Training the best hunting partner

Tips for training the best hunting partner

HUNTER HARRELL

Dogs are driven and determined animals. Some breeds are also adept athletes, which means they are more alert, agile and independent. These characteristics breed fantastic hunting partners, as long as they are properly prepared for the position.

For dogs to learn the necessary skills to assist a hunter in the field, training begins at a young age. So, what steps should hunters take to train their companion in order to develop its potential as it grows? Simply practice your ABCs.

ATTITUDE

While many believe in beginning with basic commands, the owner’s bond with their animal is actually most important. A hunting dog will be a partner in your failure and success in the field. The puppy phase is the best time to learn more about your animal’s personality and internal drive. So socializing them early and often is key to forming a positive relationship with the pup.

When owners begin to train puppies to be hunting dogs, it is also important that they make each interaction enriching for the animal. If you want a hunting dog that is both independent and obedient, help the dog develop sharper instincts by acclimating them to a variety of activities and letting them explore different areas of the countryside.

BASICS

Once an owner understands a puppy’s personality, it will be easier to determine its strengths and weaknesses. Begin introducing basic commands to the dog one at a time. Most trainers want to begin with multiple commands, but it can confuse a young puppy. Start slowly with a social command, such as, no, heel or sit, before combining requests that test the animal’s responsiveness.

Though mastering the basic commands will feel like baby steps, that is how trainers build a solid foundation for hunting companions. Practice obedience skills regularly, then move on to more advanced requests, such as steadying, marking and retrieving.

CONDITIONING

There is still so much work to do after mastering commands and working on advanced drills. In fact, the key to success is conditioning your companion to provide a consistent response to a command. Experts say it takes about 1000 repetitions or about 1 month of training for a dog to understand what is expected of them. In addition to continued practice, building a dog’s attention span, endurance and independence is part of the conditioning process.

MISTAKES TO AVOID:

* Never chase or play tug-of-war with the dog. Behaviors established when engaging in these games can be a detriment when training a hunting dog. * Do not use negative reinforcement. The dog will make mistakes, both while training and in the field. Always treat the animal with respect and use positive reinforcement to correct behavior. * Instincts are important. Consider energetic breeds with a strong work ethic, such as spaniels, retrievers, pointers and setters.

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