| As a seasoned waterfowl hunter you only have | | | | the season, as waterfowl hunting season begins |
| to have hunted with a capable retriever dog once | | | | to approach. Guess what the results are - |
| that you will never want to be afield without such | | | | frustrated hunters - both of the human being and |
| a trusted animal again. Their desire, willingness to | | | | the four legged canine hunter. |
| please, instinct and intelligence never stop to | | | | It should be emphasized to always keep your |
| amaze. It is a truism that hunters have the major | | | | hunting dog in good shape through regular and |
| responsibility of doing everything possible to | | | | ongoing exercise routines. It can be said that a |
| retrieve downed game birds. It can be more than | | | | dog in good shape can concentrate much better |
| said and emphasized that using a retriever dog is | | | | in hunting and retrieval than one that is laboring |
| the best and most effective method for doing | | | | under the strains of more than rigorous hunting |
| this. | | | | conditions. |
| It can be said that volumes about and legends | | | | It is better to feed your dog, a small breakfast |
| have been written and expounded on the | | | | before heading afield. Much like you hunting |
| selection, care and training of hunting retrievers. | | | | retrieval dogs can perform better and can |
| What are the basic considerations and indeed are | | | | perform more of their chores with a full stomach. |
| there any rules or guidelines concerning the use of | | | | Lastly unless you are hunting in or over water, |
| these dogs in waterfowl hunting practices? | | | | always remember to take extra water for your |
| First of all it must be said and emphasized that in | | | | dog or dogs. Dogs, like any fine animal, can easily |
| terms of breed of dog it comes down to | | | | become dehydrated when working extra hard |
| personal preference. There is no one "best" breed | | | | and therefore require liquids regularly. |
| of water fowling dog. Indeed your personal | | | | Remember be fair to your dog - some days it will |
| selection of animal and type of breed may well be | | | | just not "be his day" . Those days when your dog |
| based on practical logistics - your home and family | | | | "is just not in the game" and cannot seem to get |
| situation, the type of dog breeds available to you | | | | things just right fight the urge to discipline your |
| in your local geographic area, or the breeders that | | | | dog excessively in the field. Often, the animal is in |
| can ship to you. Next to consider in the mix is | | | | an unfamiliar situation, has not been trained or just |
| type of birds and waterfowl and the field | | | | all in all may not be feeling at its best. Remember |
| conditions that you will expect to face and endure. | | | | you want your dog to enjoy hunting. In these |
| It is often stated, and held by hunting and wildlife | | | | cases remember that the two of you will have |
| outdoors experts that good bird dogs are "made | | | | another outing hunting yet another day in the |
| not born". It comes down to the most part on | | | | future. |
| training of the dog, rather than breed or pedigree. | | | | It can be said that consistency and regularity is |
| The development of a quality hunting dog requires | | | | everything. Remember to take your dog hunting |
| continual and ongoing training as well as | | | | as often as you possibly can. Expose your dog to |
| reinforcement, almost daily, of continual lessons. It | | | | as many hunting situations as possible. In terms of |
| can be said that too many hunters try the "crash | | | | hunting dogs and the team of the two of you - |
| course", similar to cramming before an exam | | | | your dog and yourself as the hunter - experience |
| schedule in the very last few weeks, just before | | | | is by far the best teacher. |