If there's a new pup in your life, or
an older gun dog in need of a tune-up, now's the time to decide
what training route the two of you plan to take. Buying and bringing
home a new dog is the easy part. If you've done your homework
and purchased a well-bred dog from good hunting stock, the next
step involves beginning the training process.
Can you do it yourself, or should you consider the services of
a professional trainer?
Most experienced handlers agree that training gun dogs is a commitment
that shouldn't be taken lightly. On the other hand, it isn't
rocket science. The bottom line is be prepared to devote enough
time to develop your dog to its full potential.
So, should you train your gun dog yourself, or hire a professional?
If you're considering hiring a professional gun dog trainer,
put away your checkbook until your pup matures. Not all dogs
learn at |
the same rate, but by the time they are
eight, or nine-months old, they are ready for advanced training.
With few exceptions, most pro trainers won't take in dogs until
this time. Socialization, basic training, commands, play-training
and early retrieving sessions can be done by anyone with minimal
time on his, or her hands. Short, ten-minute sessions, a couple
of times a day, will do the trick
Early development of all gun dogs pointers, retrievers
and flushers is basically the same during the first few
months of life. Basic commands and play-training, prior to more
advanced training, can be combined while you build a strong bond
with your new pup. Commands should be kept to a minimum, regardless
of breed. All that puppies need to learn at this stage is their
name and the commands NO and COME.
Names selected for hunting dogs need to be short and sweet. Single
syllable names are best, while |
two-syllable versions also work well. Avoid names that
sound like commands.
Pups should associate the command NO with undesirable behavior.
Early physical restrain is associated with this command, comes
up during the housebreaking process and will be later reinforced
with collars and check cords in the field. The command COME is
quite easily introduced to puppies during their first few months.
As they grow, this command needs to be reinforced with a check
cord. Remember the #1 rule of dog training, never give a command
you can't enforce.
Play training is often the stage that's skipped by the average
dog owner. Dog training book in hand, many well-intentioned handlers
skip to later chapters way too soon.
We must let pups develop at their own pace, giving them exposure
to the wonderful world of birds and hunting in a positive, enjoyable
manner. At this stage the dog is teaching Basic himself with
no pressure or punishment. Introduction to the field is something
that should be done slowly and without much restraint. I let
my young dogs drag a short, fifteen, to twenty-foot check cord
during their early runs in the field. This introduces them to
the cord without much restraint. It's
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