Valentine One: Gun Dog Training

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Gun Dog Training

Retriever Work Retrievers are used to find and retrieve game that has been shot particularly when waterfowl hunting. In order to work as a gun dog, a retriever should be trained to perform the following tasks and behaviors:

Remain under Control Retrievers used as gun-dogs are trained to remain under control sitting calmly and quietly until sent to retrieve.

Mark downed game Marking is the process of watching for a falling bird or multiple birds. When the command "mark" is given the dog should look up for incoming birds and remember where each bird falls.

Perform a Blind Retrieve A blind retrieve is sending a dog after a bird he has not seen fall. The handler sends the dog out to retrieve the bird, guiding the dog with the use of a whistle and hand signals.

Delivery*Once the dog has completed the retrieve it should gently but firmly hold the bird until commanded to release it to the handler’s hand.