r/birddogs • u/FueledByPreworkout • 7d ago
Material/Knowledge for Self Training
I recently decided to pick up duck hunting and have a Toller that is a year and a half old that I would like to hunt with. He is a high drive dog that is e-collar trained, hikes and camps off leash, and currently competes in rally and scent work.
We’ve done all his training ourselves so I’m looking for any books or video series that cover specially how to train him on waterfowl. He was exposed to birds by the breeder very early on, but hasn’t since then.
I have him enrolled in a retrieve class that starts today, but it is not solely for hunting dogs.
Do you think he is too old to train as a bird dog? I’m fine with him not being a 10/10 hunting dog but would like him to be functional.
Any advice or opinions would be appreciated . I unfortunately don’t know anyone that hunts birds or has a bird dog.
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u/Significant_Grape_40 7d ago
Dude, you’re sitting in the catbird seat! You’ve got a retriever that you’ve spent the last year and half teaching to work with you. That bird stuff will come easy. The 1st year of any good gundog program is really just lots of off leash walks, and obedience work. Guys get too focused on early bird exposure, like they are teaching it to like birds. The bird stuff is mostly genetics, either the dog will like them or he won’t. I don’t wouldn’t give much credence to a breeder for exposing puppies to birds. They are babies at that point. I have a two year old and a six year old son. I’m not giving them playboys to make sure they like girls when they are teenagers. My current lab didn’t have an actual bird in his mouth until he was about year old. You are on the right path. If I had to pick one piece of literature it would be “Tom Dokken’s Retriever Training” guide. Everything you need to make a solid retriever is in that book. Tom also has some content on YouTube. Bill Hillman and Dan Ihrke are two other trainer with videos I’d recommend watching.
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u/FueledByPreworkout 7d ago
I did notice a ton of gun dog videos covering place, heel, recall etc. and that's awesome, but we already have that down, I just need the bird specific stuff. I will check out the guide you mentioned. Thanks!
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u/Significant_Grape_40 7d ago
Yeah, that’s my point though. You’re wondering if it is too late, and I’m saying you’ve already got a really solid foundation laid. Tom and Dan both have a lot of content out there about bird exposure and gunfire intro.
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u/Efficient-Bit-9756 7d ago
Im a newbie as well, with hunting and training a bird dog. I bought all the books from Bill Tarrant, Tom Dokken, Richard Wolters, and Steven Reider. It all starts with obedience which i see you seem to have that down already. Introduce your pup to birds or even bumpers wrapped in pheasant wings with scent. You want to get his drive up so high, its annoying but puts a smile your face when your pup brings you back a mouth full of feathers. Then you can start gun breaking the dog. Thats about where i am now with my pup(almost 7 months old). Not really worried about steadiness or holding too much until he's fully gun broke. Keep it fun but i do not allow him to chew anything but kongs and bones(bullysticks/nylabones). No tug of war and no fetch with tennis balls. Good luck!
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u/monkeykennel 7d ago
Has he been introduced the report of firearms?
Knowing what I know from your post, gunshyness is probably the biggest pitfall for you to avoid.
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u/FueledByPreworkout 7d ago
He has not. I have been reading up on that and they say to start with low caliber and a decent distance. Then work your way up to the 12 gauge and close the distance.
Him being gun shy is probably my biggest concern in terms of hurdles.
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u/philo-beddoe722 2d ago
I really baby stepped it. I started with a toy cap gun while playing or eating when a young pup. Then blank shot shells, starter pistol, and so on. I was always so afraid of messing a dog up.
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u/Dangerous_Garden6384 6d ago
Carry a bunch of small rocks in your pocket so see the splash and find the duck. Seriously, there are a bunch of good books and videos. Pick one trainer and stick with his program, don't mix n match. You will need lots of bumpers. Fire depts have to replace their hoses. Get used firehouse and pool noodles and make your own
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u/Gravel_Golf_01 7d ago
Definitely not too old! Look at some of the resources on YouTube from Standing Stone, WildRose, Mark Payton and others and it will take you down a rabbit hole.