How to train a gun dog

Training a dog or a puppy can be a laborious task, but training a gun dog is even more complicated. Not only do you have to cover the usual commands of ‘sit’ and ‘stay’, but you also have to work on perfecting their ability to retrieve, point, or flush game birds on command.

Fortunately, though, there are several techniques you can implement to improve your gun dog's behaviour when on a hunt. Before we go into them, let's cover exactly what gun dog training is and what your pup can learn from it.

 

What is a gun dog?

Several gun dog breeds were bred specifically for hunting, with distinct characteristics and talents displayed in each. These include:

Retrievers: As the name suggests, Retrievers were bred to run and pick up the game you've shot to bring it back to you. Labradors and Golden Retrievers are particularly efficient at retrieving waterfowl such as ducks and geese.

Spaniels: Usually used as flushers, Spaniels will find nearby game and chase them into the sky for you to shoot.

Pointers and Setters: These breeds can find game and 'freeze' in place with a paw up and their nose 'pointing' towards where they've spotted them. This is especially useful for hunting upland game such as pheasant and grouse.

 

What is gun dog training?

Beyond the basic obedience training of ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘heel’, gun dog training encourages the natural instincts of various hunting breeds. This type of training involves teaching your dog to fetch, flush, or locate game (or all of the above).

It's important to note that even if you won't be using your dog for hunting, gun dog training can still be very stimulating for intelligent pets, benefitting many breeds. Gun dog training is generally considered advanced, so make sure you have the basics sorted before you step up their training.

Some command words you may want to teach your gun dog include:

• Sit, leave, or stay: It's vital that you have a stop command that your dog reacts to promptly. This not only teaches them control but can also help you avoid any awkwardness on a shoot day if you’re shooting in a syndicate and they try to retrieve another gun's bird.
• Come: It’s worthwhile for any dog to have good recall, but on a shoot, it’s especially important for the safety of others and the dog.
• Heel: Teaching your dog the ‘heel’ command is a great way to ensure you can bring their attention back to you at the drop of a hat. It’s also helpful when walking your dog, to ensure they aren’t walking you!
• Fetch (retrieve): If you want your gun dog to be able to retrieve game, teaching them ‘fetch’ or ‘retrieve’ is highly important to make sure they’re consistently returning the game to you without damaging it.
• Hunt: It's possible to teach your dog to know when they should be in 'hunting mode'. Having a command for hunting lets them know it's not play time, and they have a job to do while you're out in the field. This can also be used as a cue for Pointers and Spaniels to begin searching for game.

It's worth noting that some people will use a whistle or hand signals to accompany the commands which can make them more effective for some dogs. It's best to try different methods and see which your dog understands the best.

 

 

The basics of how to train a gun dog

1. Break everything down

No matter how quickly your dog picks things up in training, it’s important you break everything down step by step. This will increase the chances of your dog making progress, ultimately leading to greater rewards when you’re on a hunt.

2. Stay relaxed

Dogs can tell when you’re stressed or aggravated, and this can have a detrimental effect on your training regime. Therefore, make sure you’re fully relaxed and remain patient during training and your dog will respond positively.

3. Use mornings for training

Mornings are a great time to train your gun dog. This encourages their natural habits and is also a stress-free way of perfecting their behaviour.

For example, start by giving your dog a training dummy whenever they greet you in the morning. Then, take it back off them before they drop it and give them plenty of attention. You can also start leaving dummies around the house for your dog to bring to you in the morning or whenever you return home.

4. Use treats for transitional training

Using treats can be a great way to train your gun dog. However, it's important you use them wisely to encourage the correct actions and behaviours.

You can use treats when teaching your dog to find and collect the dummy. Use a canvas wrap that can cover the dummy and a pouch where you can insert a treat.

When your dog returns the dummy to you, give them another treat. Just make sure you have one ready, so the dog knows they have to let go of the dummy to get the treat.

5. Teaching your dog to sit and wait

Teaching your dog to sit and wait is a good way of dealing with various problems. If you find your gun dog is dropping the dummy too quickly when retrieving it, teaching them to sit and wait properly is a good way of fixing that problem.

Start by getting your dog to sit and wait with the dummy in their mouth for a few seconds. Then, give them a treat so they drop the dummy. This will help your dog understand that they should keep hold of any game they have until you tell them otherwise.

Once your dog masters this, you can start making the process more complexed. Instead of getting your dog to sit and wait, walk away from them when they have the dummy.

Encourage them to walk by your side with the dummy for a few moments before giving them a treat. This way, your dog will learn to keep hold of the game until you’ve made it clear you want them to hand it over.

6. Add distractions when you’re ready

It's great if you've managed to teach your dog some new tricks to help you on a shoot, but now you need to put them to the test. If you have friends with dogs too, invite them round and see if your dog will still listen with the added distraction of new people and other dogs.

Your dog needs to be able to block out the other guns and dogs they may come across on a shoot and solely focus on you.

7. Seek help from a professional

While you should be able to avoid this in most cases, some problems should be dealt with by a trained professional. Some common issues people face while gun dog training include failing to stop or heel, losing confidence in retrieval when they can’t see the game, or becoming too distracted by other dogs or people. After all, you don’t want to be too forceful in your training and make your dog hate the process altogether.

 

How to gun train a dog: FAQs

How much does gun dog training cost?

If you decide to get some help from a professional when training your gun dog, the costs can vary widely depending on whether you want one-on-one or group training classes, or whether you want to pay for a boot camp or weekly lessons.

Depending on the type and intensity of the training you're after, you could be paying anywhere from £30 per hour to up to £2,000 a month for block training away from home.

How do you train a dog not to be gun shy?

If you find that your dog is fearful around guns, training is needed to redirect their attention from the sound of the gun to the task at hand. Slowly introduce them to the sound of guns while consistently getting them to perform their role, such as retrieving the game, with positive reinforcement.

This should teach them to ignore the sounds of the guns and focus on their task. Start with quieter noises for them to ignore and gradually work your way up to the sound of a gunshot. The process must be completed gradually in order to build the dog's confidence.

What age should I start gun dog training?

It's a good idea to focus on basic training and building a solid bond with your puppy during the first 6 months of their life, as this will give you a good foundation for more advanced training.

Socialisation with other animals and people is also really important at this age to make for a well-rounded dog as they get older.

Beyond six months, you can start introducing them to the commands they'll need to know in the field, such as ‘retrieve’, ‘heel’, and ‘hunt’. Once they're consistently performing those commands, you can move on to more advanced training (usually around a year old) such as training on the field and with further distractions.

How long does it take to fully train a gun dog?

Several factors will affect how long it takes for your gun dog to become fully trained, from how quickly they can pick up commands to what you want them to learn. Generally, most dogs can become fully trained gun dogs in 1-3 years.

 

 

Specialist shooting insurance through Ripe

Once you’re confident enough to take your dog out on a hunt, you may want to consider getting specialist shooting insurance.

Specialist shooting insurance through Ripe can help make sure that you and your equipment are fully protected when you’re on a hunt. This way, you can stop worrying about any potential accidents and concentrate on praising your gun dog when they help you bring home plenty of game.

Learn more about specialist shooting insurance through Ripe or get an instant online quote today.