Retriever Training for the Duck Hunter

Purpose

• A duck hunter uses a retriever to locate the game bird after the hunter has killed it. The retriever returns the game to the hunter. Training teaches the dog to remember the general location of where a bird falls and to use air scenting to home in on the duck's final position. The hunter saves time and energy by working with a well-trained retriever, especially when duck hunting over a large area.

Types

• The most popular breeds for duck hunting are the golden retriever and labrador retriever. Other retriever breeds include the Chesapeake Bay retriever, Nova Scotia duck-trolling retriever, curley-coated retriever and flat-coated retriever. These retrievers have been bred specifically for hunting waterfowl.

Traits

• Successful duck hunting retrievers have a strong desire to please, making them ideal training companions. Some essential traits, such as a soft mouth and love of water, are bred into the dog. A duck hunter cultivates additional traits in his retriever. He will acclimate his dog to gunshot noise, which is best taught at an early age. He also trains his retriever to move quietly through the hunting ground at a heel position. A duck hunter must enforce consistent recall, which is to have the dog return to the hunter on command. He will also nurture his dog's accuracy for air scenting and marking, which is when the dog visually recalls the location of a fallen bird and retrieves it from a distance.

Benefits

• For the duck hunter, the retriever is a valuable tool. Rather than traipsing through marsh and mud in search of a duck, the hunter sends an ecstatic retriever on the mission. The hunting dog also receives the benefits of physical exercise, companionship and mental exercise.

Methods

• Train a retriever for duck hunting with a combination of positive reinforcement and dog whispering. According to The Hunting Dog website, positive reinforcement rewards good behavior. It teaches the dog to repeat the good behavior on command. One example of positive reinforcement is to offer a treat when the dog obeys a heel command. Another example is to give the dog a few minutes playtime with her favorite toy when she successfully responds to a recall. The hunter does not berate or physically abuse the dog when using positive reinforcement techniques.

  The dog whispering method occurs when the hunter assumes the role of pack leader. The retriever dog instinctually becomes submissive to its pack leader and apt to follow direction. One example of the dog whisperer method is to feed your retriever after you have eaten, enforcing your position as pack leader. Dog whispering also entails maintaining a high confidence level around the dog, giving you an aura of control. For example, when you give your dog a command, you are expecting her to obey. When she does, use positve reinforcement.

Considerations

• Training your dog the essential commands for duck hunting isn't enough to keep your retriever at peak performance. Constant training reinforcement, as well as regular work in the field, is imperative to maintaining a duck retriever's skill level.