Back in the 1960s and early ’70s, the prevailing wisdom was clear: hunting dogs didn’t live indoors. The expectation was that a bird dog, whether a Labrador retriever, German shorthaired pointer, or Brittany, was best suited to life in an outdoor kennel. My own Irish setter, Sheila, despite being a disappointment as a hunter, spent her days outside as well.
This mindset stemmed from the belief that living indoors would somehow compromise a dog’s hunting abilities. Yet, this notion was more myth than fact. The real concern was to prevent the spread of external parasites like fleas and mange mites, but with today’s advanced preventatives, this risk is largely eliminated.
In 2024, there’s no reason your hunting partner can’t thrive indoors. In fact, living with your dog can enhance your bond, making them more biddable and eager-to-please both in the field and at home. Children with dogs often experience increased physical activity and learn valuable lessons in responsibility and empathy. Likewise, adults benefit from the exercise and companionship a dog provides.
Here are six hunting dog breeds that excel both as field performers and loving family members:
1. Labrador Retriever
Consistently topping the American Kennel Club’s registration list, the Labrador retriever is a versatile and reliable hunting companion. Labs are known for their intelligence, trainability, and affectionate nature. They’re great with kids and excel at retrieving tasks, both in water and on land. Labs have a low fear and aggression profile, making them excellent service dogs but less suited as guard dogs. They do have a tendency to overeat, so portion control and attention to body condition are crucial.
2. Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers have long held a top spot in AKC registrations, thanks to their affectionate and fun-loving nature. While they share many qualities with Labs, Golden retrievers are known for their party-loving spirit and high energy. If hunting is your focus, ensure you select a Golden from solid field stock rather than the more show-oriented models. The breed’s luxurious coat requires regular maintenance, especially if you’re hunting in dense cover. Be mindful of the breed’s higher risk for certain cancers, particularly in spayed females.
3. German Shorthaired Pointer
The German shorthaired pointer is a rugged, all-purpose hunting dog that performs well in various upland gamebird hunts. Known for its versatility, the GSP can handle both light water work and upland tasks. Despite their stoic appearance, GSPs are loving and adaptable, transitioning smoothly between field and home life. They’re excellent with children but can be prone to bloat and gastric torsion, conditions that require immediate veterinary attention.
4. Brittany
The Brittany, often mistaken for a lap dog due to its friendly appearance, is an exceptional upland hunter. This breed, once known as the Brittany spaniel, was developed in France for both hunting and as a versatile companion. Brittanys are known for their joyful personalities and adaptability to family life. They’re particularly suited for apartment living due to their moderate size. Though they can be quirky, they’re excellent companions and hunters.
5. English Setter
The English setter is renowned for its elegance and functionality. This breed exudes a romantic aura and is a favorite among those who appreciate both style and performance. English setters vary widely in size and appearance, but all share a refined personality. They can be slow and methodical or fast and ground-covering, depending on the individual. Despite their varying types, all setters are known for their classic hunting style and affectionate nature.
6. Pointer
Often stereotyped as aloof and single-minded, the pointer can actually make a great house dog. Despite their reputation for living in kennels, pointers can thrive indoors and form strong bonds with their families. They are affectionate and responsive to their owners, which can enhance their hunting performance. Pointers enjoy close company and can be seen lounging on the couch or begging at the table, all while maintaining their hunting prowess.
In addition to these breeds, there are others like the wirehaired pointing griffon and the American and Boykin spaniels that also make great companions and hunting partners. Whether you’re looking for a versatile hunter or a loyal family member, these breeds can excel in both roles, making them excellent choices for any household.
Duck dogs must fetch on command and hold the duck for delivery to hand. While these fundamentals are largely instinctive in well-bred dogs, they must be honed through training. A popular technique is “force-fetch,” which involves harsh negative reinforcement until the desired result is achieved. However, this method can be misapplied and have lasting consequences for meek dogs. An alternative method, known as “forceless fetch,” begins when the dog is a pup and is continually revisited into adulthood. This method teaches the dog to hold and fetch through conditioning, not force.
