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• More types of hunting dogs added to our Breeds list.
• Training your dog to hunt in 11 steps.
• Off Season Conditioning Guide.
• Improve your dogs overall health with proper nutrition.
• How to compete in the Hunting Dog Masters circuit.
• First Aid for Hunting Dogs
• How to release your dog from a trap
• Remedies for Skunk Spray
• DC Metro - Vet Prices
Training Your Dog to Hunt in 11 Not-So-Easy Steps
If you're anything like me, you're not very interested hunting waterfowl without a bird dog. Jumping into a freezing lake and swimming out to collect your prize is not my idea of a good time. The truth is, any serious hunter will tell you how important hunting waterfowl with a great bird hunting dog partner can be. If you want to fill your truck bed with with birds, follow these 11 not-so-easy steps for training your world class bird dog hunting partner. These steps may not work with all dogs, the best dogs to train by using these steps are Retrievers, Points, Terriers, and Spaniels.
Steps
1. Do your research on all of the different types of water dogs. Many dogs out there are suitable for becoming waterfowl hunters. You may want to check out Lab Retrievers and Springer Spaniels, specifically. Take a look around at the different breeds and figure out which one would best suit you and the types of hunting trips you go on. Also keep in mind the amount of maintenance each breed will require. Soem dogs need to be out in the open so that they can run where they want, while others like to stay in a primary location.2. It is best to start out with a puppy. While there certainly are alot of adult dogs out there who have been previously trained, it is best to start with your dog from the beginning and build a bond with him that will help you in the long run. This will give you the chance to train to dog to become familiar with your hunting style and yours alone. Also, do some additional research to make sure you find a credible breeder, by asking around local dog or hunting clubs in addition to any research online that is available.
3. When you begin your training with your new pup, introduce them to water at a young age. Reinforce the fact that water is good and fun. And that playing in the water will bring the possibility of rewards and other positive benefits such as extra affection. If necessary, start in a kiddie pool or shallow waters, at least. Youg dog will be ready for open water soon after.
4. To begin teaching your dog commands, start with teaching it to sit and stay. These commands are the foundation for more intricate hunting commands later down the road. The best reward for teaching your dog to sit is food. Keep the food above your dogs head and tell them to sit while gently pressing on their hind legs at the same time. When your dog sits, reward it. After enough repetiion, your dog will begin to sit even when it sees a treat. After awhile, it will sit at your command without the need for a treat.
5. To begin training, expose your hunting dog to decoys while teaching them the difference between a decoy and bird scents. It is imperitive that your hunting dog begin to tell the difference between the two as soon as possible. Dont be afraid to use both to train your dog.
6. Practice as much as possible, as often as every day. Your dogs training should seem like playing time to your dog so that it will feel rewarded while its having fun.
7. When youre ready to take your dog out for some simulations, remember to show your dog how good of a job it is doing by rewarding it with positivity. After you send your dog out to retrieve a scented decoy, give them a treat and/or affection to let them know how satisfied you are with their work.
8. Familiarize your dog with as many actual simulations as possible before taking it out for the real deal. If you expect your hunting dog to work around gusn, then it is best to train your dog to be around guns. Participate in closed area simulated hunts with your dog. The main idea is that your hunting dog needs to be ready for the real thing if you expect your dog to hunt like a pro. Conditioning and Training and the best ways for your dog to do its best when you finally go hunt on hunting trips.
9.The more you train when not hunting, the better your dog will be at hunting. All of that positive reinforcement during training will start to pay off when out in the field on a real hunt, and you will definitely notice the difference.
10. If your dog is going to be hunting from a boat, remember to incorporate the boat into your training simulations. Familiarize your dog with the loading and unloading process as well as retrieving from the boat and bringing game back to it.
11. Dont make your dogs training overly complicated. You shoot the bird, he gets the bird.
Tips
• The use of treats is highly recommended during training, use them as much as you need to, to get the results you are looking for.• During training, use as many simulations as you can make time for.
• When you begin shooting during training, start by shooting near your dog and eventually work your way to shooting just above your dog so that it will not get scared when you got out for a real hunt.
Warnings
• Dogs are not human, do not expect them to understand english immediatley just because it is the language you speak. Training your hunting dog properly will take alot of time, patience, treatsa, and affection. Dont get mad at your dog and do not get frustrated with your dog if things are progressing as quickly as you want them to. If your dog is having a hard time, the problem is probably the way you are training him. If you explore different training techniques while spending quality time utilizing them, without getting any results, you may want to consider hiring a professional.
