As well as being wonderful companions, Labradors are also excellent hunting dogs. When our breed was founded in Newfoundland, it was our special hunting characteristics that began to make Labradors so popular with hunters and anglers alike. These traits that made us so effective for hunting were sought after by early Labrador Retriever breeders, and continue to be desirable breed traits with Labrador breeders today. Labradors can be excellent hunting dogs, although it is recommended to train us a little before taking us hunting.
STEP 1
Although this is probably not difficult, the first thing to do when training your Labrador to use as a hunting dog is to get him used to the water. Most of us Labs love anything to do with water, and we won’t need much encouragement to swim and fully immerse ourselves in everything in sight. However, there are still some dogs that are a bit hesitant when they first encounter water. The best method is to have your dog approach the water slowly, giving him time to sniff it out and figure out what it is. If necessary, you can get in the water yourself, which will help show your dog that he doesn’t have to be afraid of water.
Try tossing a toy into the water a short distance (floating toys work best for this!). If your dog jumps in the water right away to retrieve the toy, be sure to give him a treat and praise.
STEP 2
After this, you need to familiarize your Labrador Retriever with the scent of waterfowl. This can be accomplished by purchasing “waterfowl scent” at a hunting supply store. It is also recommended to purchase a “decoy” at this time as this will be your main training tool in teaching your Labrador to hunt. Use the scent of waterfowl to fully saturate the lure so your dog can distinguish the source of the scent. The lure is what will help you train your Labrador Retriever to find and retrieve dropped game.
With the scented lure, try playing “Fetch” with your dog. This can be done on land at first. Throw the lure a short distance and praise your dog when he retrieves it. Most Labs will naturally retrieve the lure by instinct, but don’t forget to teach them to bring it to you! Also, it is important not to encourage your Labrador Retriever to chew on the lure, as this can cause damaged game to be returned to you.
STEP 3
Now it’s time to start training in the water! This is also done with the lure and requires a shallow body of water that does not have a strong current. A small pond works best for this exercise. Make sure the waterfowl scent you purchased is waterproof or waterproof, to prevent the scent from washing out of the lure in the water. Get your dog’s attention and then proceed to cast the lure into the water (but still in sight). When your dog returns the lure to you (which he should, if he has successfully trained you to retrieve the lure on land), be sure to give him plenty of praise! Reinforcing this as “good” behavior is a very important step towards successful hunting training for your Labrador. Try throwing the lure farther out into the water so your dog has to swim a short distance to retrieve it. If they can pull this off, give them a treat!
These training steps may have to be repeated many times before your dog has a 100% recovery rate and always brings back the lure unscathed. Some dogs can learn faster than others, especially dogs that have been specifically bred to emphasize hunting traits. Certain Labrador Retriever breeders specialize in hunting dogs and are highly trained to produce the ideal Labradors for waterfowl hunting.
Hunting with your dog can also be a great bonding experience, as we love any opportunity to spend time with you! We Labradors are very loyal and will do our best to meet your needs for an effective hunting dog. The best training program, with the highest success rate, is a training program that is implemented while we are still puppies. Early learning development increases the chances that we will be able to easily adapt to training techniques. Don’t forget to use positive reinforcement! We Labradors just want to please you, and we will excel in a training program that produces rewards for you.
STEP 4
Once you’ve successfully trained your dog to retrieve a lure, it’s time to go hunting! It’s important to take a lot of precautions when you take your dog hunting, especially the first time. A gunshot can be a frightening experience for your dog, so try to get him used to the sound of a gun before your hunting excursion. The best way to do this is to have your dog in an area a significant distance away from where he is practicing shooting, yet at a distance where you can still see him. As your dog becomes less afraid of the sound, try holding him at a safe distance a little closer. Once they associate the sound of the gunshot with you, they will be less inclined to be afraid of the noise. Don’t forget that a dog’s ear is much more sensitive than a human’s! His hearing is very delicate and it may be necessary to protect your dog’s ears when he shoots.
On the first hunting trip, try to limit it to a single retrieve. Remember, this is a learning experience for your dog, and some Labs may need a little time to understand the association between lure training and an actual hunting trip. It may take your dog several hunting trips to understand how to properly retrieve prey, but don’t give up! Your dog wants to please you and will eventually understand how to help in the hunt, as long as you are patient.