Waterfowl Hunting Retriever Training

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There are many key ingredients in building a solid Waterfowl Hunting Retriever. Premier Gundogs Hunting
Retriever Training advances your dog through what we call "Formal Training" with time tested,
fundamentally sound, training techniques. Formal Training is the next step after our Foundation Training
Program.

Most all Retrievers are taught the conditioned retrieve with solid commands of "Fetch, Hold & Out". Also,
during this stage of training, Collar Conditioning is applied to all the taught obedience commands. We call
this Started Level training. These techniques are then applied to single mark retrieves in a "mock"
waterfowl hunt on both land and water. Our goal is a very realistic setup for the simulated duck hunts. This
process general takes around 3-4 months and you will have a nice Started Retriever when done that is able
to pick up ducks and geese at nice distances that the dog sees fall. Your dog will be accustomed to; lots of
calling, watching for incoming ducks, taught marking off the gun, be steadied up while shooting and able to
maneuver thru decoys during the retrieve.

Advanced Level training is where we build the finished waterfowl dog. Most waterfowl hunters need a dog
that can run blind retrieves, so the dog can pick up birds which it has not seen fall. There is nothing more
frustrating then watching cripples swim away into the marsh. Once completed your dog will be able to pick
up birds anywhere at great distances. Dogs also now advance to hunting from duck boats, ground force
blinds and stands. Multiple marks with doubles and triples are common during this stage of training.

Here is a 10 month old, that has just finished the
beginning stages of our Started Level Training, now
learning several skills by incorporating the “PLACE”
board. The youngster is taught to "Watch", taught
patience while calling, marking off the gun, steady to
shot and then the retrieve.

The key to success in these beginning
stages of our Waterfowl training is to
advance the dog with attrition and
realism of setup. Notice the youngster
carrying a dead duck and returning back
through the decoys

A nice calm delivery. Notice she is watching
for an anticipated next bird.

We can now advance to a "mock" layout
blind setting. Notice she is steady and
calm while calling.

She remains quiet and
steady as I fire multiple shots
with the cap gun.

Once we have established a solid pattern of work on the ground, the transition to water is easy. During this phase the young retriever really
starts to turn into a "Waterfowl Dog". We set up true "life like" duck hunting scenarios with the focus now on continual patience while
calling/ shooting & maneuvering thru the decoys, hunting from an Avery Dog Stand, Avery Ground Force Blind & a Duck Boat. The "Place"
command now is used in a real setting. We also continue to teach the youngster how to mark on the gun with lots of primer loads fired, as
well as, shooting the first "Flyers" to the retriever. After the "out" command is given " shake" is what we say and shake is what they do.
(Later in life most will shake on command)

Started Level Training on Land

Started Level Training on Water

Dale and Kris Taylor
3400 W Pella Road
Hallam, NE 402-405-5144
402-405-5144
premiergundogs@gmail.com