December 2021 • Nebraskaland 35
don't give in. Other than bathroom breaks, encourage them to
use the kennel as much as possible. Make it comfortable and
inviting, and after a few days, they'll look forward to being
inside it.
Puppies require exercise and rest, so make sure you take
time to play with them at least three times a day as they
adapt to their new home. Then spend time getting them out
to socialize with other dogs and people. The more of this
you can do, the better as they continue to adapt to their new
surroundings.
Early Training Tips
Training a refi ned hunting dog can take up to three years
or more, so patience is the key when starting your gun dog
the right way. Establishing boundaries early with your pup
is important as they explore and test the waters. Anxious
to try and see what they have in their pup, novice trainers
make the mistake of moving forward too quickly, skipping
the essentials of a solid and steady gun dog.
Initial training sessions should focus on the basic
commands of no, sit, stay and come. Also, allow your
young pup to drag a lead around with them so they become
comfortable with its weight and pressure. A leash-broke dog
allows you to restrain them when needed.
Attention spans are short in young dogs, so providing
a positive learning environment while not overdoing it is
important. Keep training sessions short and avoid creating
boredom. When the pup begins to show signs of disinterest,
start closing up the training session. Always end on a positive
note with plenty of play time at the end.
Also, puppies' memories are short, so don't stress if your
dog has a bad session or doesn't seem as interested on certain
days. The only thing that can ruin a pup at that age is when
a trainer consistently overdoes it, making sessions no longer
fun for the dog and owner. First-time pup owners can get
overzealous about showing off their pup; training young
dogs too long and too hard can dull their drive.
The goal is having a hunting partner for years to come.
N
If you have other hunters with you, don't carry a gun so you can focus on your young dog. DOUG STEINKE
