5 Mistakes to Steer Clear of When Training Your Gun Dog

The best thing about the years that SportDOG® employees and our ProStaffers have spent training dogs is that we've stuffed up. We go on about the value of stuff-ups because you'll learn from them even more than your wins, but there's no reason you can't learn from our clangers, too. Here are 5 common blunders you'll want to avoid in your duck dog training:

1. Repeating Commands

We've all seen it happen, someone training their dog gives a command, “sit” for example, and the dog doesn't listen. Instead of immediately correcting this behaviour, the trainer says “sit” again, possibly louder and harsher. Even if the dog listens this time around, what it's learned is that listening the first time isn't a requirement. It's like telling a teenager to clean his room. If you don't get onto them the first time, they don't listen, they learn they really don't need to clean their room until Mum gets that tone. That's not a good scenario in parenting or dog training. Your dog needs to know every time a command is issued, it must be followed. This not only makes a better hunting experience, but it can save your dog's life.

2. Training in Consistent Environments

There's nothing wrong with setting aside a specific training area for your dog, but it's not good to set up the same conditions over and over. Like professional athletes must learn to compete in rain, snow, heat, and the unpredictability of a happy or agitated crowd, so must your dog. If your dog has only been trained in quiet, fair conditions, it increases the likelihood that he or she will get confused when things go differently in the field.

3. Getting Angry

Dogs can be a real headache. They can act like furry little teenagers, and sometimes it feels like they're just out to get on your nerves, but you've still gotta keep your cool. Losing your temper and yelling commands or chucking a wobbly won't help either of you. Your mood will just be a distraction. Your dog will end up confused. It's a no-win situation. If you're having one of those days when you can't get through a training session without wanting to flog your pooch to the Amish, just take a breather. Put him aside and have another go when you're feeling better.

4. Not Adapting to the Dog

No two dogs are the same. Like kids, they all learn differently, have different strengths, and have that free-will thing that can leave you grinding your teeth in frustration. What worked a treat on the last dog might not get through to your current dog, and that’s alright. What’s not alright is to keep trying to force the same techniques. You’re only going to frustrate yourself and your dog. Try making minor adjustments to play to each dog’s strengths.

5. Thinking Your Job is Done

You've done it! Your dog's been successful in the field, and seems to listen 100% of the time. You officially have a trained dog. You're done here, right? Nah, mate. Like life, training's a never-ending journey. Even the most well-trained dog will stuff up and it's your job to be there to help them learn from it. Your dog still needs to be out with you working on training, continually getting better, and having a ripper time doing it.