![]() ![]() Prepping for the Big LeagueĬompetitions require precision. Regular vet visits will ensure your dog remains in peak condition, ready for the field. Mix activities like fetching, swimming, and running for overall fitness. Exercise Regimesĭaily exercise keeps the dog in shape. ![]() Avoid table scraps and always keep fresh water available. High-protein, quality dog food ensures stamina and health. Introduce them slowly, rewarding bravery. The Fear Factor: Overcoming Phobiasīe it water or loud noises, address fears gradually. As they become more trained, gradually introduce them to distractions to improve focus. Minimize distractions during initial training phases. A professional might be needed for extreme cases. Over-aggression can be tempered with calm assertiveness. Start with dummies, then shift to actual game. Train your dog to retrieve to hand, ensuring it doesn’t damage the bird. ![]() Using a combination of whistle, voice, and hand signals, guide your dog to the desired direction. Handling and Directing in the Fieldĭogs should follow your lead. Use whistle commands and gentle corrections. Your dog needs to stay put when a bird takes flight but also needs to be alert. Train in woods, fields, and even marshes to ensure versatility. The Terrain Mattersĭogs need to navigate various terrains. This ensures controlled exposures before real field situations. Birds: The Real Dealīegin with dummies, then graduate to pen-raised birds. Gradually bring them closer to the real deal, always ensuring your dog associates the sound with positivity. It helps reinforce commands and behaviors, making them second nature. The Power of Repetitionĭogs learn by repetition. Regular sessions, even if short, are crucial. It’s not just about training it’s about training consistently. The three essentials? “Sit,” “Stay,” and “Come.” Use verbal cues and hand signals for best results. The Foundation of CommandsĬommands form the basics of any training. Always reward good behavior, be it with treats, praises, or belly rubs. Forests, lakes, fields - the more they experience, the more adaptable they become. Take your puppy to different environments. Introduce them to feathers, let them chase butterflies make them curious about the world. Training should ideally start when they’re young. ![]() While training can do a lot, understanding its lineage can give insights into its strengths and weaknesses. Just as in humans, a dog’s genetics play a huge role in its abilities. Know your dog’s lineage to optimize its training. Pointer, Setter, Retriever, Spaniel - each breed has its strengths and quirks. These are natural behaviors that don’t need to be taught, but they do need to be refined. Instincts and Innate AbilitiesĪll bird dogs come pre-programmed with certain instincts, like pointing or flushing. Nancy shares her life with her husband and two canine alumni of the NWSPCA, mixed-breed Otto (whose adorably fuzzy visage was incorporated into WDJ’s masthead some years ago) and Pit/Lab-mix Woody. As a regular volunteer for her local animal shelter, the Northwest SPCA in Oroville, CA, she fosters large litters of puppies and helps train wayward adolescent dogs in order to increase their chances of adoption. To stay on top of industry developments, she also attends pet industry trade shows such as Global Pet and SuperZoo, educational conferences of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and Pet Food Industry’s Pet Food Forum. The founding editor of Whole Dog Journal in 1998, Nancy regularly attends cutting-edge dog-training conferences including those for the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Pet Professional Guild, Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and Clicker Expo. Nancy Kerns has edited horse and dog magazines since graduating the San Francisco State University Journalism program in 1990. Special Needs Training: Training Dogs with Hand Signals How to Train Hearing Impaired Dogs Using Hand Signals and Simple Gestures Here are just a few of the many articles we’ve done on teaching hand signals for your cues: Again, thank goodness he knows that one, because it’s one of the few things I can do now to make his “concentrating” expression soften and his tail wag.ĭon’t wait until it’s too late to teach your dog hand signals – if for no other reason than as a hedge for his or her old age. He’s always a good boy, and I give him the “thumbs up” and a big smile many times a day. I’m so grateful that I taught him that alternative to ”Yes!” because, basically, in my eyes, he can’t do anything “wrong” anymore. I’ve long used a “thumbs up” gesture as an alternative to a click or “Yes!” to mark the moment he does a behavior I’ve cued or, to be honest, anything else that I like. He didn’t DO anything, he just gets treats for showing up when the other dogs are asked to do stuff. ![]()
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