“Tag: dog training”

We’ve all seen the guy who throws out vocal commands to his dog like they are burning a hole in his vest pocket. Don’t be that guy.

Don’t let hunting season become your dog’s “backsliding season.” Remain alert for opportunities to reinforce good performance, and be sure to avoid reinforcing the bad. Here’s how to focus on the right moments after the shooting starts.

We’ve all been there. Opening day. The sun is shining, birds are calling and our over-eager dogs are racing through the cover, thicket to thicket, horizon to horizon, sucking air, searching for scent. They point. They flush. They fetch. They collapse. It’s not even noon and they act as if they’re on their last legs because—they are.

At the risk of being called a New Age charlatan, Ron Spomer recommends you give your hunting dog massage therapy.

Pheasants Forever asked: "With students heading back to the classroom this week, we’re wondering what’s your bird dog’s best subject?" That got Kyle Wintersteen pondering the ways that dog training parallels grade-school subjects. Here's what he came up with.

Taking the jitters out of your hunting dog might be easier said than done. If you think you’ve exhausted all your options, why not try the “medicinal” solution.

Poor training or breeding can leave any dog with a bad case of hard-mouth, but with a bit of work it can be corrected.

At some point we all face a recalcitrant dog that just won’t do what it is commanded to do. At these times it’s critical to distinguish mistakes from willful disobedience.

Your retriever can be a welcome addition in the duck blind—or a complete nuisance. Here are some professional tips to improve your dog’s manners.