Labrador Retrievers are among a type of dog known as gun dogs, or bird dogs, because of their ability to retrieve marks (downed birds) on hunting expeditions. A Labrador on a duck hunt is expected to sit quietly until he is cued to retrieve. A successful hunting dog will retrieve marks even while additional targets are downed during a retrieve. For this reason, a successfully trained Lab on a duck hunt will display exceptional discipline and self control.
Instructions
1. Select your Labrador puppy. Serious hunters prefer Labradors with field championships and master hunter titles in their ancestry over other purebred Labs. Puppies with ancestors that were hunters are more likely to have the skills, stamina and instincts necessary for hunting.
In addition, the Lab should be attentive and of amiable disposition. If you're uncertain about the Lab's disposition, examine the Lab's mother and inquire about the father. They should be accomplished hunters and in good health.
2. Begin basic obedience training immediately and continue it until you're certain your dog will respond to direct commands without hesitation. Your puppy must be taught to respond to her name. She must also learn to sit, heel, stay and come. These basics are so important that you may consider enrolling your puppy in an obedience class or pay for a personal trainer. Practice the basics often, inside and outside of class. Always remember to praise your puppy for his good work. Each practice session should be a bonding experience between you and your puppy.
3. Begin to familiarize your puppy with the natural environment where the duck hunts will take place. It is especially important that your puppy learn to love water. Begin with wading pools in the backyard, and eventually move up to walks through woods and marshes. When your puppy is old enough and large enough, have your puppy practice jumping in and out of your boat. When you're confident in your puppy's obedience, take her off the leash and practice heeling as you wander through the woods. Always have your puppy walk on the side opposite where you hold your gun.
4. With scented training dummies (duck-shaped dummies are available in sporting goods and hunting stores), practice retrieves. Have your puppy heel at your side while a partner throws the dummy. It's important that your puppy learn to retrieve the dummy only after your cue. Start easy and gradually work toward retrieves that are farther and more difficult to locate.
Eventually practice water retrieves. When your puppy retrieves the training dummy properly, praise him. Never practice retrieves by throwing sticks for your puppy because you don't want her to bring you sticks when you're on a hunt. Practice often but not for long periods of time. This leaves your puppy wanting to do it again and again.
5. Desensitize your puppy to the sound of your shotgun. Take him with you when you're target practicing, or tie him up and then begin shooting away from your puppy into the air. Gradually move the gun until you're shooting over your puppy's head. The sound of a shotgun will at first upset your puppy, but he'll get used to it. He shouldn't flinch or move at the sound of a gun.
6. When your Lab has advanced through all other training, take her on simulated hunting trips. While out in a boat where you'll duck hunt, shoot the gun, launch a dummy and have your dog retrieve it.
If you hunt with a duck blind, you may find during the simulation that your Lab is inclined to retrieve before you've given the command. Try tying a lasso around the puppy's waist. When the puppy runs for the mark, the slipknot will tighten around his waist and hold him in place.
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