Why I Trust Guy Mollicone With My Bird Dogs |by Ryan Rice
I’m excited to share that Guy Mollicone Sr. and Guy Mollicone Jr. are premier partners with AZ Quail Today. These guys are top-notch bird dog trainers, and I can’t say enough about the work they do.
I’ve worked with bird dogs for the better part of the last decade, and before that I spent years training Labradors. I’ve learned a lot along the way and have been able to get my dogs to a pretty good place on my own. But sometimes you reach a point where it’s worth putting your dog in the hands of a professional. That’s where Guy has really helped me.
Sometimes Simpler Is Better
One of the biggest things Guy taught me was to simplify my dog handling. I’ll never forget Guy telling me, “Man, the way you’re talking to your dog is like speaking five different languages.”
His point was simple: reduce the number of commands, stay consistent, and make it easier for your dog to understand what you want. Your dog speaks dog. You speak English. The goal is to slow things down, simplify your communication, and learn how to work better together.
That one lesson alone helped me tremendously.
Taking My Dogs to the Next Level
Guy Sr. also spent several weeks working with my dogs and helped me accomplish something I had struggled to do on my own: getting them steady to release.
For those newer to bird dogs, steady to release means the dog points the bird and remains steady while the hunter approaches, the bird flushes, and the shot is taken. The dog stays put until the handler gives the release command to retrieve.
For me, getting my dogs to that point has been a game changer.
Why Steadiness Matters in the Field
Some hunters may say, “I don’t really need my dog to be that steady,” and I understand that. Everybody hunts a little differently. But I’ve found several benefits that I didn’t fully appreciate before.
First, it slows everything down. When you get into a larger covey, birds don’t always flush at the same time. You may have birds continuing to get up after the first shots are fired. A steady dog can remain in position and often see where multiple birds fall instead of immediately charging into the action.
It can help with recovering birds, but even more importantly, it adds another level of safety and control.
I especially appreciate that when I’m hunting with younger or newer hunters. You can shoot hundreds of rounds at Ben Avery, break plenty of clay targets, and complete hunter education, but the field is different. A live bird flushes. A dog is on point. Adrenaline rises. Guns come up.
Having a dog that stays steady helps slow the entire situation down and gives me another level of control when introducing someone to bird hunting.
More to Come With Guy and AZ Quail Today
Guy helped take my dogs to a level I simply had not been able to reach on my own, and I’m grateful for it.
You’re going to be seeing and hearing more from Guy Sr. and Guy Jr. through AZ Quail Today. We’ll continue talking about bird dog training, steadiness, handling, developing young dogs, and practical ways all of us can become better dog handlers.
If you haven’t listened to our bird dog training podcasts yet, I’d encourage you to check them out. We’ve already recorded several great conversations packed with practical information about training and working with bird dogs.
If your dog needs some professional training—or you simply want some help taking your dog to the next level—I highly recommend reaching out to Guy.
The easiest way to connect with Guy is through Facebook. Just search for Guy Mollicone. You can also reach him directly at 520-762-6230.
A special thanks to Guy Mollicone Sr. and Guy Mollicone Jr. for everything they’ve done for me and my dogs. We’re proud to have them partnering with AZ Quail Today, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.