When choosing a dog, people base their decisions on many different factors. With so many breeds to choose from, hunters, for example, base their choice on the type of hunting they want to do with the dog.
However, no matter what hunting breed you choose there is one thing that is essential — bird dog training. Apart from being very enjoyable, it is crucial for a hunting dog. The most important thing about such training is that it must start quite a long time before the first real hunting trip.
All bird-hunting breeds have natural instincts that make them good for that type of hunting, but will still need bird dog training to learn how to control those instincts. It makes hunting much more enjoyable both the hunter and the dog. It is unpleasant when hunting to yell at a dog that never listens. The main purpose of a good bird dog training program is to learn to communicate with your dog. All you need is consistency — it takes many weeks, even months, to learn that lesson.
Hunting dogs have an inborn need to please their owner. It’s like second nature. Usually, hunting breeds are quick learners and are very eager to go hunting. But dogs need their trainer to be very consistent with training. That teaches the dogs to follow the hunter’s commands, and in the end, the dog knows exactly what the hunter wants it to do, which will ensure a plentiful and successful experience hunt after hunt.
Training for bird hunting is not only limited to upland game hunting, but also applies to hunting waterfowl. Training for water dogs emphasizes the dog’s ability to stay and mark the spot where the fowl lands; however, the main goal of training is still to learn how to communicate, because only the faultless communication between the hunter and his dog can deliver maximum pleasure from a hunting experience.
Although it has to be very consistent, it does not have to take up lots of time. Researches show that if 5 to 10 minutes are spent with the dog each day, especially at feeding time, to practice a certain technique, the dog will learn. Any minute you spent with the dog can be used as such training. A retrieving game, for example, not only provides good exercise for the dog but also teaches marking and staying, as well as retrieving to the hands of the owner. Even if bird dog training doesn’t deliver dog show quality training, it will at least save you the unpleasant experience of yelling at the dog every time you need him to do something while you are supposed to be having great time hunting.
