The goal on training a puppy to hunt is to build positive experiences, helping the pup increase their self-confidence, while sidestepping bad habits. Obedience comes into play as well, but for most people it becomes a rewarding experience when you start training a puppy for hunting.
In looking at the overall picture, it is important to first state how crucial a puppy’s inherited traits are, how proper socialization comes into focus, and then decide which command should be developed first.
The breed of dog becomes the foundation for the training. This allows you to see how important selective breeding lends to the dog’s potential for accomplishment. What inherited traits make a good hunting dog?
Firstly, a nose with a discriminating sense of smell is needed. The dog needs to express an internal drive to keep working when the going gets hard. It should have a cooperative attitude that is ready to please. The dog’s body structure should exhibit strength and endurance. Its coat should be able to ward off the elements and provide an adequate cover while hunting. The dog should be mentally stable, with a balanced nature when facing ever-changing circumstances in a hunting situation. Lastly, the dog should have a natural pointing and retrieving instinct.
These factors become the foundation of a good hunting dog. Proper socialization becomes the tie that binds other factors in place as the training progresses. Other necessary components include exercise, health care and proper nutrition.
It is possible to work on several aspects of a dog’s development at a time. For example, a puppy can be exposed to the neighborhood as the same time as getting him accustomed to walking on a lead or training to heel. Another way is to let a puppy run and explore an open field while on a rope so that you can begin to establish a feeling of control.
During the first year, the puppy’s world should be expanded from the family room to the backyard, to the hunting and training fields. The puppy should begin to socialize with other dogs. He should be introduced to travel crates, boats, game birds, gun and gunfire.
If you attempted a training aspect on your puppy’s first day in the field, it would be difficult to do if he had never been exposed to any of it before. You couldn’t expect the dog to pay attention or be able to focus, trying to learn. This is because he would see too many exciting, unfamiliar, scary or distracting things that would take away his attention. That is why it is important to expose the dog to as many different situations as you can.
It will help you to create a plan for your puppy. Figure out where your puppy is in the learning process. Note what areas you have covered and what you haven’t, seeing what areas need to be built upon.
Write down notes after your training session is complete on what progress the puppy has made and what should happen in the next session. This will get you to think about each choice that is made as the pup continues to be socialized to all that exists in the hunting dog world, while weaving in some of the basic commands. Teaching them “No,” “Sit” and “Heel” will further support what you are trying to do with them in the future.
Crate Training
Experts say that training a dog with a crate is a key aspect in a puppy’s safety and training. This should begin the very first day that the puppy comes home. After the puppy feels comfortable in the crate, it is time to start taking him on short trips in the car. Take your puppy to a location where you can let him out to play. You don’t want the only trip he takes in the car to be going to the veterinarian. You want him to begin to become socialized with other dogs while also playing with other family members. Taking trips to the park as well as taking him to a basic obedience class will both be helpful to him.
Exploring
There is certain to be aspects in the outside world that will scare your puppy. However, it is important not to overlook getting him used to open cover areas with brush and timber, as you will hunt these areas together at some point. Let your puppy feel free to explore fields and shadow areas while chasing game birds. This activity helps to cultivate the dog’s predatory drive, giving the dog confidence while increasing his strength and endurance.
Be sure to introduce your dog to water areas. Even dogs who are being trained primarily for hunting upland will have to cross a creek from time to time. They may even have a chance to retrieve a pheasant from a mars. When you introduce your puppy to swimming through the water now, it will help you later on.
Birds
For your puppy’s first experience with birds, hunting experts recommend going to a quiet area and using a cold, dead pigeon. This means that the bird won’t flop around, scaring a shy puppy or isn’t too exciting for a pup with a stronger will. Try to keep the dog calm, in both cases. Allow the puppy to hold the bird, but be ready to stop them from shaking or biting down. This is to avoid hardmouth and game that has been mishandled.
Guns
No dog is born to be afraid of guns. It is possible for dogs with softer natures to be a bit shyer of guns than others, however. Nevertheless, most dogs can be trained to understand that the sound of a gun firing means there is a reward for them, which is down game for them to retrieve.