The forceless fetch method starts when the pup is three months old and is taught to hold a leather gardening glove. Later, the pup is taught to fetch the glove on command. When the pup is around four months old, the “Traffic Cop” drill is introduced, where the dog is commanded to sit and retrieve a bumper while the trainer positions themselves between the dog and the bumper to maintain control. If the dog repeatedly spits out the bumper, the “hold” command may need to be revisited.
While force-fetch is widely considered a standard step in any retriever program, the downside to old-school force breaking is that it can have lasting consequences for meek dogs and is not pleasant for trainers. The forceless fetch method is an alternative that teaches the dog to hold and fetch through conditioning, not force.
Obedience is crucial for retriever training. It serves as a foundation for better performance at home and in the field. Regular practice of obedience drills is necessary, but it need not be time-consuming. Just 5-10 minutes a day can yield excellent results.
There are several obedience drills that you can do with your retriever, which can be done regardless of the weather and location. These drills can be done inside or outside, making them convenient for any situation.
What lead or leash to use for obedience training retrievers
Although I personally dislike using leads or leashes, I understand their importance in training an obedient retriever. Many people make the mistake of discontinuing the use of leads too soon, resulting in the need to repeat previous lessons and potentially creating a “lead wise” dog. It is important to avoid this by continuing to use leads during training. However, it is not necessary to constantly hold onto the lead – much training can be done with the dog simply dragging the lead.
Choosing the right lead for retriever obedience is crucial for successful training
For training puppies and adult dogs that don’t come when called, I use a 50-foot lead to ensure I can reel them in if they refuse my command. This length is also necessary for retrievers so that I can guide them back to me after retrieving an item. However, most of my training is done with a 6-15-foot lead. Once a retriever is obedient, I switch to a short tab lead, around 6 inches, that I can hold in my hand. Here is a recommended leather tab lead.
I use tab leads for my dogs during training and long marks to reinforce obedience and steady work. It also helps with their work to and from the boat, blind, or line. Many people stop using tab leads too early. I avoid leads with loops because they can be dangerous if they hook onto an obstacle while the dog is running or swimming to retrieve.
When it comes to choosing the right collar for retriever obedience
To teach your retriever obedience, it is important to use the right collar. A standard buckle collar is not suitable for obedience drills as it is not designed for dogs to pull against. Instead, a chain or prong collar is recommended as it puts pressure on your retriever when he chooses not to listen. This correction is not harsh and involves a quick tightening of the collar followed by a quick release. This change in pressure helps your dog understand that you are in control and he needs to listen. Using a chain or prong collar can teach your retriever quickly and effectively, encouraging him to perform tasks quickly and correctly.
At our kennel, we frequently encounter clients who bring their dogs for obedience issues. However, we have observed that the major problem is often the lack of appropriate tools. It is imperative to use the right tools as they make a significant difference in training the dogs.
Obedience drills for retrievers
Walking your retriever on-lead is an important aspect of responsible dog ownership
Taking your dog on a walk on lead is the most common obedience drill. However, owners often face the problem of surging or pulling when walking their dogs. This occurs when the dog appears to be walking the owner instead of the other way around. It is a common issue that needs to be addressed during obedience training.
There are several devices available to help with the problem of teaching dogs to walk obediently, but I personally do not favor them. In my experience, I have been able to quickly train every dog that has been dropped off for training to walk obediently next to me using only a lead and either a chain or prong collar. Therefore, I find that other devices are unnecessary.
Correcting surging or pulling on leash
If you have a dog that pulls and surges while walking, changing directions is an easy and quick solution. When your dog starts pulling, immediately turn and start walking in the opposite direction while making sharp jerks on the leash and chain collar. Say the HEEL command and continue to do this each time the dog starts pulling or surging forward. This correction will help your dog learn to walk calmly on a leash.
When training your dog to stop pulling during walks, it’s normal to experience some initial frustration. It’s not uncommon to find yourself unable to even leave your driveway at first. However, with consistent practice, your dog will learn to pay attention to your movements and direction, resulting in more enjoyable walks for both of you.
