How To Train A Lab To Hunt

Need to know how to train a lab to hunt? Training your lab to hunt will take patience and guidance. Labrador Retrievers, or labs as they are commonly called, have exceptional intelligence and are a gentle breed of dog. Their ability to learn quickly makes the lab one of the most popular dogs to use when hunting. For those who enjoy to hunt water fowl, a lab will be an asset to your hunting experience.  

To train your lab to hunt, you will need:

• Water fowl dummies
• Water fowl scent

1. Teaching your dog the basic commands from an early age is very important. "Sit" and "stay" are the most important commands you will need to teach your dog. The lab will need to learn to sit in place until the time has come to retrieve the water fowl.
2. Getting the dog used to water early is important. If you start getting your dog used to water from the time the dog is a puppy, you want to start with shallow water, such as a child’s wading pool. Once the dog is adjusted to water, you will want to move on to larger sources of water, such as lakes.
3. Train your dog not to be bothered by a gun. The dog should get used to hearing the sounds of a gun prior to trying to take your dog into the field to hunt. When you go target practicing, just bring your dog along so the dog can get used to the sound.
4. Teach your dog to retrieve water fowl. This is a very simple step. You will need to apply the water fowl scent to the water fowl dummy. Toss the water fowl at short distances first and have your lab fetch the water fowl. As your lab masters short distances, increase the distance of the water fowl toss. Start in grassy areas, then move on to tossing the water fowl dummy into the water to have your lab wade out and retrieve the dummy.

Resources:

Ducks Unlimited