Dog training for ducks

[Wetwoodshunter]

Anyone have any leads for a good dog training book or YouTube series for a duck dog? My lab is 9 months old now and now I’m going to start transitioning training to more dedicated hunting training. I’m not sure if I will hunt him in the opener unless I have a few other people to shoot and I just handle my dog.

He recalls, sits, kennels, lays, lines up on left, holds fetch until released and heals.

@rainshadow1 he was one of yours

[ducks4days]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,257430.0.html

[mboyle0828]

Good looking pup!

[highside74]

This is the book I used and it was great. I highly recommend it.

https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Dokkens-Retriever-Training-Developing/dp/089689858X/ref=asc_df_089689858X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693370352765&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8799289467147734793&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9051901&hvtargid=pla-433818516936&psc=1&mcid=91ed256f0fed35fda24731ffd184695e

[JBG]

Smartworks by Graham

Bill Hillman

Freddie King has a bunch of youtube stuff

"The 10 minute Retriever" 

[pianoman9701]

I helped a friend train his dog. He used this video and the book...and worked with the dog everyday for hours. https://www.sportingdogpro.com/hunting-dog-training-supplies/books-and-dvds/water-dog-training-dvd-video

[Feathernfurr]

I’d be interested in hearing people’s opinions on this. I’ve hunted ducks over a lot of dogs. To this day the two best dogs I’ve ever hunted over was a Walmart parking lot lab, and my GSP. Both of which were really just trained on fetch. They were die hard for retrieving, and that’s the only real training they got. I’ve hunted over a lot of “finished” dogs, and junior and master hunt field trial dogs, pups sent away to year long training schools. None of those dogs ever seemed to retrieve well, lost a lot of birds, and generally spent a lot of time watching them trying to do all sorts of hand signals and whistles to no avail.

Totally aware that these could be the exceptions to the rule, I’d be interested in others experience. In recent years I’ve been in the camp that a strong bond between handler and pup, and quality time on fetch/fun with basic obedience feels like it’s more worth while than some 12 step highly structured program. Opinions?

[JBG]

I’d be interested in hearing people’s opinions on this. I’ve hunted ducks over a lot of dogs. To this day the two best dogs I’ve ever hunted over was a Walmart parking lot lab, and my GSP. Both of which were really just trained on fetch. They were die hard for retrieving, and that’s the only real training they got. I’ve hunted over a lot of “finished” dogs, and junior and master hunt field trial dogs, pups sent away to year long training schools. None of those dogs ever seemed to retrieve well, lost a lot of birds, and generally spent a lot of time watching them trying to do all sorts of hand signals and whistles to no avail.

Totally aware that these could be the exceptions to the rule, I’d be interested in others experience. In recent years I’ve been in the camp that a strong bond between handler and pup, and quality time on fetch/fun with basic obedience feels like it’s more worth while than some 12 step highly structured program. Opinions?

Great that you had that fortunate experience but its definitely the exception to the rule.  The benefit of following a program is that it gives the trainer reference points to follow up on if things go haywire.  As you point out sometimes people with dogs and money send it off for a month then never do follow up training or just dont kill enough birds to keep the dog in consistent hunting form. 

This next statement is not meant at you Feathernfurr but IMO generally one does not own a good hunting dog unless that dog is quite and is steady to shot meaning it doesn't leave the blind until you release it to do so.  My own dog fails to live up to this basic standard so the struggle is real LOL

[GASoline71]

Back when I hunted ducks (late 80's to around 2000) I got a Chocolate Lab pup and a buddy gave me 3 books by Richard A. Wolters, Gun Dog, Game Dog, and Water Dog.  Those 3 books are probably antiquated techniques by now, but my dog was an excellent retriever and also a great grouse and pheasant dog. He was whistle trained, had a soft mouth, great family dog, and had an awesome water entry.

Gary

[Wetwoodshunter]

Sometimes on this site you all impress me with the help and level of detail you provide. Well done, you all gave me resources to exactly what I was looking for.

