Dog Training Help

[huntingbuddy]

I have alot of work to do before next season. I need decoys, calls, a new SBE II w/ a Pattern Master or a Briley goose choke. But namely the most work I have to do is dog training. I have a 5 yr old Brittany spaniel, he hasnt gotten to go hunting much, kinda weird cause thats why I bought him. Anyway I have neglacted training him. He has some obiedence problems, that I admit are my fault for not training him. I would like to at least have him water retrieve, and sit still. by the time the season gets here. What should I start with to get him trained? How much time should I spend with him on each training session. What are some of the tools I could use? Are there some good training videos out there I could refer to?

[mdh2ofowler]

At that age I would reinforce the basics (sit, stay, come, retrieve, give) first. Then I would start workin him with bumpers and around the shotgun in a few months after you have fixed his "obedience" problems. Also, Barry (huntersridgekennel) and some of them boys might be able to provide a little better insight. I use duck and goose training bumpers (look like like fake birds) and a tri-tronics collar on my black lab. If he has the desire to retrieve then he biggest thing I would say is work on his obedience stuff first, then work on hand or whistle signals and marking.
Good Luck

[HRK]

pick up the video by richard wolters "gun dog" and some bumpers and deadfowl trainers, use an e collar and work him aleast 15 minutes a day. that video does a awsome job of explaing things and how to do it.

[mdh2ofowler]

Thanks Barry-
I couldn't remember the name of that video, I know you've mentioned it in other posts, do you know where I could pick a copy of it up?

[huntingbuddy]

My dog will go after dead (live) birds but not the dokken trainer that I have. I will have to look for that video the next time I am at cabelas.

[HRK]

cabela's, macks prairie wings, gander mountain. any fairly large sporting goods store should have them in stock :wink:

[mdh2ofowler]

thanks man

[KShonker]

idk y but for some reason my dog will not retrieve those doken trainers either

[roonie76]

I'm having better luck with the doken trainers than I do with bumpers. Try getting the scent injector. That worked great for me. Kept him more focused especially for a 1 yr old. :D

[Tripp_kilntime_Carraway]

I got a new pup and I am using the Fowl Dawgs video. A little different, but it is working for me. It recomends 10-15 mins twice a day. Always end the training session on a good note. Try using treats or small pieces of hotdogs.

[iowagooser]

I agree start with the obidence it is the foundation for all your dog training. He will sit steady and return with no proble when this is established. Also if your dog isn't picking things up you need to Force Fecth him. It will teach him that when told he must pick it up. Some of the videos will help you just look for Force Fetching.

[Richie]

Its' very difficult to get an upland style dog to do waterfowl hunting. Not saying it cant be done but they are built to urn and search, where are labs are on command kind of dogs and thats why they do so well.

[hammer007911]

My dog will go after dead (live) birds but not the dokken trainer that I have. I will have to look for that video the next time I am at cabelas.

It is called force fetch.

Mike Lardy is the best IMHO on the topic.

Hammer

[Richie]

heres what i have been doing with my lab, got him at 3 1/2 years old and he was a city slicker so i basically have to start from scratch. I took a lucky dog retreiving dummy in black and white and tied a set of ducks wings to it. He had no problem retreiving the dummy itself but i wanted him to get the feel of the wings and kind of simulate a real bird. I used a pair of black duck wings and so far he seems to be doing just fine. I used the black and white dummy to most replicate birds as well.

[MallardMasher]

I got that video Fowl Dawgs 1. It has worked so far for me. I have a 2 year old black lab and he has done great using the techniques from that video. You could go to your local HRC and hang out there and learn some things.

Good luck on your training.