How to Train a Dog to Duck Hunt

By Leslie Culpepper

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

1 puppy (bred specifically for hunting water fowl) Dog treats Wading pool 1 hunting boat Collar Leash 6 to 7 decoys Training dummy 1 duck call Shotgun

Step 1:
It may seem obvious, but begin by carefully choosing your new hunting dog. Choosing a puppy over an adult will allow you to personally condition the dog to your specific style and situation. Keep in mind that different breeds are best suited for different purposes. Select a breed of dog bred for duck hunting. Typical breeds include spaniels, retrievers and pointers.
Step 2:
Your puppy should clearly understand the "sit" and "stay" commands before all other training. These two commands represent the foundation for all other training. Teach the puppy to sit by repeating the word "sit" again and again, while simultaneously pushing the puppy's back halfway down to a sitting position. When the puppy sits, say "good job." Give the puppy a treat.
Teach the puppy to stay by first having him sit. Once she is sitting, tell the the puppy to "stay," and delay the praise or reward for 1 or 2 seconds. When the puppy stays in one place, say "good." Give the puppy a treat. Make the delays after the word "stay" take longer and longer with each try, until the puppy will stay for 5 seconds or more.
Step 3:
Introduce the puppy to water. Start with a wading pool in your backyard. Make these experiences positive and rewarding for the puppy by praising him and showing the puppy that water is fun. Play with your puppy in the water. Gradually introduce the puppy to different bodies of water.
Step 4:
Adjust the puppy to your boat. Have your puppy jump in and out of the boat. Teach the puppy to sit and stay inside the boat. Take the puppy for rides in the boat until he is comfortable and relaxed.
Step 5:
Teach your puppy to ignore the decoys. Set up the decoys in your yard, then lead the puppy through the decoys. Make it clear that the decoys are not to be touched. Discourage your puppy's interaction with the decoys by using a firm voice when she shows an interest in the decoys. Practice walking through the decoys until the puppy completely ignores them.
Step 6:
Take your puppy to the pond where you'll be hunting. Set up the decoys in the water, then throw the training dummy into the water for retrieval. Practice this again and again. Reward your puppy with treats and praises for retrieving the training dummy from the water.
Step 7:
Adjust the puppy to the sound of a shotgun. Start by shooting away from the puppy, and gradually move the shotgun until it fires directly over the puppy. Blow the duck call, fire the gun, then throw the dummy for a retrieve. The puppy should remain perfectly still until it is time to retrieve the duck.

Tips & Warnings

Start training your puppy for hunting between 7 and 8 weeks of age.All steps (except for Step 1) should be repeated as necessary. Animal training requires patience and a great deal of repetition.If using a duck blind, you may need to tie a slipknot to the dog's collar during the first hunting experiences, and even place the puppy in a box to keep the dog in one place until the target has been hit. Then, the slipknot can be released and the command to retrieve may be given.
Never discipline your animal by hitting or causing physical pain.

Resources

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