Do not use harsh corrections or punish a young dog.


Do not do long retrieves with your young dog because their attention span is very short. Also too much of anything can become boring.


Do not give a young dog a live flyer because they may eat the bird and you have just possibly created a real serious problem. Use bumpers, dokkens or frozen birds.


Do not shoot too close or even over a young dog. Do not take them to the shooting range and think you are desensitizing them to gunfire. Dogs are not born gun-shy. They become that way by owners who have not taken the time to educate themselves or to consult with a professional trainer. This can be a serious and at times irreversible problem.


Do not put the bumper/dokken/bird in a young dogs face by pushing it to their nose. Instead entice the dog by dragging it along the ground to gain their interest. If you perceive this from the dog's point of view, it is less threatening.


Do not pull or tug at anything in the dog's mouth he has retrieved. Instead roll it down and out with your command to "leave it" or "drop". This is less damaging for the object of bird. Hopefully, you do not create hard mouth. No matter what breed you have it is never a good idea to tug at something a dog has in its mouth. It can easily come out and the dog grabs back at the object hard and fast. Your hand or arm may get caught in the middle of this act. Never a good thing to do! Never a good thing for children to do!


Do not get mad or correct a dog for retrieving shoes or clothing you left out. The dog is doing what he is bred to do... retrieve. Call the dog to you with a "good here" and "good leave it". Then put the items up that you do not want your dog to have. If you correct or punish the dog... you could alter their desire and natural enthusiasm to retrieve.


Do not confuse your dog by being inconsistent with your commands. If you choose to use "fetch", stick with that command and not use some other word occasionally. Later you can increase your dog's vocabulary. For now, be simple and consistent.


Do not allow your dog to jump on you while you are training and then use a correction for them jumping on you while you are in dress clothes. You can teach your do when it is alright to jump, but only on command. Dogs do not differentiate between dress clothes and field clothes. Be fair about all of this. It is your fault and not the dogs.


Do not throw one bumper/dokken/bird for more than one dog. You will create the "keep away syndrome". Other responses can be aggression, or to not retrieve at all. Neither is a positive response. Another possibility is that the dogs collide while retrieving the same object and you now have an injured dog. Dogs can be all together to play but keep the competition out of the picture.


Do not get a sporting breed and expect it to be docile and happy just napping and hanging out. They were bred to work and be active. To do anything else is an injustice to an animal. A dog that is actively doing what it was bred to do is usually happy and well adjusted.


Do educate yourself and your family about the breed you are interested in prior to acquiring this dog. Be certain that you understand that this is a lifetime commitment; not a shop and return if it is not what you wanted while daydreaming about dogs. You are responsible for this dog's life, nutrition, exercise, well-being, training and health. It is not a small responsibility but a huge and rewarding responsibility for the right person. If you are a hunter, make sure the breed you want is the proper breed for that type of hunting you do. Some breeds like Labradors, Goldens, Chesapeake, Flats and Curly-Coat Retrievers are versatile and can do it all. Other breeds have one thing that they do well and that is all. Some dogs flush and point and don't retrieve. You have to accept that they have their limits. Some dogs are more easily trained and receptive to training, while others are limited. The dogs that are the best at being trained and easy to get along with people and the most adaptable to any given situation are the dogs that are chosen as service dogs. Labradors and Golden Retrievers are used more than any other breed. Think about that long and hard. Why do you think they use certain dogs for some of the most difficult of tasks?


Do educate yourself and family on canine behavior. It is important that you and your family learn some of the important signs/body language of a dog. This can save your dog from attack or you from being attacked. Know the Four F's... Freeze, Fear, Flight or Fight. Observe a dog's mouth, ears, tail and piloerectus.


Do create a bond of trust with your dog by being clear with your concepts when teaching and consistent with your commands and expectations.


Do keep your training simple and in progressive steps. Obviously, that is one step at a time.


Do use good birds. Make sure your birds do not have exposed flesh. This is important with young dogs and first-time retrieving dogs.


Do be cognizant of your body language, your dog cues on this more than your verbal commands.


Do work happily with your dogs when new concepts are being presented. This attitude will motivate your dog in a positive direction. Learning should be fun and not too stressful in the beginning.


Do end your training with "fun bumpers" and some play. Try to end your sessions with your dog experiencing success.


If you find yourself in a negative or stressful mood and you are unable to relax, do not train. The right frame of mind is important to create the atmosphere for learning. We all want to enjoy our dogs, don't let your ego get in the way of you and your dog having a good time.