Gundog Training Notes
By Debs Sutton
GUNDOG TRAINING NOTES
Use the words GET ON when sending the dog for the dummy.
Take time to set him up, give him all the help you can.
Use the word GIVE when you want the dog to give you the dummy. Never grab the dummy or take it roughly.
Welcome him back to you, smile and praise him.
When the dog sees the dummy land it’s called a MARK. Teach the dog the word MARK in order to encourage him to watch and remember.
When the dog is sent for a dummy that is hidden, it is called a BLIND.
A MEMORY is when the dog has seen a dummy thrown, and is sent for it some time later.
When the dummy is behind your dog, the command is BACK.
When the dummy is to his side, the command is OUT.
Never allow your handling to become rough or sloppy.
Do not allow your dog to have squeaky toys or he will ‘mouth’ the dummy to get it to squeak.
Do not reward your dog with a treat for a retrieve or he will learn to spit the dummy out.
It’s your job to make sure your dog doesn’t fail, he will enjoy his work and gain confidence if he succeeds.
Debs Sutton
APDT No. 00694
