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For retriever handlers, hunting season is the time to put months of training to the test. But by midseason, many hunters may notice their dogs slipping into bad habits.
“Nothing undoes retriever training quite like hunting,” says Barton Ramsey, founder of Southern Oak Kennels, which breeds and trains British Labrador retrievers at locations across the United States.
While hunting showcases a dog’s training progress, it also introduces excitement and variables that can lead to a decline in discipline if not managed carefully.
The root cause of this regression is often our own fault. “One of the most common mistakes I see is handlers focusing so much on shooting ducks that they forget their dog’s training,” Ramsey explains. Early signs of behavioral issues, like breaking, often go unnoticed in the heat of the moment, allowing these problems to snowball.
Key Areas of Regression
Ramsey identifies three primary areas where retrievers tend to slip during the season:
1. Steadiness
“Steadiness is the first thing to go,” Ramsey warns. Overexcited dogs may break at the shot or when birds hit the water—it’s dangerous behavior. “It’s about control and safety,” Ramsey explains. “If your dog is rock-steady, the hunt runs smoother and you reduce the risk of accidents.”
2. Whistle and Cast Refusals
As the season progresses, some dogs may become slower to respond to whistles and casts during blind retrieves. Ramsey attributes this to overexcitement or handlers who rush their casting directions. “When handlers rush, dogs start making mistakes,” he explains. This can lead to a breakdown in communication between the retriever and handler, which is especially frustrating during challenging retrieves.
3. Overexpanding the Hunting Area
Another common form of regression is when retrievers begin searching for downed birds beyond the intended hunting area. “In waterfowl hunting, if a dog blows out an area and starts searching 100 yards away, he wastes time and energy,” Ramsey says. Proper control ensures that your dog works the designated area efficiently, retrieving birds without unnecessary detours.
Preventing the Midseason Slide
Midseason regression isn’t inevitable. Ramsey offers practical solutions to keep your retriever sharp and focused throughout the season.
1. Keep Training All Season Long
“A big mistake handlers make is stopping training entirely once the hunting season starts,” Ramsey says. Even 10 minutes of focused work per day can make a significant difference.
Here are some of his favorite drills during hunting season:
- Walking baseball: This drill reinforces steadiness and casting precision.
- T-Drills: A simple setup that focuses on sharp whistle stops and directional casting.
- Hunt drills: Ramsey throws a tennis or lacrosse ball with scent into heavy cover to train dogs to hold the area and search thoroughly.
“I teach my dogs a hunt whistle and recommend others do as well,” Ramsey says. “It’s like playing Hot and Cold—the whistle tells them to stay in the area and search thoroughly instead of expanding outward.”
2. Make Steadiness a Lifestyle
Steadiness shouldn’t be confined to the blind—it’s a mindset your dog can and should carry into all aspects of his daily routine. Ramsey builds steadiness into everything his dogs do, from exiting their kennels to eating dinner. “They don’t come out of the kennel until I call them. They don’t eat until I say it’s time. They don’t rush out of the trailer when I open the door,” he explains.
Constant and consistent reinforcement helps dogs understand that rewards—whether food, freedom, or retrieves—come only after they demonstrate calm, steady behavior.
3. Use Denials to Reinforce Patience
Denials, when a dog watches a retrieve but isn’t allowed to pick up the bird, are another powerful tool for combating the midseason slide. “Not every bird is theirs,” Ramsey says. “Having them watch another dog retrieve or walking out to pick up the bird yourself goes a long way in reinforcing patience.”
Ramsey stresses the importance of incorporating denials early and often. “Especially in his first two seasons, your dog shouldn’t pick up 100 percent of the birds. Sharing the work teaches him to wait his turn.”
4. Prioritize Training over Shooting
If your dog is regressing midseason, Ramsey advises putting down the gun and focusing solely on the dog. “Let someone else shoot while you hold your dog on a slip lead,” he says. “If he’s breaking, add denials and withhold retrieves until he’s rock-steady again.”
Ramsey shares a humorous example of when a friend tried to work on steadying his dog by tying her to a stool during a hunt. “The dog broke, knocked my friend to the ground, and ended up dragging the stool through the field,” he remembers with a laugh. “The dog looked terrified, like the stool was chasing her.”
Finishing the Season Strong
The goal of any hunting season is not just success in the field but also long-term growth for your retriever. Midseason is an ideal time to evaluate his performance and address any issues.
“Ask yourself, what are my problem areas? Is my dog staying steady? Is he responsive to whistles and casts? Is he holding the area on retrieves?” Ramsey says. Answering these questions, identifying any problems right away, and dedicating time to fixing them will ensure that you and your retriever end the season on a high note.
The midseason slide doesn’t have to derail your dog’s training or your hunt. By remaining attentive, incorporating training throughout the season, and emphasizing steadiness, you can keep your retriever sharp. “The goal isn’t just to have a good hunting dog this season,” Ramsey says. “It’s to have a steady, reliable hunting partner for life.”
