and force the dog’s attention on the bird just thrown. Only after the dog has focused on that bird, do you - slowly - move to the next bird.

Sixth, try sending the dog when it head swings. For example, you are running a triple. The dog watches the first bird, but swings off the second bird to go to the flyer. When the second bird hits the ground, send the dog. The dog will be surprised, confused, and frequently run a short ways before popping or turning around. Recall the dog, pick up the birds, and then re-throw the marks.

Ted Thank’s I really liked it. If I could print it out I would so I would have it in the truck. This is a great refresher !!!
Terry
Terry Cover (Email) - 14 08 05 - 01:33

Ted,

Great Info.

Will use it on one of my older guys who just started swinging off the long bird to concentrate on the go bird.

Sure wish that I could print out a copy.

Thanks,

Lasal
Lasal Banty (Email) - 14 08 05 - 06:33

Ted, awesome web page!!! There is some great information on here. Keep up the good work.

Ricky
Ricky Elston (Email) - 14 08 05 - 09:20

Good Stuff Ted.

Guys if you want a copy to print, highlight the text, copy it, and then paste it into MS Word or whatever word processing software you are using.
Anthony Heath (Email) - 14 10 05 - 12:20


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