How to Train Labs To Hunt

InstructionsThings You’ll Need:A Labrador RetrieverA GunWading PoolBird DummiesBird ScentsHow to Train Labs to HuntStep 1:Select your puppy. Although adult Labs can be acquired, it is helpful to obtain your dog at a very young age so that it will develop a stronger bond and loyalty to you. Even more important in your selection is the background of the puppy. Puppies that are born from Labs that have been house pets for generations are less likely to develop hunting skills than a puppy who comes from stock that actively hunts.Step 2:Begin basic obedience training for your dog at an early age. Sit and heel are probably the single most important commands for your dog to learn. It is difficult to hunt when your dog is roaming the area. Your Lab should learn to sit in place until it is time to retrieve a bird. This will not only make your hunting easier, but will make it easier for your Lab to spot where the falling birds land.Step 3:Familiarize your puppy with water from an early age. As a puppy, teach your dog to play in a child’s wading pool, and reward that play time with a treat. Your Lab should learn to think of the water as a fun place to be and develop a natural desire to be in the water. What starts at a wading pool as a small puppy will continue on to have your Lab swimming in large rivers and lakes as an adult dog.Step 4:Train your Lab to not be gun shy. Since you will be using your Lab for hunting, it is important to get the dog use to guns being fired so that he will not be frightened when on a hunt. Simply take your Lab with you when you go target practicing, from the time that the Lab is still a puppy. The firing may be someone frightening to the animal at first, but it doesn’t take very long before the Lab becomes use to the sound and stops reacting to it.Step 5:Use dummies with bird scent for the type of fowl you normally hunt. You can use a launcher to toss the dummies, starting out with short distances, then farther. It may help to start in grassy areas where your Lab will need to use a larger degree of scent to home in on the dummies, and then move to water retrieval after your Lab can find and retrieve dummies on land.Step 6:Create simulated hunts with your dog during the off season. Using dummies during the off season, you can launch the dummies and then fire around of ammunition to signal your Lab to retrieve the dummy. Performing in situational training scenarios will hone your Lab’s hunting instincts and help him to perform like a seasoned pro when performing in an actual hunt. It is important to train as often as you can, particularly in the time leading up to your Lab’s first real hunt.Tips & WarningsDon’t be afraid of giving your dog plenty of treats to reward his performance. There is nothing a dog loves more than being shown appreciation for doing a good job, and if your Lab always gets a treat or a good rub down for retrieving its target, then it will strengthen the Lab’s desire to perform a good job while hunting.Photo/Video Crediteverything4pools, Flickr.com Creative Commons License