In the market for a new hunting dog? Here is what you need to know. In the market for a new gun dog or duck dog? You may be considering all your options. Those options include getting a puppy and starting from scratch, or buying a started dog that has a little training under his […]
What whistle should I use to train my gun dog?
Selecting a whistle for your hunting or sporting dog – what to consider If you are looking for a whistle for training your hunting or gun dog, you may be shocked at how many options there are. It can be confusing, especially if you have never trained using a whistle. In this post I will […]
Can a hunting dog be a family pet?
If you want a hunting dog but your family wants a pet, you will be relieved to know that you don’t have to choose! Your hunting dog can be a family pet and your family pet can be a hunting dog. My husband and I are professional retriever trainers and most of our client dogs […]
Essential equipment for training a duck dog
A well-trained hunting partner starts in your yard – not the blind In my last post, I discussed the basic retriever training tools you need to train your hunting or gun dog. Those basic training tools are important, but depending on how and where you hunt, there are many other aspects and equipment your retriever […]
Training your 5-month-old Labrador puppy
Preparing your puppy for a life of hunting and/or competition Congratulations! If you are following my training of Bubba, you know that training a 3–4-month-old puppy is a big challenge. If you have made it to your puppy’s fifth month, you have made it through the hardest time. By the time your puppy reaches the […]
6 vital tools every gun dog trainer needs
If you plan on training your retriever for hunting, you may be wondering what equipment you will need. Here is the basic equipment you will need to start training your gun dog.
How long does it take to train a hunting (gun) dog?
Professional retriever training – why it’s worth the investment Having your retriever professionally trained is a big deal. I understand. It’s a huge investment in time and money. Many of you consider your dog a part of the family, and rightfully so. This probably explains why clients balk when we explain how long our training […]
Training your 4-month-old Labrador puppy?
Preparing for the teething stage If you have been following my puppy training program since the beginning, you will have some down time for the next month or so. This is not to mean that you will not be working with your puppy at all, but only means that you will not be adding any […]
Do I need to use birds to train my retriever?
Your job, as a trainer, is to put your retriever in these situations in a training environment where they can learn how to deal with birds.
Training your 14-week-old Labrador puppy?
If you have a 14-week-old Lab puppy, you probably have your hands full. They are growing quickly, both in size and knowledge, but they are also still a bit like toddlers, always getting into something. Here is the training for your 14-week-old Labrador puppy. Training and socialization for 14-week-old Labrador puppy Here are the […]
Training your gun dog – how to avoid injuries
Train smarter with these tips! After a long cold winter, you may be excited to get outside and do some serious retriever training . Your retriever is probably excited for that too! Here are some pro tips for avoiding injuries while training your gun dog. It’s important to start slow It’s likely, for many of […]
Training your 13-week-old Labrador puppy?
Start training your hunting dog now! Thirteen-week-old puppies are challenging. If you have heard of the terrible twos for toddlers, a three- or four-month-old puppy is very similar. They are still puppies and therefore are still cute, do some fun and hilarious things, but they are also very troublesome. You can’t turn your back on […]
Training your 12-week-old Labrador puppy?
The dreaded 3-month-old puppy I really enjoy young puppies. Seven- to 10-week-old puppies can be so much fun and while they can be trouble, it is easy to contain them. But when a puppy turns 12-weeks-old…. oh boy, let the games begin. Three-month-old puppies start feeling good about themselves. They think they have the world […]
How to teach retriever the No-No Drill
A dog’s natural tendency is to take the easy route to a retrieve. Unfortunately, the easy route may not be the straightest or shortest route. And whenever your retriever veers from a straight line to the bird, their memory can be hampered regarding where the bird landed.
Training your 11-week-old Labrador puppy?
Don’t wait to start training, your pup is ready now! Your puppy is almost 3-months old! It really is crazy how fast puppies grow and develop that first year. It might feel like you just adjusted his/her collar or just moved him/her to a new crate, and it is time to do it again. It […]
Teaching hunt-it-up
A drill for great pheasant hunting Hunt it up is a command we use to teach dogs to upland hunt. Having a retriever that can mark and run to where a downed pheasant or grouse lies is incredibly valuable. But having a dog that can hunt up a crippled bird or find the birds that […]
What training for 10-week-old Labrador puppy?
Raising a retriever puppy like the pros Your Labrador puppy can seem small and fragile during those first few weeks home from the breeder. But I assure you, he/she is not. Puppies this age are ready and willing to learn, so don’t let their small size deter you from diving right in with training. Labrador […]
What training for 9-week-old Labrador puppy?
Raising a Lab puppy, the professional way A hunting or competition dog’s ability and performance is greatly influenced by training done during the crucial first few months. Unfortunately, many new puppy owners feel that they should wait for the puppy to mature before starting any training. But this can be a major mistake. Retriever puppies […]
Gun Dog Nutrition
Long days of hunting and training require optimum nutrition for your retriever One of the easiest ways to keep your dog in good shape is to make sure that he is getting proper nutrition. Nutrition is very important for all dogs, but your gun dog needs optimum nutrition to make it through long days of […]
What should I do first week with new Labrador puppy?
We recently brought home Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to train her and raise her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. That means Bubba will be with for almost a year […]
