Raising a Properly-Trained Hunting Dog Takes Time and Money

Dogs have their own individual personality and temperament, and training one requires patience and dedication. Much of a dog’s personality depends on its breed, and some, like English Setters, are great with families as well as on the hunting trail. Teaching this breed of canine to be a good hunting dog takes skill and plenty of time.

The Do-it-Yourself Method

One way to train hunting dogs is to consider cute English setter puppies for sale cute english setter puppies for sale, buy one and start from scratch. Thorough research will reveal plenty of reputable breeders. Starting with a clean slate by bringing home an English Setter puppy is good in theory, but the owner must be knowledgeable enough to use the proper training techniques. There are two different breed types.

• Bench Setters are the larger of the two types. They have longer coats and are the type of English Setter seen in dog shows.

• Field Setters are smaller, with shorter coats. Their small size helps them squeeze into cramped places when hunting.

These types of dogs may crave human companionship, but they can be surprisingly stubborn. Unlike some other breeds, the desire to please is not a dominant personality trait. They are masters at manipulation, so consistency is the foundation for effectively training them. 

They are sensitive and have good memories, so kindness and gentleness is critical in the training process. They are high-energy dogs, and do not do well cooped up inside all day. English Setters have a tendency to chew things and get destructive when bored, so giving them plenty of room to roam in the back yard, with enough activities to keep them occupied, means a happy dog. Training English Setters to hunt involves teaching them specific skills, so experienced hunters will have the necessary background to being the schooling process. 

• When hunting birds, the dogs need to learn water fowling techniques when the bird is shot down. Simulations as part of a training regimen are a good way to expose them to what is required. 

• Hunting dogs also need to learn how to handle themselves in the water by practicing the “swim-by.” This technique got its name because it teaches the dog to swim by the handler on command. 

Professional Training

Owners who don’t want to take the chance of making a mistake in the training process can take their hunting dog to a professional trainer. This proposition is expensive, so carefully researching which trainers are suited for the task is the most cost-effective method of choosing. A good strategy is to shop around for english setter puppies for sale and start fresh with a good dog.

Early training for the puppy should lay the groundwork to make it easy to work with, like teaching it not to jump up on people or bite, to learn its name and to come when called. Early lessons even before the professional trainer can include housebreaking and how to heel, sit and stay. Making a game of basic retrieval skills and introducing the puppy to freshly killed birds is also good.

Handling the puppy frequently to get it accustomed to constant human contact teaches socialization skills, and will likely make a dog with the right temperament an eager learner. Exposing him to various situations gives him confidence to face unfamiliar things, and gives him an edge over other dogs even before he sets a single paw in the classroom. If there is more than dog, sending the better-behaved animal for formal training will produce better results.

Whether taking on the job personally or hiring a professional, training a hunting dog is a big responsibility. English Setters have an inborn hunting instinct, and they are eager learners. Carefully training the right dog will result in an energetic, willing hunting partner for the owner.