Walking with your Retriever off-lead
To transition your on-lead walking dog to off-leash walking, follow this simple progression. Begin by practicing in a safe, enclosed area with no distractions. Gradually increase the distance between you and your dog as they become more comfortable and reliable. Use positive reinforcement and reward good behavior. Consistency is key in this process. With patience and practice, your dog will learn to walk off-leash with ease.
Practice walks with dog on lead held by you
Progress to having dog drag lead while walking
Use lead to make necessary corrections
After several sessions, take lead off but tuck it into pocket next to dog
Leave a bit of lead exposed for dog to see
Eventually, have lead completely concealed in pocket
It is important to bring a lead with you on walks, even if your dog is skilled at walking off-lead. You never know what circumstances you may encounter, and having a way to control your dog is crucial. Always be prepared and bring a lead with you on every walk.
The Sit Command
Retriever owners commonly teach their dogs the SIT command, but often the command is weak. This weakness is evident when owners move or there are distractions, causing the dog to move as well. To strengthen the SIT command, consistency and standards are required. Fortunately, this is not a difficult task.
Start by having your dog SIT.
Walk a few feet away from your dog.
If your dog moves, tell him NO SIT and walk him back to the exact spot where he was sitting.
Repeat the command SIT.
Place a piece of tape on the floor or mark the ground in some way to ensure location is extremely important in this drill.
Take your dog back to the exact spot from which he moved or even further away from you.
As the dog gets steadier and stays seated, extend the distance.
Add temptations such as walking in a big circle around him, bending down, or clapping your hands.
If he moves, take him right back to the spot he moved from and repeat.
Work on this command to result in a nice strong SIT that you can feel confident in.
Teaching your Retriever to sit on the whistle.
Teaching your retriever to respond to a whistle has numerous benefits. Whistle commands can be heard from a greater distance than voice commands, and can cut through background noise. Additionally, whistles are clear and concise, devoid of any human emotion that may confuse or distract a dog. In my experience, retrievers consistently respond better to a SIT whistle than to a voice command.
When using whistles for dog training, there are only two commands: SIT and HERE. To communicate a SIT command, one toot on the whistle is sufficient. However, the volume and length of the whistle blast may need to vary depending on the distance of the dog from you and the level of emphasis needed for the command to be effective.
A HERE whistle command consists of three whistle blasts in quick succession without any pause in between. The sound produced is typically toot-toot-toot.
Start with dog in HEEL position and on lead
Command dog to SIT and immediately blow whistle one toot
Begin walking with dog at HEEL
After a few yards, repeat SIT verbal and whistle command
Repeat several times
Switch order: whistle command first, then voice command SIT
After consistent repetition, the dog will associate the whistle with the desired action, allowing for the elimination of the voice command.
Sitting at a distance
It’s important to understand that teaching your retriever the SIT command next to you does not necessarily mean they understand it at a distance. The SIT AT DISTANCE command is crucial in teaching your dog to respond to the command no matter where they are. This command reinforces the idea that whenever you say SIT, they must sit down, regardless of their location.
Teaching SIT at distance is a beneficial skill to have as a dog owner. It provides greater control over your retriever when they are off lead, whether you are an upland hunter or simply want more control at home. SIT at distance improves your dog’s responsiveness to your commands and can enhance your overall upland hunting experience.
To teach SIT AT DISTANCE, begin with the dog near you. As the dog learns, gradually increase the distance.
Say SIT command to the dog while paying attention to its location.
If the dog moves, bring it back to the exact location using a lead, tab lead or collar.
Repeat the SIT command after walking back to your original position.
If the dog still doesn’t SIT, walk towards it while repeating the command.
Once the dog SITS, say GOOD DOG.
Give a release command like OKAY and repeat step one after a few minutes.
Do not move further away until the dog consistently SITS from a few feet away.
Over time, increase the distance gradually as the dog progresses.
To improve your dog’s response, consistent training is key. Incorporating the SIT whistle along with the command will aid in their understanding. With time and practice, your retriever will learn to SIT on command, regardless of their distance from you.
In conclusion, Obedience training is crucial for your retriever’s overall development. It not only helps in preventing various issues at home and in the field but also enhances their ability to learn other training, such as hunting or competition. If you find it overwhelming to train your retriever or have a busy schedule, Bull Valley Retrievers can assist you with their programs tailored to your goals.
