Bird Dog Training

The time you spend on your dog with bird dog training will be a source of joy for you and your dog. There is nothing quite like this bonding period, both during and after training, when it becomes an accomplished bird dog.

In these field outings, you need to work closely as a team. There shouldn't be any room for error. After all, you may be carrying a weapon with you when you're both ready to go out into the field.

The 3 Basic Commands

Most experts agree that for training bird dogs, the three most important commands that should be learned quickly are "whoa", "come" and "heel."

If you spend time patiently with your dog getting these commands right, you're well on your way to having a great bird dog!

Of these three commands, we can safely say that "whoa" is THE most important. That means "STOP!" That tells your dog it should not do anything else and it should stop dead in its tracks until instructed.

Importance Of Respecting Commands

The dog must obey and respect this command totally; no matter how near or far they may be from you. This is actually a good thing. This command can come in handy in other situations, possibly preventing any mishaps.

Initially, your dog may not bring a bird to you. An injured or dead bird just might be too much for your dog, so it may decide to play and mess around with it.

Obviously, you'll need to stop this behavior because you want him to bring it to you. You may also go hunting with someone else and your dog may interfere with another person's kill.

You have to make your dog understand that there is a greater reward in bringing the bird to you rather than messing about with it. You need to be patient and offer lots of praise for desirable behavior.

Dogs love to go out, no matter where it is, with the exception of the vet! During training, you may spend a fair amount of time in the field. Your dog needs to get used to this environment.

Be Prepared - Get The Best Equipment

Don't forget that you will need some special equipment as well. There are all kinds of training accessories for your dog like an electronic caller, but what about you? There are books and DVDS, bird callers, carrying cases - virtually anything you need to make bird hunting successful.

You will become a better team with more time spent with each other, based on respect, love and trust. You both need each other to make bird hunting successful. It will happen. After all, you've both worked hard during bird dog training.

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