Producing a "finished" hunting dog, one that will perform the
tasks of pointing out game or retrieving game, is not a simple
matter. In some cases, it can take several hunting seasons and
specialized training equipment to achieve the desired results.
It would be ludicrous to begin training a dog to perform
hunting skills without first teaching it basic obedience. Your
dog must be able to sit, stay, remain quiet and come on demand
before moving into the more complex areas of the hunt. The
success of the hunt, as well as the safety of the dog and its
handler, is directly correlated to the dog's performance and
self control. For example, an unruly dog that barks at incoming
geese will not only spoil the hunt, but will not be invited back
again. Further, a dog that bolts out of a blind too quickly can
jeopardize a shot and even cause a shooting accident. Control
is most essential.
When the hunter is ready to begin training his dog for the
hunt, there is a variety of equipment that will prove valuable.
Probably the first and most essential item is a piece of
3/8-inch polypropylene rope of about 30 feet in length. The
rope allows the handler to maintain control of his dog during
exercises and eliminates the chance of having to chase the dog
and correct him for straying.
Most dogs have a natural fear of loud noises, especially
gunfire. Therefore, the trainer will have to involve a training
pistol or firearm in his training program. A handgun is
preferable; a shotgun is too large and difficult to handle
while holding the lead line and juggling other training
devices. When training the retriever, training "bumpers" or
dummies are utilized to teach the dog to fetch. These aides
come in various colors and sizes. White bumpers are generally
used for "marking" drills where the dog is being taught to
retrieve by sight and colored bumpers are used for "running
blinds" where the dog is sent blindly into an area to retrieve
a downed bird that fell out of sight.
The retriever should be trained to respond to the sound of a
whistle. The voice of the dog's handler will not always be loud
enough or distinct enough to alert the dog to give up the search
and return to the handler's side. Some of the more elaborate
whistles come with built-in megaphones that allow the sound to
be heard more easily and direct the blaring sound away from the
hunter(s). They are usually well worth the extra cost.
Some trainers will use a friend or "bird boys" who position
themselves some distance from the trainer and toss the bumpers
high into the air to simulate a falling bird. For those who
train without assistance, bird launchers are a big help. These
launchers come in single or multiple bird capacity; however,
they are usually bulky and can be expensive.
Electric dog training collars are effective but controversial.
These collars have a small electronic device attached that
administers a remote controlled mild electric shock to the dog.
The control is hand held by the trainer. These pieces of
equipment allow an immediate correction when the dog fails to
respond to the more conventional command. The level of shock
involved has been compared to the static shock one receives
from a carpet or from touching a car door handle in cold
weather. Actually, the electric collar could be considered a
humane alternative to the aggressive tactics or brute force
used by some trainers.
One of the best ways to embark on training your hunting dog is
learn from the experts. Training tips and guidelines are now
available on tapes that show the student step by step training
procedures. These instructional tapes should be on every novice
trainer's list of essential training equipment.
When you're training your dog in the wilds you should be
prepared to care for him if he is injured. Therefore, the final
thing on our list of essentials is a First Aid Kit. Many of the
items you'll need for your dog are also appropriate for use on
humans, so the kit can be mutually beneficial to both you and
your dog. Fill the kit with such items as: sterile bandages,
topical solutions, tape, scissors, tweezers, antibiotic
ointments such as Neosporin, ibuprofen (safe for both humans
and canines) and possibly a veterinarian prescribed
anti-inflammatory such as Deramaxx or Rimadly. A well stocked
First Aid Kit has prevented many a pleasant hunting trip from
becoming a nightmare.
About The Author: To learn more about dog training basics
visit: www.manifestingpower.com/seo/dogs.html
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