[goosegunner]

   100% sign up for Freddy Kings retriever trainer program its $65 but the amount of information and up to date videos is unbeatable. plus, if you do face book he is on there and if you message him, he will get back to you in a very timely manner and help with any questions and issues you may have with your pup.

You tube is loaded with good stuff as well. like mentioned above Bill Hillman, Chris Jobman of flatlander kennels all have you tube stuff

The books and old training videos are good but all of them are pretty old and kind of vague plus if you don't comprehend everything there saying your left confused and wondering what to do. plus, a lot of the old videos out there they use already trained dogs or dogs that have done that particular lesson a time or 2 so it looks easy. whereas Freddy's program is a day-by-day videos so as he says you see the good the bad and the ugly to see how he handles each dog in those situations.

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

There are lots of good programs out there, many good trainers have been mentioned in this thread, just find what works best for you.  I think Mike Lardy's Total Retriever Training Program is hard to beat, but there are plenty of other good options.  https://www.ybsmediastreaming.com/course/total-retriever-training

[Markhoran]

I'm new to the AKC hunt test game and have 3 master passes and many failed passes. But the amateur's that I talk with all seem to know the common techniques used in   "Total Retriever Training - 2nd Edition" by Mike Lardy.  I agree with the post by Gooseguner that this program is hard to beat.   When I actually hunt - having the dog under control and wanting to retrieve is pretty much all you need.  I would try to get a dead duck as soon as possible and see if your puppy will hold in his/her mouth like a bumper.  If not - just make it exciting to retrieve the duck in your yard.  Has your dog been around a shot gun being fired? Just don't want to ruin the puppy by first shots heard are in the blind.  If no, you want to do any exciting type of fetching preferable with birds, but if not with bumpers so the puppy knows that the sound of shot gun means fun and excitement.   One of my dogs hates to hear 22LR and 9mm, but loves the sound of a shot gun.   Pretty soon you will be hunting to mainly see your puppy make the retrieve.

My 2 cents.

Good luck,
Mark

[Wetwoodshunter]

I'm new to the AKC hunt test game and have 3 master passes and many failed passes. But the amateur's that I talk with all seem to know the common techniques used in   "Total Retriever Training - 2nd Edition" by Mike Lardy.  I agree with the post by Gooseguner that this program is hard to beat.   When I actually hunt - having the dog under control and wanting to retrieve is pretty much all you need.  I would try to get a dead duck as soon as possible and see if your puppy will hold in his/her mouth like a bumper.  If not - just make it exciting to retrieve the duck in your yard.  Has your dog been around a shot gun being fired? Just don't want to ruin the puppy by first shots heard are in the blind.  If no, you want to do any exciting type of fetching preferable with birds, but if not with bumpers so the puppy knows that the sound of shot gun means fun and excitement.   One of my dogs hates to hear 22LR and 9mm, but loves the sound of a shot gun.   Pretty soon you will be hunting to mainly see your puppy make the retrieve.

My 2 cents.

Good luck,
Mark

Thanks, I will look up the total retriever training. I also have GunDog sitting in a shelf now from a friend.

As far as gun training I can have him sit at my heal and shoot. He is more interested in wanting to look as the spent casings and hopefully chew on one than the gunshots. He doesn’t break to go get them though…. Usually.

I haven’t started any hold conditioning and when we play fetch I make him deliver to hand, sit and wait. I may need to get some other bumpers, the ones I have  my dog doesn’t like and he retrieves them by the rope.

[Wetwoodshunter]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,257430.0.html

I read through this twice a few days apart and ordered a lot more bumpers, the kind with streamers too and some duck scent. I had no idea waterfowl scent was a thing for training. I’m hoping that may get him fired up on bumpers.

Based on what I read I think I am behind for him being 9 months. I never incorporated whistles to his obedience was my biggest shortcoming. I also think filling the house with really fun squeaker toys may have deterred the love for bumpers. I think I need to put the other toys away and do fun bumpers for a few weeks.