Gun dogs are valuable to hunters. A dog that can hold point on a quail or one that can tree a racoon is worth his weight in gold. Deciding which breed of dog to get will help you decide on how to train it. First, you need to know what you want from your dog. Do you want a dog to track, retrieve, flush or point? Are you going to hunt frequently or every now and then? After you've researched a breed and picked a puppy or dog, the training should begin.
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Socialization
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All dog need to be socialized first with their littermates and then with people. A dog learns how to be a dog by being able to stay with its litter for eight to 10 weeks. This also allows the puppy to be with its mother for its first set of vaccinations, tattooing and docking or dewclaw removal. This results in less trauma for the puppy. The time period for socialization and imprinting is between six and 12 weeks. Taking a puppy between eight to 10 weeks still gives you enough time to properly socialize the dog with people.
Obedience
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The most important thing that any gun dog needs to learn is obedience. The dog needs to come, sit, stay and whoa when its told. These commands take time and patience to learn. One command should be taught at a time. The training sessions also should be short and fun. After the basic commands are taught, you'll be able to teach the dog how to steady. Steadying is when a dog stays in one place and doesn't retrieve. It allows another dog or hunter to retrieve a dummy or bird as it sits and watches. It also teaches the dog that it has to remain sitting even after a gunshot blast, and until its master releases it. This also opens the door to teaching hand signals.
Methods
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Many hunters use whistles to train their dogs. The whistle is used to call, stop, direct and signal the dog. Whistles have many advantages. They can be heard over great distances. Once a dog learns signals using whistles, its easy for him to understand and saves the hunter's voice. Hand signals also can save a hunter's voice. Hand signals provide a visual signal that is easier to use and obey than verbal signals. It also makes the dog focus on the hunter and not on other things around him. Both methods require a great deal of teamwork between the dog and hunter.
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