Hunting Dog Training 101: Field Introduction
It’s going to be hunting season soon, so now is the time to add a new hunting partner. Before you begin hunting dog training, you have to introduce you new partner to the new environment.
The first trip to the field is where the hunting dog training begins and there are things you need to watch out for and things you are going to need to do to make the first trip a successful trip.
A Few of the Basics
Be patient with your new puppy during the introduction phase of hunting dog training. At first your puppy will be scared of the new surrounding, but in time his genetics will soon overcome his fear.
When out in the field keep quiet. Don’t coax your new puppy to try and get him to investigate for scents or try to find birds because the only thing you’re going to accomplish is distracting him from doing what comes natural. Just walk around and let him do what he wants, he knows who feeds and takes care of him so he won’t run off.
Also, by telling him and showing him what to do you make him more dependent on you rather than his own natural instincts. By remaining quiet your puppy will develop confidence in his nose scenting abilities
On each visit enter the same field from the same direction each time until your puppy has become well developed in their field of confidence. After he builds confidence and learns his surroundings, you can enter the field from different directions.
A Word of Warning
The first several trips to the field, your puppy will most likely stick to you like you did to your mother at the grocery store until you figured out that no one was going to hurt you. Your puppy is the same way; he will follow your ever footstep as you lead the way.
Don’t let this bother you; be patient with your puppy, remember he is scared and the only security he knows is you. After a while, he will venture out further from his security blanket and start to discover new smells and new things.
If you are taking multiple dogs through hunting dog training, then it is suggested that you train them one at a time because it will be less of a distraction for you and the other dogs.