Successful Bird Dog Training
There are many factors that influence a persons decision when choosing a dog. If you are choosing a hunting dog and what to use them as a hunting dog there is nothing more important than bird dog training. This training is crucial for any hunting dog, but it can also be very enjoyable for the dog. Bird dog training needs to start a while before you actually plan your first hunting trip with the dog.
While you need to be consistent with bird dog training, you don't have to make it take up a lot of your time. Just spending five to ten minutes a day with your dog, especially during feeding time, can help the dog learn certain techniques. Nearly any time you spend with your dog can be used as training. You can exercise your dog and play with them by doing a retrieving game which helps to teach the dog making and staying as well retrieving for the owner. When it comes training your dog there are three important commands you need to teach your dog.
The Three Commands
Of all the commands you teach with bird dog training, stop is the most important of all. This command makes it possible to have your dog stop at any time and is very helpful if your dog is out in front of you when you go hunting. By making your dog stop you can go to them and correct any misbehavior right on the spot. This means the learning process is faster and it can be helpful when rewarding your dog for doing good.
The second most important command is come, this is an essential tool in bird dog training. By commanding your dog to come you can avoid having your dog messing around in the field or chewing on a small bird. You can also use this command to correct any unwanted behavior or to praise good behavior. A major part of bird dog training is teaching your dog to stop and then come. The major of bird dog training is complete after these two steps, since you will be stopping and retrieving your dog all the time.
The final command is heel which allows your dog to slowly walk with you so you can keep them under control. When hunting your hands are occupied with items such as fallen birds or your gun, you don't have the extra hand for a leash or a disobedient dog. However, in order to have a heel command you should also have a release command. This way your dog can have a clear distinction between the heel command and the ability to be free to go and hunt.
