Teach your Lab to retrieve multiple ducks

A basic trained waterfowl dog can be a great asset when duck or goose hunting. But basic training has limitations. Most basic trained dogs have skills to mark a single duck or goose that you shoot down, swim or run out, pick it up and deliver it to you. But what if you shoot down two birds in close sequence? Or, more? Labs do not naturally understand how to retrieve multiple birds, they must be taught this concept. This is a skill that takes time and training to develop. Here is how you can teach your Lab to retrieve multiple ducks.

Can all dogs learn to retrieve multiple birds?

I believe all retrievers can learn to retrieve multiple marks, but some will learn it faster than others. And like all skills, some will struggle more than others.

What tools are needed to do this training?

To train your dog to do multiple marks, you will need:

• Several large white plastic bumpers. It is very important that these bumpers are white or black and white. Do not use orange. Dogs struggle to see orange and for this training we do not want the bumpers hard to see.
• A tab lead, especially if your dog is not steady. Tab leads can help you steady your dog at your side so that they stay sitting while you throw the second bumper.
• Patience. This skill takes time to grow and refine. You must start out simply and gradually add in distance and complexity as the dog’s memory expands.
• A large flat area with short grass or gravel.

How to teach your dog to retrieve multiple marks?

Start by having your dog sit at HEEL. If your dog is not steady, use a tab lead to hold them in that position.

Step 1:
Throw one bumper out to your left, around 20-30 feet from you. Then throw a second bumper out to your right. This one can be a bit further, because this is the GO bird – the one you will send your dog to retrieve first.

Step 2:
Send your dog for the last bumper thrown, commonly referred to as the GO bird.

Step 3:
While your dog is running out, turn your body to face the second bumper, the Memory bird. This will make sure that when your dog delivers the first bumper in a HEEL position, he will be lined up for the second bumper.   

Step 4:
Have your dog deliver the first bumper to a heel position. And take the bumper from him.

Step 5:
If your dog sees the second bumper and wants to go get it, send him for the second bumper. IF he is not looking at the second bumper, move your legs and try and get your dog to look out for the second bumper. Once you see your dog looking at the bumper, send them for that bumper.  

Step 6:
Have your dog deliver that bumper.

Congratulations! Your dog has done his first double.

What to do if your dog does not remember the second bumper

If your dog delivers the first bumper, but then seems confused and does not remember the second bumper, take a step towards the second bumper and send your dog again. Keep doing this until your dog sees the bumper and retrieves it.

If you are having this problem regularly, then make the memory bumper even shorter and closer to you. You can always build up to further away.

Building on the success

Keep practicing this drill and when your dog is quickly looking for the second bumper after delivering the first, you are ready to build on this success.

Increase distance

The first way to add complexity is by adding distance. Make the memory bumper further away and make your last throw longer. This will teach your dog to remember the second mark longer. This should still be done on relatively flat ground with little to no cover. The bumpers should still be easy to see.

Add cover

When your dog is ready, you can add some cover. Start by throwing only the GO bird in cover. This often will lead to a longer hunt for the GO bird so you will be increasing your dog’s memory. When your dog is confident and remembering the memory bird easily, throw the memory bird in cover also.

When would my dog use this skill?

Most waterfowl hunters know exactly when their dog would use this skill. When duck hunting, by yourself or with your hunting buddies, there will often be times when you can shoot down multiple ducks in very close succession. This is especially true when you have multiple hunters shooting.

However, most Labs or retrievers have only been taught to retrieve one item at a time. If you throw a ball, and your dog runs out to get it, that is a single mark. If you train with bumpers (which you should), most people still only throw one bumper and send the dog. That, again, is a single mark.

Multiple marks requires that your dog to build memory. The dog must remember where two or more birds fell, run out to pick up one, deliver that bird and then be sent for the next one. Dogs must be taught this skill and practice the skill often to become proficient at it.

What age to start this training?

Teaching your dog to do doubles can start very early in life. Very young dogs, say 12-14 weeks old, can learn to do doubles. But you might need to lower your expectations regarding steadiness and delivery.

Steadiness, when you teach your dog to wait to be sent for a throw or downed duck, should not be taught at this early age. Some people do, but we do not recommend it. Steadiness can be stifling for a dog that has low drive and desire. It can also be confusing for a very young dog and can cause retrieving problems in the future.

So, if you want to teach your puppy doubles, that is fine, just don’t expect complete steadiness. Instead, hold your puppy on a short leash or tab collar when throwing the bumpers out.  

What training should my dog have before learning multiple marks?

It is best if your dog is retrieving well and delivering the bumper or birds to HEEL and hand before you start training multiple marks. If you have a dog with low desire, it may be necessary to also have your dog go through a complete force fetch program prior to teaching multiples. The beautiful thing about force fetch is that it cleans up many delivery issues and so you don’t have to struggle with the sending and delivery also, while trying to teach multiple marks.

A few things to remember

If you expect your dog to retrieve a double when duck or goose hunting, it is important to remember a few things.

You dog must see all the birds go down. If you dog does not see a bird fall, he cannot mark the fall and therefore he cannot retrieve the bird. If you want your dog to be able to do blind retrieves, retrieves where the dog did not see the bird go down, but you are able to use hand signals to direct your dog to the fall, that is a totally different game and requires a lot more training.

You can advance your dog on multiple marks until they are able to do, not only doubles, but triples and quads also. But progress slowly and remember with each addition of a mark, make the memory bird easy at first.

Final thoughts on teaching your Lab to retrieve multiple birds

Teaching your dog to retrieve doubles can greatly improve your hunting experience. But the training does take time, and you need to understand that this skill must be practiced regularly for your dog to become proficient.

Remember, if you really want your retriever to grow and progress in his/her hunting this year but doing the training yourself sounds overwhelming or maybe your schedule is just too busy to get it done, I’m here to help! You can email me (ottertailkennels@gmail.com). I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer.

Until next time, happy retrieving.