Preparing for a New Hunting Companion
If you decide that the time is right, do not wait until right before hunting season to buy and train a puppy. It is important to not only begin training your puppy, but also to bond with them and socialize them. You can start potty training, socializing and building endurance in them now. It is also crucial not to have unrealistic goals for your dog. Take your time and consistently train your pup. I like to use the crawl, walk, run methodology. Babies do not stand up the first few days of life. They gradually start pulling up, then they take a baby step or two. The same is true for your new hunting companion. You must let them progress at his or her own rate. Get the potty training mastered as you are socializing and starting to build a relationship. Only throw a few retrieves a day, and always leave them wanting more. Try to end on a good note. Take your pup with you everywhere you can to get them used to different environments. This builds confidence and puts them at ease in different situations.
At about 5 months of age your puppy’s brain will be developed enough to start more formal training. It is appropriate at this time to start making them wait longer, retrieving more (not to burn out), and expecting more from them as a whole. There are many great programs out there to follow. Remember that consistency is key. They will mess up (and so will you) but be patient and work your way through the process. It will be worth the time and effort. Watch and study your dog! They will let you know when to expect more and when to back off. Get ready to have a more successful duck season than your last!
About the Author : Kevin Erdmier
Visit authors website | View more articlesKevin owns Southern Pine Kennel in Blackshear, GA, where he offers a full range of dog training services. They have indoor and outdoor kennels facilities and are state licensed. He is a certified dog trainer and fully insured. Kevin is an avid hunter, mostly wing shooting dove, duck, geese, quail, and turkey. He typically hunts in Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, and Missouri. In 2016, he opened Southern Pine Kennel after training his own dogs for years. His program is designed for hunters that want to bring a well-mannered and trained dog into the field.
In 2017, he retired from U.S. Homeland Security after 26 years of Law Enforcement. His last duty was to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center as a Firearms Instructor. For the last 10 years he has trained Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement in handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Students were taught proper safety, weapons handling, nomenclature, proper maintenance, and proper marksmanship. He continues to teach firearms to individuals in his community and contractually for Homeland Security
He is currently a Pro Staff member for Retay Shotguns. He is also with Heybo, Dakota Kennels and National Pro Staff. You can find him regularly posting about his dogs on Instagram and Facebook as @southern_pine_kennel.
About the Artist : Leah Brigham
Visit artist websiteAfter graduating from Millersville University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelors of Science in Art Education, Leah began teaching Art to inner city Middle School students in Houston and later Dallas, TX. Leah has shared with her students her passion for art and nature. This passion has sustained her and continued throughout her life in the form of painting and drawing.
Leah was introduced to American Field Horseback Field Trails and has been able to experience the excitement of seeing her own dog, competing for the National Championship at Ames Plantation in Grand Junction, TN ...standing on point, head and tail held high. This has inspired her to create works of art depicting dogs and the wildlife associated with the sport and hunting.
Related Aritlces
The Bond
Josh Billings once said, “A dog is the only being on Earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” This is something that has proven to be true time and time again. There is an undeniable bond between owner and canine.
Puppy or Older dog
So `Goose` is getting older and you are thinking about a new puppy. Or maybe you lost your pet and are starting to look for another one. Remember first of all there is only one `Goose`. Nothing or nobody can replace him. He was the one we have all had or want to have. He may not have been a Field Trial Champion but to us he was better. Goose just fits our family. Do we get a puppy or an older pup out of the puppy stage? Each family must make a decision of what works best for them. I am going to give you the pros and cons for young puppies verses older puppies for sporting dogs. Of course, many decisions must be made like, breed, pedigree, what or how will I use Goose Jr? Will I hunt test, field trial, or just hunt?