Force fetching is a popular training technique used to teach retrievers to reliably retrieve game on command. Force fetching is a process of teaching a retriever to retrieve a game bird or other object on command and to hold it until released. It is an important part of training a retriever for hunting and field trials.
Force fetching is a process that requires patience and consistency. It begins with teaching the dog to take an object in its mouth. This is done by presenting the object and using a verbal command, such as “fetch” or “take it.” Once the dog has the object in its mouth, the handler should use a verbal command, such as “hold” or “carry,” to encourage the dog to keep the object in its mouth. The handler should then use a verbal command, such as “give” or “drop,” to encourage the dog to release the object.
Once the dog has mastered the basics of force fetching, the handler can begin to teach more advanced commands, such as “Back”, which leads into Handling or Blind Work. Force fetching is an important part of training a retriever and should be done with patience and consistency. With proper training, a retriever can become a reliable hunting partner and a great addition to any hunting party.
If it’s one on one training for your Hunting Dog Training or if you prefer a Board and Train option, contact Bull Valley Retrievers for complete information and availability. It is highly recommended that you book One on One Training a couple weeks in advance and Board and Train should be reserved several months in advance. As a limited number of dogs are accepted for Board and Train and spots fill very quickly.
Keep in mind that training is a marathon and not a sprint. Contact your Overall Retriever Training Source – Bull Valley Retrievers for your evaluation and help creating the plan you need to create the exceptional Retriever. Contact Bull Valley Retrievers Here
Bull Valley Retrievers – Your Overall Retriever Training Source
Your Overall Retriever Training Source – Bull Valley Retrievers
For over 20 years Bull Valley Retrievers has been your Overall Retriever Training Source! If it’s All Breed Obedience, Companion Hunting Dog Training / Companion Gun Dog Training, Shed Dog Training or If you’re interested in Hunt Test Training, we are your source.
Hunting with a trained retriever makes a good hunt great! Our training programs are designed to create overall retriever training, available at your fingertips by offering one-on-on training as well as a board and train option.
We start with an evaluation, after the evaluation we then develop a plan for you and your dog. The plan will help you stay focused and develop the dog you are looking for. Just like a book, a plan should be followed chapter by chapter and will help promote learning, keeping in mind that a dog learns by repetition, hence creating a habit.
Creating a plan will help
Stay focused
Teach progressively
Employ repetition to the point of habit formation
Evaluate results
Remain flexible
Break down all skills into their individual components
Keep in mind that training is a marathon and not a sprint. Contact your Overall Retriever Training Source – Bull Valley Retrievers for your evaluation and help creating the plan you need to create the exceptional Retriever. Contact Bull Valley Retrievers Here
Weather it’s Upland Training or Waterfowl Training – Trust Northern Illinois Hunting Dog Training at Bull Valley Retrievers
Hunting Dog Training at Bull Valley Retrievers has been in full speed for over 20 years. Their Northern Illinois Hunting dog training programs are tailored to fit just about any schedule or budget, while providing successful results! Keeping in mind that all dogs are not created equal, BVR will provide a program that will give your dog the highest chance of success at being the best he can be!
One on One Sessions
One on One sessions are designed to teach you and your dog the steps needed to progress. These sessions are approximately one hour and are held either weekly or bi-weekly at the handlers and trainers agreed upon session schedule. The number of sessions is dependent on how much the handler puts into working with the dog and the level of training the handler is expecting out of the dog.
Board and Train
This is a program that BVR will do the training. Typically an entry level, started hunting dog program will last 4 months and consists of the following:
Obedience / Manners
Conditioned Retrieve / Force Fetch
Collar conditioning
Intro to Gun Fire
Steady
Deliver to hand
Singles – maybe doubles on Land and Water
If it’s one on one training for your Hunting Dog Training or if you prefer a Board and Train option, contact Bull Valley Retrievers for complete information and availability. It is highly recommended that you book One on One Training a couple weeks in advance and Board and Train should be reserved several months in advance. As a limited number of dogs are accepted for Board and Train and spots fill very quickly.
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