Dog training : Retrievers and pointing dogs : How to train the hunting dog that you want

There is nothing more pleasing to an avid bird hunter than to watch a well-trained sporting dog do what it was bred to do: hunt. Likewise, there is nothing more pleasing to a pet owner than to watch their well-trained family dog interact in a calm and controlled manner with family and friends. With step-by-step instructions and detailed photographs and illustrations, this book provides proven information for achieving the best of both those worlds. Everything is discussed from choosing a sporting breed (retriever or pointer), to basic family-friendly obedience commands, to introducing the dog to the sound of a gun, competing in field trials and hunt tests, using an electronic collar, and keeping your sporting dog happy and healthy. It even covers how the nation's top trainers troubleshoot some of the more common problems faced in the field. There is nothing more pleasing to an avid bird hunter than to watch a well-trained sporting dog do what it was bred to do: hunt. Likewise, there is nothing more pleasing to a pet owner than to watch their well-trained family dog interact in a calm and controlled manner with family and friends.Author Jason Smith shows you how to have the best of both worlds. You'll learn how to choose the sporting breed (retriever or pointer) best suited for your needs, how to choose a breeder, and how to evaluate a litter and pick a puppy. Next, you'll see how to introduce the puppy to your home and family, and tips for housebreaking and teaching your dog the word "no." From there, you'll learn how to teach the young dog basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, heel, down, and kennel. Once the basics are mastered, you and your dog will progress to more advanced drills for learning the primary hunting skills, such as retrieving and pointing. You'll even learn how the nation's top trainers troubleshoot some of the more common problems you'll face in the field.The final chapters discuss the following topics: introducing your dog to the sound of a gun, competing in field trials and hunt tests, using an electronic collar, and keeping your sporting dog happy and healthy.' Most hunting dogs spend a lot of time around the home and with the family. So it's important that your new puppy is happy in both worlds. The breeder will help you choose a pup; then it's up to you to give your dog good basic obedience training along with hunting training. This book takes you through the steps to properly train your retriever or pointing dog with specific hunting instructions and exercises. More than 140 detailed photos will help you train your dog for hunting as well as living with the family. Provides information on training a retreiver or pointing dog for hunting, covering such topics as selecting a new puppy, training equipment, and health care, along with training exercises for both breeds of dog Dogs, like kids, can bring out all sorts of emotions in us as we train them for a specific task and raise them in our household as part of the family. Advise on choosing a pup, obedience training and hunting training for the dog that is both at home with family and hunting