By Alden & Jennifer Little

Preparing for the upcoming dove season means more than dusting off the gun and unpacking all of your camo. For the retriever enthusiast, it means careful planning and tune-up training for your dog. In this article, we’ll cover some of the essentials for making this season one of your best.

If you are starting fresh with a young or inexperienced dog, the first thing you must have is a solid foundation in obedience. All of the other vital phases like steadiness, marking the fall, force fetch, and delivery to hand must follow after the basic obedience commands HERE, HEEL, SIT, and STAY are learned. Without the basics, you will have an out of control dog in the field. The dog must become accustomed to gun fire by introducing it from the field and gradually bringing it in closer as their confidence grows.

Shooting directly over a young dog too soon can cause a dog to become gun shy and can be almost impossible to correct. Although most training is done with bumpers and dummies, birds must be introduced so the dog will know more of what to really expect on the hunting field. We suggest using pigeons for this training because of their availability and because the feathers do not tend to come out as easily as dove. A mouth full of feathers to a young dog could be enough to turn him off of birds altogether.

Many people try to skip certain phases of training and get by with the easier stuff. Force Fetch is absolutely the hardest and the most important step in all of retriever training. Up to this point in your dog’s training, he has been retrieving for the sheer fun of it. This step will teach him that retrieving is a command and not just a game to play when and if he wants. Without it, you may end up doing most of the retrieving yourself which defeats the purpose of taking the dog. And if not done correctly to suit your dog’s individual temperament and level of drive and desire, irreversible damage can be done. For those who start training on their own, it is usually at this stage when they decide to consult a professional.

Furthermore, you can never do enough marks in training. Throwing from your side is fine at first, but you should extend the marks to be more realistic by using some kind of electronic device or other people in the field. This practice will encourage the dog to look out into the field for falls instead of always expecting the bird to come from you. Throughout any training, remember that it is imperative to make it fun and always end on a positive note.

There are many different ways and techniques to introduce hunting situations to the dog. But regardless of your training practices, there are so many variables in true hunting, you cannot possibly expect a young dog to truly be prepared for a typical opening day. We don’t recommend taking a “new hunter” on the first couple of weeks of dove season when the weather is hot and the field is full of shooters. That kind of situation can cause terrible confusion and even danger for the dog. In some cases, you can actually undo certain elements of training. If you are going to go out with a first time retriever, try to arrange a more private and calm atmosphere.

Your first outing together should be pleasant and provide a positive and effective learning experience.
Naturally, the preparation for your seasoned hunting dogs will be less difficult, but no less important. To make things easier for your tune-ups, the dog is probably looking forward to the season as much as you are. To begin, review the simple things like obedience and line manners. Being able to keep your dog under complete control in the midst of gunfire is essential for his safety. This can be accomplished without much fanfare in your own backyard. Get out the dove stool and go through the HEEL, HERE, and SIT commands a few times and try not to worry about what your neighbors think. And if it’s been a while since the last road trip, load the kennel and take your dog for a ride or two.

Once you’ve got his attention and level of desire is elevated, you’ll need to venture off and simulate some hunting situations. If you’ve got access to some training birds for retrieving practice, or marking, that’s great. If not, substitute with bumpers and training dummies. Start with short simple retrieves depending on your dog’s level of hunting expertise. Plan for several training outings to increase his stamina and drive. The time spent preparing will be very beneficial for both of you.

More people every year join the sport and realize that a well-trained retriever is the best conservation tool that we can have. Kids really show an interest in field sports when they have the company of a good dog and can actually join in on the handling and training. The excitement and team work they can share is much more stimulating and enjoyable than any video game or television show. Try to plan for a few family hunts, even if it means not getting that limit, to ensure the next generation of hunters. With proper care of the environment, conservation and your support of the various protection agencies, as well as the use of a specialized retriever, we can all continue to enjoy the sport more many more generations.

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the State and Federal Hunting Regulations and always obey all hunting laws and restrictions. Cutting corners on the rules will get you nowhere except in court. Proper gun safety should always be practiced to ensure the safety and well-being of yourself, your dog, and fellow hunters sharing your field.

If you have any questions or would like any information on our training programs or tune-up specials, please call Alden or Jennifer at the home office (334) 366-4732, kennel office (205) 755-6508, or visit us on the web at www.trulineretrievers.net. We look forward to hearing from you. Best of luck this season!!