[CrusherT]

How much time do you guys spend training your dog? I'm working with a 4 1/2 month old yellow lab that I bought from a rescue group for $35 (possibly under the delusion that I will get her trained to hunt ). She's taken to Sit and Down and likes to chase the bumper I have, but lately I haven't had much time to work with her. Got a buddy who says 15 minutes a day every day and keep at it. Been reading Water Dog as a basis for training her. Took her out to the gun club last weekend and she did well. She only jumped if she was looking the other way when I shot. Not quite up to sitting next to me while I shoot more than a few shots, but we'll work up to that.

 

[stodgman]

The key is repetition, repetition, repetition.....

Why only 15 minutes? Dogs have a SHORT attention span, especially puppies. Now, if you can make it FUN then they will stay at it for a LONG time. Get creative!! When I train my dog I go for walks. We study HEEL and WHOA all along the streets. There is an open park in my neighborhood and I teach quartering, following my direction and WHOA (from a distance) there. I then walk through a field on the way home where my dog can run and sometimes comes across a pheasant or two.

This gives me an hour of time to work with my dog and he does not get bored. He LOVES to go for a walk!!

 

[Dalee100]

Hi,

Your buddy is right. About 15 min. sessons is long enough for a dog. Now before stodgman jumps on me . When he takes his dog for a walk or romp in the field, he's interspersing his training with fun time breaks, so his dog is happy. But actual training time is still maybe only 15min or less. This is an excellent way to train! Possibly the best way. And he's right always keep the training fun! If the dog thinks it's work, he will quit on you at least for that sesson. Maybe even for good. So fun is important! Now you can do several sessions a day if you want to. Just make sure to quit before the dog is bored with it.

And just as important to your dog and his success, be lavish with praise. Any dog loves a good hug! And last but not least, end your training session on a positive note! If the two of you have had a total meltdown of a session, at least give the dog a simple retrieve to praise him for.

Dale

 

[Guest]

I agree many frequent sessions is the key to training a good hunting dog. Always end a session with the dog wanting to keep going at it, not when it gets bored or tired. I reccomend several short sessions each day for puppies, then when they have the basics, you can drop it to several sessions a week if you have to. I put a lot of time in early on dogs to give the basics and it really pays off. My lab is 9 months and does everything. i have had her upland and waterfowl hunting. Today, she did not see a shoveler (sp) drop, but I sent her out on a 70 yard blind retrieve for it. I stopped her once with the whistle when she looked confused. She turned in the water and looked at me, then took the hand signal right out to it. Damn was that nice to see the work pay off.