A message from Jean

Training a good duck hunting dog is a pursuit that builds an unbreakable bond between the owner and the dog. To begin with the dog must have a solid foundation of obedience once it has matured beyond the puppy stage. It is helpful to ensure the dog spends as much time as possible in the outdoors, getting plenty of exercise and honing its native curiosity.

The hallmark of a well-trained duck hunting dog is the ability to accomplish a “blind” retrieve, or to locate a bird the dog did not see fall. This requires a unique trust between master and dog. The dog must learn to trust that the handler will direct him to the fallen game.

Hunting dogs are first taught how to fetch the bird and return directly to the handler. After that the dog is taught to “take a line”. The importance of this skill is to teach the dog to take the most direct route to the bird.

“Handling” is another important skill for duck hunting dogs. If a dog is “on line” to the bird and suddenly veers off course the dog can be stopped by a whistle command and wait until the hunter gives a hand signal which directs him back on line. It is the handler’s job to place the dog in the most advantageous location to retrieve the bird. Learning to work together as a team is the ultimate communication which results in the greatest satisfaction for both dog and handler.