The Lazy J

If you’ve ever played a sport, you know the importance of warming up. A few simple stretches will get your body into position for the actual competition, and shake off the dust that may have been building up on any important skills. The same goes for getting your dog ready for the hunt. Not only does the dog need continuous reinforcement of basic skills, but steps must be taken to prevent their pent-up excitement from spoiling your big day.”Sit” and “Come” should be clear in your dog’s head before heading out. You can teach “Sit” by saying the word, pushing the dog into a sitting position, and then congratulating the heck out of him. Just repeat this for about 15 minutes a day until it’s secure in his mind. You can also add a whistle signifier to the command by blowing a dog whistle once and then following the steps above. Don’t get too excited, thoughyou’re not done yet.After Fido has the basic skill down, increase your distance from the dog (to about 20 or 40 feet). Secure yourself to the dog with a cord (before backing away, obviously). The trick is to not get the dog to follow, which you can accomplish by saying “No!” and taking one step forward with your palm out. When you’re far enough away, pull on the leash to get the dog to come toward you. After he takes a few steps, use the “Sit” command (and the whistle, if you choose) and step toward him. If he doesn’t sit, say “No” and pop him on the chin with the cord. If he does, go to him and congratulate him, then wash, rinse, and repeat.The most important part of training is to get your dog used to birds. Live birds are always best, whether you’re training a pup or an old hound. You can use a clipped wing pigeon to see how your dog will react. Is he a pointer, a charger, or a stalker? After observing, let them run and catch the bird, but make sure they bring it back. If live dogs aren’t available, you can use a tennis ball soaked in bird scent (which can be purchased at any reputable hunting supplier). The dog will be anxious to get the ball, but your “Sit” commands should be strong enough to make him wait for your go-ahead. If they’re not, it means you need more practiceand aren’t you glad you found that out now?Of course, the “Come” command is equally important, and you’ll need to make sure your dog is just as adept at that. With the “Sit” training outlined above, you should be able to come up with a workable training regimen for “Come” as well. Just rememberalways praise the dog for good behavior, but never lash out at them. After all, it’s a learning experience for both of you.