also a great time to fire that first .22 blank shot over your pup while he's chasing a meadowlark across the field. Gunfire should always be associated with something pleasurable. Later, when we plant birds in the field during the more formal training process, gunfire will be greeted with enthusiasm. Depending on your pup's breed, the introduction of the commands SIT, STAY, DOWN for retrievers, WHOA, STAY for pointers and HUP, STAY for flushers starts during the pups early months and begins the restraining command process. Complete obedience at this stage of your pup's training process should not be expected. However, more advanced training, like blind retrieves for retrievers, pointer WHOA breaking, or flusher whistle-breaking should take place when they reach eight, or nine months of age and should demand complete obedience. This involves equipment like choke collars, check cords, live birds, etc. Truly "finished" dogs aren't developed until they're a year and a half old and have at least one hunting season under their belt. Should you find yourself up to your neck with problems, lack of know-how, or time, you may want to consider utilizing the services of a professional trainer. Plan on investing much more than the purchase price of your pup. Most training programs involve months, not weeks of dog work. And running a profitable, quality gun dog training kennel operation is an expensive endeavor. But you'll find that the end result, in most cases, is a hunting dog worth bragging about. You'll find the names of many fine full-time professionals under Training in the Marketplace section of Bird Dog & Retriever News. Also check out the various breeders listed, as many of them offer training services, as well as pups, started

and finished dogs. So, no matter how you complete the process, a well-trained hunting dog will bring you many years of pleasure in the uplands and marshes. You owe it to yourself and your dog to bring out the best in both of you. Ken M. Blomberg Hails from Junction City, WI

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