With the hunting seasons nearing, a good idea is to have a dog log. I use this to record training sessions on a daily basis. I also note things during and after the hunting season. This will give me the info needed on what improvements need to be made.
Now lets say you are gearing up your training and have the list of drills and areas you are going to work on. Prioritize from the easiest task to the most difficult. Start with the easiest and work your way up. Take a good look at your drills and if they are really where the work is needed.
Next, only do one task at a time. Lets say you have been working on the hold and your dog is solid. So next you work on a trained retrieve drill. work on the trained retrieve drill only. There is a good chance you dog will be sloppy on some holds while learning the task of the new drill. Don’t get wrapped up in correcting the hold until the dog is confident in the new task. At that time you can go back and correct the hold.
One of my training sessions goes as follows. First I like to air the dog out for 10 or 15 minutes. Just walking with very little commands. Next about a ten or 15 minute drill. If it is a new drill to the dog I use very little pressure. Remember to set the dog up for success. After the drill I will go on about a 1/2 hour walk. A little command work, some fun bumpers and swimming.
As the season gets closer you want to get into as many hunting situations as possible. The dog is not going to act and react the same in the field. Go to game farms on hunts or realize that you first hunt of the season is going to be a pre-season game.
Please feel free to add any training tips that you use. Thanks, Don.
“If your dog does not flush a bird out of range once in awhile, your not hunting enough”.
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