Hunting Dog Training Tips
BUZZ, BUZZ, BUZZ its 5:00 AM and the alarm goes off. Thunderstorms rolled through during the night but you push to get yourself out of bed and turn the alarm off. You start the coffee maker and let the dogs out. You get dressed and head off to the training grounds. That's because you enjoy spending time in the outdoors, not a gym. You head to that local field with your dogs preparing them for the upcoming hunting season.
It's that time of year where we need to get ready for hunting season. We are by no means a professional dog trainer, however we do read a lot of articles and watch a lot of videos regarding dog training. We have trained our dogs and feel our methods may help some of you.
- Train Early & Train Often
- You never know what life is going to throw at you on any given day. By training first thing in the morning you get it out of the way. Also this is good conditioning for you and your dog for those early mornings in the blind. First thing in the morning, we feel a dogs concentration is highest and other people/distractions are at a minimal.
- First thing in the morning is the coolest part of the day which will help you to keep heat stroke and other aliments at bay. Remember that heat will take just as much out of your pup as it does you. If you don't like training in the heat, why would your pup?
- Remember your hunting dog is an athlete and you need to get them in shape. Training everyday is crucial. Yes, there will be those days that you take off or something has come up; but make it a priority to train your dog daily. You'll be thankful when opening day comes around. The next several months will go by fast, the last thing you want to do is try and train your dog into shape the last two weeks. We always try to remember that its the bond you have with your pups that is just as important.
- Have Fun & Make them a part of the family
- In several month your dog is going to be put to the test. Blind retrieves, doubles, triples; who knows what obstacles you're going to face out there. By having fun before, after and in-between trainings your dog will know that training and retrieving is serious and not to be taken lightly.
- Not all training has to be about retrieving, take your pup fishing. While fishing you can work on their steadiness, heeling, and other basic obedience.
- Our dogs are not just hunting dogs, but they are part of our family. If we're running into town to pick up a gallon of milk, we take them with. We work them into every minute of our schedule. We've noticed that when we take them more places they have less tendency to wander off and be stubborn.
