As bird dog owners, we spend so much time and energy searching for the right puppy, developing that dog, and then progressing through the first year of training, all so that we can at last get into the hunting field alongside them. Often, though, once we consider the dog “trained,” we tend to kick into cruise control; after all, once we can actively get out hunting with our bird dog, the work of training is complete, right?

In reality, training should be an ongoing part of the dog’s life. We love dogs, and we love working with them, because they are not programmable like robots. They are living, breathing, changing individuals, creatures that are, like all living things, imperfect. As such, they get rusty and out of shape when skills and activities aren’t practiced. Any individual’s performance (be that individual a dog or a human) is directly correlated to that individual’s current health and mindset. Over the life of the bird dog (and the life of the trainer), maintenance, care, and proper prep work is required to achieve maximum performance every season—and every day. Dog training is not a “set-it-and-forget-it” scenario.

Physically Preparing a Pointing Dog for Hunting Season

None of us would expect to run a marathon without adequate preparation. Nutrition, overall health, and physical conditioning are top of mind when we prepare for any type of strenuous activity. The same is true for our bird dogs.

High-quality feed fed year-round is first on the list of canine requisites, as great nutrition lays the foundation of a dog’s performance. At Smith Kennels, we feed Purina Pro Plan Performance to our sporting dogs. The concentrated nutrition in this formula helps increase a dog’s endurance level by optimizing oxygen metabolism (VO2 MAX). The higher a dog’s VO2 Max level, the more effectively they can utilize the oxygen in their bodies, thus increasing endurance. A dog’s energy source is fat, not carbs, and Pro Plan is designed to meet the energy needs of hardworking performance dogs. It is 30 percent protein and 20 percent fat, an optimal ratio for fueling the dog’s metabolic needs and promoting lean muscle growth.

We also monitor how long it takes for the dog to consume a healthy meal. We work to shape our dog’s eating habits so that they can eat the requisite amount of feed in a reasonable amount of time—say less than 15 minutes. We don’t encourage people to allow their dogs to “graze” or “free feed” continuously during the day. When a dog is performing on a hunt, they do not have all day to eat; not being in the habit of eating a full meal in one sitting will negatively impact their health and performance during the hunt. The dog that is in the habit of grazing will not be able to take in enough calories to nourish their body during those times.

Physical activity is critical for building lean muscle and stamina, as well. Dogs in pre-season training may be involved in a program of running, roading, or even swimming as a means of getting into hunting shape. As is the case with any endurance athlete, these workouts help grow lean muscle while also increasing cardiovascular fitness.

As we engage in training, grooming is another factor we take into consideration, with hair, ears, and toenails being the big three grooming requirements we monitor. A dog that doesn’t have a double coat, such as a Brittany or setter, can be sheared to give them enhanced ability to shed heat during warm days—thereby extending their endurance. Ear infections can cause dogs to have heightened sensitivity to loud sounds, and it is a good idea to routinely check the ears for signs of irritation. If you hear your dog’s toenails click as they walk across a hard surface, it is an indicator they may be overgrown. Long toenails place added pressure on the joints of the feet during activity, and overgrown nails are more prone to being caught or broken. If your dog has dewclaws, be sure to check those as well; something as simple as a broken toenail can put a real damper on a hunt.

Training a Pointing Dog to Prepare for Hunting

At Smith Kennels, we believe that the Core Bird Dog Behaviors all pointing dogs need to know are how to “go with you,” “come to you,” and “stand still.” 
“Go with you” translates to all of the times a pointing dog is supposed to pay attention to your movement, moving along with you at varying distances. A pointing dog might “go with you” by walking beside you in a mannerly fashion on a lead or in an off-lead heel; when that same dog is ranging out in the hunting field, they may “go with you” by keying in on your direction of travel and making the decision to hunt with you rather than on their own. A “go with you” mindset can be established/re-established by practicing a good heel, getting the dog to pay attention to the handler, and mirroring the handler’s pace and movements. As the dog is turned loose, the same concept holds true—just at a distance. If the handler turns left and presents a new front for the dog, the dog should move in that direction as well. This practice forms the basis of having a dog go with us in the field.

The Core Behavior of “come to you” is a recall. All pointing dogs need to have a solid recall, so that a handler can call them in for water, put them in the truck, or get them out of danger. The recall is also the foundation for the retrieve, and we always work on building a solid recall before we can begin working on a consistent retrieve.

The most difficult behavior for owners and pointing dogs to practice is often the “stand still” behavior. The ability to stand still helps a dog gain composure, but it is also a factor during bird work, as dogs that are capable of standing still in moments of excitement are more likely to hold a steady point, or back without much management from their handler.

Having a dog practice standing still in moments of excitement pays dividends when that dog is in the hunting field or asked to stay steady during bird work.

Incorporating the Core Bird Dog Behaviors into a dog’s daily routine helps them maintain that compliant mindset when they go hunting. If you don’t have to think about how to get your dog to recall, handle, or stand still in any environment, your timing is going to be more effective in the field. The same is true for the dog: if the behavior is so habitual for your dog that he does not have to think about it when asked, then the dog will be much more proficient in the hunting field with the added excitement and stimulation of birds and gunfire. Behavior at home directly correlates to behavior in the field.

Keeping Pointing Dogs Focused on Birds

It takes a focused dog to find birds. Training creates manners and gives the handler the ability to effectively manage the dog’s performance during a hunt, but the focus of the dog determines how effective the dog is as a hunter. There is an art to balancing focus and manners so that a bird dog in the field has the most productive mindset.

A dog that is in a “running” mindset will not find the same number of birds as a dog that is focused on working scent and bird-finding. No matter what a dog’s previous hunting experience is, if they are not intent on working scent to locate game, they are more likely to run by birds without being aware of them. Focus is created by getting a dog in the field and exposing that dog to birds. A dog that finished up the winter as a focused top producer may not have the same mindset when fall rolls around. To prepare any dog for a hunt, we always suggest providing plenty of workouts with good bird contacts, so they can get in a productive, focused state of mind again before the hunt. The goal is to have the dog thinking about and actively searching for birds as soon as they are turned loose in the field.

As is the case with people, a dog’s current mindset, established habits, and experience determine success. Preparation that concentrates on a dog’s physical condition, proficiency with Core Bird Dog Behaviors, and mindset will set the dog up for success, keep the dog safer and more productive in the field, and ultimately create a more enjoyable hunting experience for all involved.