Training Tips

• 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 over a young dog or even too close  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 dog, object or 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.

Things To Consider

    It is very important that we as responsible pet owners should consider carefully the breed we want to share our lives with. All dogs are wonderful, however the breed characteristics can be very much misunderstood. Without researching carefully, you might find some of their characteristics totally undesirable!

    There are so many so called cute breeds; i.e. Blue Heelers, Corgis etc. These Heelers and Corgis are herding breeds, they will herd sheep, dogs and children. Nipping at their heels and ankles. This is not aggressive behavior but what they were bred to do. This is a common consulting concern I get all the time. Research your breed of interest and call your breed rescue to speak with knowledgeable individuals. However, keep in mind many people want you to buy, or rescue their dogs regardless of your personal needs or interest.

    Another breed that is highly intelligent is the Border Collie. If you are not going to give this dog a job don't get this breed! They are high energy dogs that need a whole lot of physical and mental stimulation. As with any of the dogs bred to work consider this instead of how cute they are. This is an injustice to our dogs not to allow them to do what they were bred for. There are many breeds that were bred for pets and really pets alone. If you are inactive don't get a high energy dog. Some people say, "Well if I have a big yard they can run around". I say, "run around and do what, destroy the molding on your house, dig holes in your yard"? Dogs left in the yard get bored and the destruction will begin. The dog is a social animal. What will he or she be socializing with in your yard? Get involved in training your dog in some activity! There are a numerous activities, obedience, hunting, agility, tracking, fly ball, search and rescue. All these activities are good for you and your dog. Be active with your dog!

    If you are a hunter, what you hunt is an important consideration in what breed you select. All birds are easily worked with retrievers. I push retrievers because I have trained numerous breeds over the years. Labradors are the most versatile breed. Retrievers can flush and be steady to shot in any hunting situation. Keep in mind Golden's, Flat Coats, Curly Coast and Chesapeake's display to a degree different temperaments. Research! Most other breeds such as Spaniels, German Shorthaired Pointers, Weimaraner Can be as good, if started early enough. Somehow along the way people are getting the wrong information about when to begin training. EARLY... the earlier the better! Starting a pup at 7 weeks is the very best you can do to get your young dog started. Exposing that puppy to its environment gets the confidence growing and those genetic instincts fired up and ready to go in the area of serious learning. You have to take advantage of them while their interest to learn is at its peak. Puppies are generally very curious and love to explore their environment. You never want to see a fearful hunting dog regardless of the breed! Expose them to the elements early and build their confidence.

    I hear all the time... "I don't duck hunt, my dog doesn't need water work". Dogs need to know how to swim for their own safety. We teach "get in the water". This is to cool a hot dog down during training or hunting. Doves do fall into ponds all the time. Who is going to get that bird if your dog does not retrieve in the water? Many people throw their dogs in the water to teach them to swim. This can and does cause serious problems. This may be why some dogs have an aversion to the water.

    Another really serious item very much worth discussing is exposing dogs to guns. DO NOT TAKE ANY DOG TO A SHOOTING RANGE OR OUT TO SOME GUN CLUB HUNT! This is one of the most insane things humans do to their dogs besides shooting over their puppies at eight weeks old. Exposing dogs to gunfire is a gradual process and if done correctly is a positive experience for that dog. Dogs with gun problems are out of control these days. Unfortunately, for the dogs that they have had owners that did not take the time to learn what to do prior to acquiring a dog. I have dogs that have never had a regular collar on or have ever been on a leash. Some of these dogs do not even really know their name. They don't know sit or down. They do not come when called. This is such an injustice to dogs. If you have a very busy schedule why would you want to bring a dog into that type of situation? Dogs are not furniture or yard ornaments. Why would you even want a dog if you are just going to store them in an outdoor kennel? These are all questions and considerations you should think about long and hard before the impulse is there to get a dog. Be responsible, do your research, investigate and then make your decision.

    Dogs and Children. The common statement, "I want my children to learn responsibility" - you mean, you want your wife to have one more item to take care of plus you and the children. Rarely are children responsible to their pets. They mean well, but they are not going to be responsible! They have studies, sports, friends. Very few children have their dogs as a priority. Those children that do are a rare encounter . You might want to try a gold fish first and see how that goes before getting a dog.

    Another issue to bring up is how many dogs? I have also had numerous people come out with their small children and two puppies! Are you crazy? It is hard enough to get a pup to pay attention to you when they are exploring their universe. Add another puppy and they will focus on one another. All things are achievable if you have the time, finances and patience. However, it is very difficult if you are a novice! Think long and hard and do your research. Remember research the breed. Consult breeders, rescues and professional trainers prior to getting your dog.

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