Missouri Outdoor

Training a dog for hunting should be fun for both owner and dog. It is best to start trainig a dog after six months of age and after he has already mastered some basic commands such as sit and come.

Dogs are eager to please and respond best to positive reinforcement. Beginning and ending each training session with a game or playtime will keep your dog upbeat and anxious to learn. Patience and enthusiasm are also important. And always praise your dog for tasks he completes correctly. Never punish your dog during training.

It is very important not to rush the basic obedience techniques, as they are the foundation of every dog’s behavior. It may take up to 2 to 4 weeks to complete your training with 30 minute sessions, four times a week. Remember, be patient, consistent and be sure to keep the training fun.

Once you have mastered the basic behavior commands you are ready to begin the retrieval training like Landmarking. This is an exercise that develops the dog’s ability to judge distances. This is where you will need someone to assist you. The “handler” will be the person in control of the dog. The “thrower” will be the assistant with this exercise by throwing the training dummy for the dog. You will us a canvas dummy and sent for this training activity.

You will start by positioning the “thrower”, with the scented dummy, 50 yards away from the “handler”. The “handler” will have the dog at a heel position and will signal to the “thrower ” to get the dog’s attention. When the dog is looking in the direction of the “thrower” toss the dummy at a 45 degree angle back away from the “handler” and the dog.

The “handler” will release the dog on command to retrieve the dummy. After the dog picks u the dummy, recall the dog to you. Do not forget to paise him for a complete retrieve. Rotate this exercise in varying areas with different grass and weed coverage; short grass, long grass, tall weeds, etc. Also change your distances from the “handler” and “thrower” from 25 yards to 150 yards. Always set up the area with ehe wind at your back. This will give the dog a chance to see the dummy and learn how to judge distances and not use just his nose to find the dummy.

Another exercise is quartering. This means to have the dog work back and forth in front of you in the field looking for birds. To start this exercise yoou will need to be in medium height grass with your scented dummy. Take the dummy and place it upwind from your starting point. Where you place the dummy will be your ending point. With your dog in the heel position, walk with him from the starting point and give a verbal command to release him from your side. Walk with your dog in a zig zag pattern letting him work about 20 yards in front of you.

If you need more control of your dog during this exercise attach a long leash to the collar. You can continue to set up different training areas and change locations of the scented dummy. Do not forget to give your dog praise for a job well done. Remember make it fun.

Finally, after the dog understands landmarks and quartering you may progress to water marks. This exercise also uses a “thrower” and a small pond or water area. Have the “thrower” toss the dummy into the water, then release the dog to retrieve it. Do not have duck decoys in the water at this time. This may confuse him for the first few times. You may put some decoys on land by the water entry. After the dog has learned to run through the decoys on land and retrieve the dummy out of the water, you can place a couple duck decoys in the water. Remember to praise for a job well done.

I hope this information helps with your new retriever or even with your old one. And with a lot of praise and patients maybe my retriever and I will see you in the duck blind.

Source: Remington Field Training Manual

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