Retriever Training Tips

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Preseason Training Tips
Even though the lazy days of summer are upon us, this is no time to forget your retriever. Starting a consistent conditioning and training program now will help get your dog ready for opening day. As a first step, consider incorporating the following tips and drills from pro trainers Mike Stewart and Justin Tackett into your workout. Working toward specific goals this summer will make you and your retriever a more efficient hunting team in the fall.
Adding Polish & Style
One trainer insists that instilling confidence in your dog during training will result in top in-the-field performance.

Balance in Training
Mike Stewart of Wildrose Kennels explains the mindset behind the retriever-training methodology.
What Not to Do
Be sure to avoid falling into these 10 traps that could harm the training of your retriever.
Putting on the Polish
Polish is more than style. It is a dog's functional behaviors, skills and responses that contribute to a satisfactory day in the field.
Retriever Tune-Up
Prepare your dog for the season and keep him sharp all year long.
Summer Drills for Retrievers
While no training can be a substitute for actual lessons learned in the field, smart dog handlers recognize that off-season workout sessions are a necessity for those who want to keep their retrievers sharp and in top condition. Summer allows that opportunity.
Retrievers: Fear of Gunfire
Long a bane to hunting dogs, gun-shyness is best avoided through common-sense training.
The Training Plan: Part I
We have all heard it said, "We don't plan to fail; we fail to plan." This is one of those absolute truths that's true of retriever training, as well as life in general. A training plan causes us to remain focused on skill development, to reflect and to document. It requires one to think in terms of causal relationships rather than individual drills or exercises.
Retriever Training Plan: Part II
We have all heard it said, "We don't plan to fail; we fail to plan." This is one of those absolute truths that's true of retriever training, as well as life in general. A training plan causes us to remain focused on skill development, to reflect and to document. It requires one to think in terms of causal relationships rather than individual drills or exercises. Follow part II of this series.
Fundamentals of Blind Retrieves
One of the most exhilarating and rewarding aspects of developing a finished waterfowl retriever is training the dog to run blinds, that is to pick up birds the dog didn't see fall. Let's briefly look at the four fundamental skill sets necessary to run successful blinds.
10 Pitfalls in Retriever Training: Part I
Many of the problems that owner-trainers experience when training retrievers could be minimized easily if addressed early in training. It is much better to not condition in a problem that you must later train out. Here are some of the top pitfalls trainers face.
10 Pitfalls in Retriever Training: Part II
Many of the problems that owner-trainers experience when training retrievers could be minimized easily if addressed early in training. It is much better to not condition in a problem that you must later train out. Here are some of the top pitfalls trainers face. Part II.
Marking off the Gun
Marking is a retriever's ability to sight fallen game or a bumper, and accurately remember the exact location of the mark(s), combined with the ability to line to the location and secure the downed game or bumper by sight or scent. Here are a few tips to improve your dog's marking ability.
Five Key Points for Training Your Retriever
Robert Milner explores five key points that will aid in training your new retriever: Obedience, coming on command, too much dog, electric collars and selective breeding.
Common Problems & Solutions in Dog Training
Four common problems and solutions that will improve your dog's performance in the field.

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