| Aside from being wonderful companions, us | | | | attention, and then proceed to throw the decoy |
| Labradors also make excellent hunting dogs. When | | | | into the water (but still within sight). When your |
| our breed was founded in Newfoundland, it was | | | | dog returns the decoy to you (which they should, |
| our special hunting characteristics that began to | | | | if you have successfully trained them to retrieve |
| make Labradors so popular with hunters and | | | | the decoy on land), be sure to give them a lot of |
| fishermen alike. These traits that made us so | | | | praise! Reinforcing this as "good" behavior is a |
| effective for hunting were pursued by early | | | | very important step toward a successful hunting |
| Labrador Retriever breeders, and continue to be | | | | training for your Labrador. Try throwing the |
| desirable breed traits with today's Labrador | | | | decoy farther out in the water, so that your dog |
| breeders. Us Labradors can make excellent | | | | has to swim a short distance to retrieve it. If |
| hunting dogs, though it is recommended to give | | | | they can accomplish this, give them a treat! |
| us a bit of training before taking us hunting. | | | | These training steps may have to be repeated |
| STEP 1 | | | | many times, before your dog has a 100% |
| Though this probably won't be difficult, the first | | | | retrieval ratio and always brings back the decoy |
| thing to do when training your Labrador for use | | | | unharmed. Some dogs may learn faster than |
| as a hunting dog is to get your dog used to the | | | | others, especially dogs that have been specifically |
| water! Most of us Labradors love anything having | | | | bred to highlight hunting traits. Certain Labrador |
| to do with the water, and won't require much | | | | Retriever breeders specialize in hunting dogs, and |
| encouragement to swim and thoroughly soak | | | | are highly skilled in producing the ideal Labradors |
| everything in sight. However, there are still some | | | | for use in waterfowl hunting. |
| dogs that are a bit hesitant when encountering | | | | Hunting with your dog can also be a great bonding |
| water for the first time. The best method is to | | | | experience, since we love any opportunity to |
| have your dog approach the water slowly, giving | | | | spend time with you! Us Labradors are very loyal, |
| them time to sniff at it and realize what it is. If | | | | and will do our best to fulfill your needs for an |
| necessary, you can go into the water yourself, | | | | effective hunting dog. The best training program, |
| which will help show your dog that they don't | | | | with the highest success rate, is a training |
| have to be afraid of the water. | | | | program that is implemented while we are still |
| Try throwing a toy a short distance into the | | | | puppies. Early learning development raises the |
| water (floating toys work best for this!). If your | | | | chances that we'll be able to easily adapt to |
| dog immediately goes into the water to retrieve | | | | training techniques. Don't forget to use positive |
| the toy, be sure to give them a treat and praise. | | | | reinforcement! Us Labradors only want to please |
| STEP 2 | | | | you, and will excel at a training program that |
| After this, you need to get your Labrador | | | | produces rewards from you. |
| Retriever familiar with the scent of waterfowl. | | | | STEP 4 |
| This can be accomplished by purchasing | | | | After you've successfully trained your dog with |
| "waterfowl scent" at a hunting supply store. It's | | | | retrieving a decoy, it's time to go hunting! It's |
| also advised to purchase a "decoy" at this time, | | | | important to take many precautions when taking |
| since this will be your main training tool in teaching | | | | your dog hunting, especially the first time. A |
| your Labrador how to hunt. Use the waterfowl | | | | gunshot can be a scary experience for your dog, |
| scent to thoroughly saturate the decoy, so that | | | | so try to get them used to the sound of a gun |
| your dog will be able to distinguish the source of | | | | before your hunting excursion. The best way to |
| the scent. The decoy is what will help you train | | | | do this is to have your dog in an area a significant |
| your Labrador Retriever to find and retrieve fallen | | | | distance away from where you're practice |
| game. | | | | shooting, though at a distance that they can still |
| With the scented decoy, try playing "Fetch" with | | | | see you. As your dog becomes less afraid of the |
| your dog. This can be done on land at first. Throw | | | | sound, try having them restrained at a safe |
| the decoy a short distance away, and praise your | | | | distance slightly closer. Once they associate the |
| dog when they retrieve it. Most Labradors will | | | | sound of the gunshot with you, they'll be less |
| naturally retrieve the decoy out of instinct, but | | | | inclined to be afraid of the noise. Don't forget that |
| don't forget to teach them to bring it back to | | | | a dog's hearing is much more sensitive than a |
| you! Also, it's important not to encourage your | | | | human's! Their hearing is very delicate, and it may |
| Labrador Retriever to chew on the decoy, since | | | | be necessary to provide ear protection for your |
| this can result in them returning damaged game | | | | dog when shooting. |
| to you. | | | | The first hunting trip, try to limit it to only one |
| STEP 3 | | | | retrieval. Remember, this is a learning experience |
| Now it's time to start training in the water! This is | | | | for your dog, and some Labradors may require a |
| also done with the decoy, and requires a shallow | | | | bit of time to understand the association between |
| body of water that does not have a strong | | | | the decoy training and a real hunting trip. It may |
| current. A small pond works best for this | | | | take your dog several hunting trips to understand |
| exercise. Be sure that the waterfowl scent that | | | | how to properly retrieve the game, but don't give |
| you have purchased is water-resistant or | | | | up! Your dog wants to please you, and will |
| waterproof, to prevent the scent from washing | | | | eventually understand how to assist in hunting as |
| off of the decoy in the water. Attract your dog's | | | | long as you are patient. |