How to Train Your Lab to Be a Bird Dog

Labrador retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States. As their name implies, retrievers can be trained to be excellent hunting dogs. Raising a lab to be a competent bird dog takes more than simply bringing it along for a hunt and letting its natural instincts take over. The training required is a rewarding process and can usually be completed without professional help.

Things You'll Need

  • Gun
  • Body of water or wading pool
  • Bird dummies
  • Artificial bird scent

Instructions

    • 1

      Train your dog young. The older a dog is before being introduced to being a good hunting dog--traits such as a willingness to swim and being comfortable around guns--the more difficult it will be to turn them into an effective hunting dog.

    • 2

      Teach your dog basic obedience. Several of the tricks taught in basic obedience--sitting, heeling and fetching--will prove useful when teaching your dog to hunt. More importantly, a general understanding of the owner-pet relationship is essential. To be a successful hunter, the dog must know its owner is in charge.

    • 3

      Take your dog with you to a firing range. A dog is naturally spooked by a gun at first, as the loud noise is foreign to them. By making the sound something with which the dog is familiar, you can prevent him from panicking during a hunt.

    • 4

      Teach your dog to swim. A bird dog that is afraid of the water is not a bird dog. It is important your dog be able to scare birds into the air and retrieve birds that land in the water.

    • 5

      Spray a toy with bird scents. This way you can teach your dog to fetch the toy without chewing on it. Dogs will naturally chase thrown toys. But to teach a dog to drop retrieved items at your feet, practice removing the toy physically while giving a release word and immediately rewarding with a treat. Do this for several minutes every day. Progress to bird dummies when your dog has learned to retrieve properly.

    • 6

      Combine retrieving and shooting. Fire your gun while launching a dummy. This will get the dog used to hearing the gun, then scanning for a falling bird.