Gun-dog-training-basics-explained

By: Rebecca Foxton

If you've ever seen a hunter with his dog, you know that the bond between them is very strong. The hunting dog listens and responds to every command quickly and precisely. This takes time to accomplish but is well worth it.

Types of Retrievers: Breeds such as Labrador retrievers and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retrievers are excellent gun dogs having been bred over hundreds of years for just that purpose. However, despite centuries of breeding, dogs can still be willful.

The Basic Commands: Instructions on a basic level, such as Whoa, No, Kennel, Sit and Come, are necessary for the dog to be completely familiar with. It is vital that your dog know and obey each of these commands before field training can commence. If your dog doesn't follow your commands when he is on a leash, he definitely would not obey when he is off his leash and running free. Do not try to train your dog at home; he needs a realistic situation out in the field.

Start Field Training: Your dog's field training can begin once he or she has been taught not to fear gun noise. Initiate the training by using a dummy. Beginning the process with a dummy is a great way to let your dog get the hang of what he is meant to do before he starts trying to retrieve birds.

Do Some Dummy Training: Select a dummy appropriate to your dog. Some are made of plastic or fabric, while others resemble game birds. Only when your dog can retrieve the dummy without shaking or damaging it can you begin to train with real birds.

Occasionally the dog will not go for an actual bird and you may need to train him further by using a dummy with feathers and streamers added on. This will mimic the movements of an actual bird and he will become more confident handling it. Streamers imitate the actions of a bird when it is not quite dead so that the real bird likely will not frighten your dog.

Decoys: Transition to the real bird slowly if your dog shows fear the first time he is asked to retrieve it. You can even get a stuffed duck or pheasant from a taxidermist and use it as a decoy dummy.

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About the author: Rebecca Foxton wants to help you bring your pet better direction with Gun Dog Training. Check out her nutrition tips for pet owners, and visit her FortiFlora articles on Dog Buffs.