On our first solo hunt together for pheasants, I learned something. Before then, I never knew how good Dodger was because all the other dogs were just a little bit more on track during past hunts. This time, when it was only him and me when his first bird jumped early (as most wild birds do now) I took two shots. I grounded the pheasant but it took off running. So, we began our search. I kept Dodger close to me as we walked in circles back and forth in the direction I thought the bird went. Dodger kept wanting to go back behind us but I was sure the bird could not have circled back. I finally gave in and all of a sudden Dodger put one leg up, nose to ground and tail as straight as an arrow. I looked at him with a puzzled look on my face mostly of frustration as the grass was short and I could see nothing, I stood next to him trying to get him to move–to do anything but point at the ground. He kept looking at me as if I’m the one who needs to do something, It finally clicked. It was my job to flush the bird it’s his to point and retrieve. I took two steps forward and the rest is history.