Bird Dog Training

Dog Training Commands A good command to teach first is to "Come". Next you can teach them to "Heel".

People are amazed at watching a well trained bird dog in action. We are often in awe at how well and quickly they obey their owner’s commands. When you see them perform you may begin to ask yourself, how did they do that? Perhaps bird dog training can bring out the best in you dog.

Training them to be a bird dog will bring out the best in your dog if you are willing to work consistently with them.

There are some breeds that have a natural lineage, giving them the ability to becoming a good bird dog. Training them in obeying commands could be a good starting ground. Dog training professionals acknowledge the fact that dogs need to understand what command is being used in order to make them respond. For this basic voice command training, there are basic words a owner should use to train the dog.

First is for them to learn the "Stay" command.

Teaching your dog to respond to your ’Stay’ command, is very important for them to learn early during training.

As the dog follows these commands completely, it is a clear picture on how obedient and respectful he is to his master. Dogs will express obedience to their master by doing whatever they are commanded to do, even if their master walks a great distance before giving the command.

The ’Whoa’ or ’Easy’ command is useful for dogs that are going too far ahead, when the dog is flushing the bird and the owner wants him to stop, or when the dog wants to play with the bird. Once they obey your command it would be good to go to him and praise or reward them for a doing a good job.

Commanding them to ’Come’

This command simply suggests that the dog should approach you as commanded. This command is one of the easiest to use. A good reason to teach them to come, would be that when retrieving something, they bring it back to you when instructed to do so. Some dogs can be stubborn and may want to play or even begin to go off in another direction. Teaching your dog to ’Come’ will help keep him within the range you need, for them to obey any additional commands.

The ’Heel ’Command

Teaching your dog to respond to the Heel command, is used when wanting them to walk by your side.

It is normally matched with another one-word command such as "okay", or "go" to signal his release. By using this command your dog will know they did a good job during the hunt and you are pleased with them.

Whenever the dog performs well, never fail to give him a tap, a treat or a word of praise to acknowledge his performance. Dogs are born with the desire to make their owners happy. When you begin to reward your dog in this way, let him know he is behaving correctly and that you want him to continue that type of behavior. Overtime, he will learn to repeat the same desirable actions as long as you allow him to do so.

Bird dog training takes dedication and persistence. It is because of this, there are few well trained bird dogs today. Always be confident that your dog can become a fine hunter if you do what it takes to make him successful, by showing him patience in teaching him to obey basic commands.