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Post by Collegehunter00 on Jan 20, 2018 17:04:41 GMT -5
I am new to training a duck dog. I have a 5 month Beagle Lab mix named Luke. I have already taught him commands like sit, heel, come, give, and fetch. I'm an avid deer and turkey hunter, but I have never really considered waterfowl hunting. I have never known where to start and I don't know anyone who waterfowl hunts. So I decided I would start with training my dog. If anyone has any tips or training exercises all would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by hornzilla on Jan 20, 2018 17:59:02 GMT -5
If basic is done start with the retrieve. For the first few times it can be done with out help. Simple toss a bumper and see if the dog will retrieve. If it does praise dog so it knows what is expected. If dog picks up bumper and runs. Do not chase and make a game of keep away. Simply command NO and walk away. They will drop it or bring it back if it's not a game.
After this is mastered. Then work on a Honor no brake retrieve. This means dog doesn't go till sent. This is achieved by a 6 foot piece of rope hooked to dog. Stand on other end and toss bumper. If dog takes off it comes to a quick stop at end of rope. Reset then send on name.
After this help is needed to a launcher so dog doesn't get use to you always tossing bumper.
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Post by nfalls116 on Jan 20, 2018 18:11:33 GMT -5
If basic is done start with the retrieve. For the first few times it can be done with out help. Simple toss a bumper and see if the dog will retrieve. If it does praise dog so it knows what is expected. If dog picks up bumper and runs. Do not chase and make a game of keep away. Simply command NO and walk away. They will drop it or bring it back if it's not a game. After this is mastered. Then work on a Honor no brake retrieve. This means dog doesn't go till sent. This is achieved by a 6 foot piece of rope hooked to dog. Stand on other end and toss bumper. If dog takes off it comes to a quick stop at end of rope. Reset then send on name. After this help is needed to a launcher so dog doesn't get use to you always tossing bumper. Never trained a duck dog but basics and leash breaking are awesome. Great advice on not reinforcing bad behavior by making a game out of chase the bad dog. |
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Post by Collegehunter00 on Jan 20, 2018 18:35:20 GMT -5
He is already playing fetch and brings it back consistently. Thanks for the advice about the honor no brake retrieve. I will look into getting a launcher. I will start to introduce the nor break retrieve our training sessions tomorrow. Thanks again for the advice.
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Post by hornzilla on Jan 20, 2018 19:06:20 GMT -5
Any questions just ask or p.m. me. Or I live south of Brazil area on 59. Maybe do a training day. I will help you if I can. I have trained a few. Working a pup this year to replace my old dog. He has done well. He's retrieved 40 birds this year so far in his rookie year.
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Post by esshup on Jan 21, 2018 0:37:48 GMT -5
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Post by featherduster on Jan 21, 2018 4:46:11 GMT -5
I have been around waterfowl dogs all my life and my first piece of advise for you would be to get a full blooded waterfowl dog.
First choice would be a Lab, second choice a Chessie.
There are other dogs that can be used but these 2 should have in them from birth to hunts waterfowl.
Labs are the easiest to train and make great all around family/hunting companions.
I have always had females because to me they are easier to work with.
My greatest piece of training advise would be be gentle,reward good efforts and take time to understand why it is they don't understand the commands you are asking them to perform.
I would get a pup and from day one make everyday a training day of sorts even if its just tossing a rolled up sock for the pup to play with.
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Post by duff on Jan 21, 2018 5:15:59 GMT -5
Obedience has to be rock solid. Nothing worse than a misbehaved dog ruining a hunt. It has happened to me enough that i dont care to hunt with a dog unless I know it has the basics down.
There are tons of resources out there. 10 min retriever is good or Water dog. Both focus on obedience and then go up to force fetch and hand/wistle commands.
Good luck
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