Having the right retriever training equipment will make the task of teaching your dog easier. It will also keep your retriever from developing some bad habits along the way.
Four easy marking drills for retrievers
Teach your retriever to mark better for more effective hunting Many people believe you don’t need to teach a retriever how to mark a bird falling to the ground. That they will just do it naturally. And some might. But, in my experience, marking is a skill that retrievers learn. And working on the skill […]
Can I train my dog when its hot outside?
When training retrievers for hunting or hunt tests, there is a lot to consider. One element that is high on the list of considerations is weather. In the Midwest, our weather can change daily. And in the summer heat and humidity are a real concern.
How to teach retrievers to quarter a field
6 steps to flawless quartering Upland hunting with a retriever can be a fun and exciting way to spend a day. Watching your dog work a field, finding and flushing birds for you to shoot can be a wonderful thing. That is assuming your dog understands what his job is and hunts with you, not […]
The problem with praise
Training dogs is a process of teaching a dog to respond to praise and correction. During the training process, we praise the dog for good and acceptable behavior. We correct dogs for bad or unacceptable behavior. Through this process, the dog learns how to act and respond in a way that makes their owners happy. […]
Help, my retriever won’t fetch anymore!
When your hunting dog stops delivering birds Retriever breeds, as their name suggests, generally have an innate desire to retrieve. This can be fun for playing a game of fetch or exercising the dog, but there is also a more practical side. Retrievers make great duck an upland bird dogs for hunters. Their natural desire […]
Why teach your (hunting) dog pressure
As we start our training season again, I am reminded, as I am each year, why it is important for owners to teach their young puppies to deal with pressure. The dogs that come for training can generally be placed into two groups: dogs that handle pressure and dogs that don’t. The ones that handle […]
Important commands for your retriever
There are several obedience commands retrievers need to learn to become good, responsible companions both in the field and at home, but the two that are most important are SIT and HERE.
Is your puppy chewing up all your stuff?
Puppies can be cute, cuddly, and lovable. But they can also be quite destructive. Especially when left unsupervised. After raising dozens of puppies, I have learned some tricks that can help you maintain a good relationship with your puppy and keep your puppy from chewing up all your stuff. Learning through experience Our first puppy […]
Training your 6-month-old Labrador puppy
Moving into your puppy’s sixth month, you should notice a dramatic change in your dog’s ability to learn and progress through training. Most dogs show some maturity at six-months of age and all the work you have done up to this point (assuming you have done the work in the previous posts) should start coming […]
Raising a well-balanced puppy without losing your mind!
Balancing play time and crate time We recently picked up a black Lab puppy to add to our household. His name is Ink. It has been quite a few years since I have needed to raise a puppy, and I had forgotten just how much work puppies can be. Especially those first few months. Young […]
How to find a good Labrador puppy
Many people start their search with good intentions. They want to find a good quality pup that will serve as a hunting companion as well as a family dog. However, somewhere along the way they end up just picking up a cute puppy that the family could not resist.
Raising a Lab puppy to be a duck or gun dog
The first few months of a puppy’s life are so important, and yet many people get so caught up in the cuteness of these bundles of fur that they disregard any training until the dog is much older.
Should I buy a started (retriever) dog?
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 […]
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, 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 5-month age, […]
Male or female hunting dog puppy?
As professional retriever trainers, we are often asked, “Should I get a male or a female puppy for a hunting dog?” While I understand the question, this decision is often not as simple as it appears. There are many things to consider when deciding if you want a male or female hunting dog puppy. What […]
Are you using these dog commands correctly?
Many dog training problems occur from confusion and inconsistency. Sometimes these inconsistencies are so subtle that you don’t even realize that they are causing confusion for your dog. Here are some situations and commands we often see as professional dog trainers, that can cause confusion for your dog: Calling your dog to come towards you […]
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 […]