Steadying the Retriever - Part II

By Mike Stewart
Wildrose Kennels - Home of Drake the DU Dog

It is important to structure training exercises and drills that do not compromise steadiness. Too many marks, quickly releasing dogs for retrieves, and associating gunfire with immediate retrieves all serve to undermine steadying efforts. As often as possible, utilize training methods that protect steadiness integrity.

Part I of "Steadying the Retriever" presented the preliminaries. Part II will offer proven methods to help produce that rock-steady, shooting dog.

The Beginning - Steadiness conditioning must begin early. Young pups should not be "spun up" with repeated, meaningless retrieves. Keep pups calm and focused with only a few retrieves per week.

When the time comes to delay the pup's release on a retrieve, don't use forceful restraints. Place the pup between your legs as you kneel down. Place your hands across the pup's chest and cradle the pup against the legs. Pitch the bumper and release when ready by simply removing your hands. Now we are already in the kneeling position to encourage prompt return. As the pup understands the concept of the delay and becomes calmer, lengthen the extent of the delay.

Next, restrain the pup lightly from the side to delay the release. When the pup is patient for short periods prior to release, move out in front of the pup to toss the bumper. Place yourself between the bumper and the pup by tossing the bumper over your shoulder. The pup's path is blocked to the bumper and the sit command can be encouraged. If pup runs in, he can be stopped or you can quickly pick up the bumper yourself.

Group Dynamics - Once your pup understands the concept of steadiness, begin to steady him in groups of other dogs. Pups pick up on the mannerisms and actions of other dogs in the group. It is quite easy to steady 3 to 4 pups together since one often mimics the actions of the others. This exercise also begins the concept of honoring.

Walkups - Walkup exercises become possible after the pup can promptly respond to sit and heel. A "walkup" is heeling the dog across fields while bumpers are tossed out front, similar to a bird being flushed. The pup is required to sit on command as the bumper is thrown. This begins the concept of sit to flush. Whether or not the dog will ever be on an upland hunt, the drill pays dividends. A handler is actually training the pup to sit when the bird/mark is thrown and a shot is fired. The counteraction (sit) is conditioned to minimize the likelihood of the undesirable reaction (run in). Use bumpers, cold game, remote launchers, and planted, live birds to condition pups to sit on flyers.

Memories - Substitute memories for marks. Excessive marking destabilizes steadiness and promotes independent action on the part of the dog. Memories involve placing bumpers or birds in varied locations and sending dogs back for the retrieve at a later time from a different location. Site, trailing and circle memories enhance steadiness, as will sending dogs away from thrown marks back to previously placed memories. The key is that the dog is not sent straight away for the retrieve.

Distractions - Another important part of steadiness is the ability of the dog to handle distractions in the field, especially on the retrieve. Involve planted birds, thrown bumpers as diversions, flushing birds, gunfire, and other dogs working on land or in water as your dog remains focused on making their retrieves. Steadiness also involves sitting quietly without noise or movement in the blind for long periods as other dogs work, calls are blown, guns are fired, and birds are working in the sky-even sitting motionless as birds land directly on the water in front of the dog.

Conditioning - Steadiness conditioning must be drilled before each hunting season, even in older dogs. The excitement of the hunt may well destabilize the most experienced dog. Get the dog some birds and shooting exposure prior to the opening day. Private game farms and sporting clay shoots offer great preseason training opportunities. Live pigeons, pen-raised quail, or domestic ducks can provide a bit of live game exposure to reinforce steadiness. As a final point, don't leave anything to chance in the field with your first-season pup. Tie young pups on their first hunts to ensure no breaks or creeping.

One of the most important goals to have for a new retriever prospect for the first year in the field is to develop steadiness to shot and fall. This skill is considered by most wingshooters as the cornerstone to a fine gundog.

Shortchanging the training program for steadiness in early training limits the potential of your hunting companion long term. 

"Steadying the Retriever" - Part I