Dog Training

A hunting dog runs in the snow for exercise.
How to Keep a Hunting Dog Conditioned in the Winter

From the peaks of Alaska to the bayous of Louisiana, dog trainers and experts discuss…

A hunter ready to take the VJP with his German hunting dog.
How to Prepare a Dog for the VJP Test

Getting your dog ready to run in the puppy natural ability test for the German…

a group of setting spaniels
The Word “Setter” Does Not Mean What We Think It Does

The truth behind the word ‘setter’ has quite the history behind it; one you may…

An Irish Water Spaniel points at cover.
The Importance of Training Steadiness in Bird Dogs

There are many reasons to train a dog to remain steady from flush to fall,…

Jordan Wells demonstrates his force fetch training method.
Old Dogs, New Tricks: Smith-Inspired Innovations and the Wells Method of Fetch

At the center of bird dog training and handling is a community of inherited thought…

A Brittany holds a bird dummy during retrieve training
Introduction to Force Fetch for Pointing Dogs

Demystify the process of training your pointing dog to reliably retrieve any object on command…

Rick Smith trains a Brittany to be steady
The Smith Method of Bird Dog Training with Rick Smith

DIY bird dog training using the Smith Method with trainer Rick Smith This article is…

A Large Munsterlander dog retrieving a red fox
How to Acquire Furred Animals for Dog Training

Training a versatile hunting dog may require the use of mammals in your training program;…

A dog's face covered in porcupine quills
Porcupine Quills and Dog Encounters: A First Aid and Avoidance Guide

Exploring the dangers, first aid best practices, and avoidance training of porcupines and dog encounters …

A hunting dog find s a truffle in the thick understory of the forest.
Truffle Hunting With Your Dog

Learn how to work with your dog to find wild or cultivated truffles in the…

a professional dog trainer commands a dog
How to Correctly Command Your Dog

As Commander-in-Chief of your hunting dog, make sure your intended message is clearly understood “Where…

A pigeon is released for bird dog training while two Pointers stand in the background
How to Keep and Raise Pigeons for Dog Training

Considerations for pigeon loft design, types of pigeons, and reasons why keeping birds is beneficial…

A chocolate lab in a Dakota283 kennel for crate training
How to Solve Separation Anxiety Issues with Dogs

Crate training is a critical step in addressing separation anxiety when your dog is left…

A bird dog hunts in the Arizona desert
Dogs and Snake Bites

Venomous snakes can be found in the majority of states, so understanding how to avoid…

Mo Lindley training a bird dg using the Gibbons-West method
The Gibbons-West Method of Pointing Dog Training with Mo Lindley

Understanding the Gibbons-West method of training pointing dogs As a first-time bird dog owner and…

a women handles a bird dog
Cooperation in a Dog Fails at the Handler Level

Cooperation is a foundation of a dog’s success, but the failures lie in a handler’s…

A bird dog wearing an e-collar while hunting
Introducing a Dog to an E-Collar – A Guide to Collar Conditioning

Learn about properly introducing a dog to an e-collar and correct applications in training and…

A spinone being trained using positive reinforcement
The Theory of Positive Reinforcement in Dog Training

From the foundation of operant conditioning to the idea of mistake avoidance through positive reinforcement…

A bird dog being tested during a NAVHDA Natural Ability test
NAVHDA Natural Ability Test – A Complete Overview

A look at what the NAVHDA natural ability test is and how it matters to…

A pointer on whoa in a steady point.
The Evolution of Whoa Training Bird Dogs

Dog trainer Jason Carter takes a look at the historic context of whoa training and…

A dog trainer uses the whoa command on his American Brittany
Weaving Whoa Training Into Our Daily Routines

Incorporating and perfecting the whoa command with your bird dog during everyday life If I…