The pigeons will wake up but are usually there in the weeds when you arrive with the dog. For training with pups, I prefer my pole launcher. A smart pup will learn to trail you to the planted pigeon. Delay this with a roundabout route. Also, keep the pup on a check cord and under control so he has no chance to run in and catch a planted bird.
Some dogs are so intensely birdy they'll point pigeons for life.
Most lose interest upon learning it's a game. If you've worked carefully and diligently, however, the spring-born pup already has more training than half the dogs you see in the field. He's ready to switch to wild birds on opening day.