Gun Dog Training Basics

Hunting dogs primarily consist of hound dogs (sighthounds and scent hounds) and gun dogs (retrievers, setters, spaniels, pointers, and water dogs).Lots of other dog breeds also fall under the Sporting Group and make great hunting dogs. Each has its own unique way of hunting and capturing prey. If your dog is one of the breeds that are good at hunting and you’re thinking of training your dog to hunt with you, following are some basic tips to point you in the right direction.

The ideal age to start training a dog is disputed between 6-8 months. A puppies attention span is very small as they wont want to sit for more than 10 seconds at a time. It is more important to keep the puppy active, happy and confident to ensure in later life they do not lack these skills in the field.

1.Socialization .

Socializing a dog is important as your gun dog will be working with other dogs in the field. This can be done by taking your dog into busy environments to experience new environments and new people. This will then make them use to different environments noises and surroundings, making them calm when it comes to working in the field.

2. Rewarding

It is important to tell the dog if it has done well and having a treat or a favored toy will show the dog that what it has done is correct, encouraging the dog to do the same action again to gain a reward. This will also allow you to keep your puppies attention in training and on the field.

3. Obedience Training

While your dog is still young it is a great idea to enroll into obedience classes not only does this teach the dog the basic commands. Training also socializes the dog, allows them to learn how to focus and allows you to gain your dog’s attention and trust at any time. Teaching the dog to stay by your side without a lead until told to leave will benefit you and the dog in the field by reducing the hassle of letting the dog off the lead every time you require the dog to retrieve.

4.Field Training

Using the basic commands; Retrieve, Stay and Come you will be able to do basic training in the field. By using a training dummy it will allow for your dog to get use to retrieving a life size object, getting them use to weight and size of birds like it would once fully trained. If using a dummy don’t let the dog retrieve it every time, this teaches the dog to wait for your command. This makes it a natural and fun way for the dog to work, giving you a willing, fit dog.