If you’ve been around bird dogs any length of time, you’ve probably heard more than one piece of conflicting advice about training, handling, hunting, or bird dog behavior in general. It can be challenging to sift through these adages, separating archaic and inaccurate folklore from sayings that persist through time because they are simply time-tested and based in truth. Yet, to improve in any skill or craft we should always test these antiquated beliefs or assumptions in the light of new collective knowledge and insight.

So, from a bird dog trainer’s perspective, let’s analyze some of these old adages and why they persist. Are they tried and true, thus persisting entirely on merit, or are they just lingering relics of folklore that we should be able to set aside and move beyond?

Can Dogs be Stubborn and Rebellious?

As we at Smith Kennels train dogs for people across the country, we often hear some version of “that dog is stubborn” recited when people describe certain animals. Over generations of watching dogs and studying canine behavior, we have come to believe that dogs are not truly stubborn, and that this old adage is actually based on a misunderstanding of animals.

As dog trainers, we are always compelled to ask “Why?” You can’t fix a problem with a dog unless you know why the dog is exhibiting the behavior that needs fixing. The answer always lies within the dog, and how they perceive what is going on around them. Our first question to the owner who sees the behavior of his or her dog as indicative of stubbornness typically revolves around “Does the dog completely understand what you are asking?” and “Is the dog distracted by other stimuli when this behavior occurs?” It is our experience that behavior that is commonly viewed as “stubborn” actually indicates a dog’s lack of understanding of a cue, ineffective handling, or the presence of a high prey drive and a strong distraction. Dogs that are tuned in withtheir handler and have a clear understanding of the cues being given are rarely labeled as “stubborn” or “rebellious.”

We typically see success in changing this undesirable behavior by laying a solid training foundation for every cue and mentally engaging the dog to shift into a compliant, “learning state of mind.” We then practice implementing those cues in environments with increasing levels of distractions. During training, we always make sure that a cue initiates the appropriate response. Cues must mean the same thing to the dog every time to be effective, and the handler has to know how to implement and enforce those established cues. A behavior is fully learned when an animal will perform the desired behavior consistently in many different situations.

If we replace labels of “stubborn” and “rebellious,” with descriptors like “doesn’t understand,” “driven,” or “distracted,” we will not only be able to change how we interact with the dog, but we will change our general perception of that dog. No longer will we see the dog’s behavior as purposefully disobedient; rather we will see our actions as trainers requiring some attention.

Should Your Bird Dog Always be Hunting with You?

“The first half hour of the hunt is his,” after that, he settles down and we get to hunt too. This old adage is probably rooted in years gone by when training was pretty elementary and there was little control a handler could maintain over a high prey drive animal after he was turned loose. There was not much a handler could do at a distance when the dog flushed and chased birds over the horizon. For obvious reasons, lost dogs were more common in those years as well. Today, we have GPS collars that can help dogs stay safe when their impulse control goes on the fritz and can help us keep tabs on their location even when they disappear from sight. Considering collar technology and the advances in training that have taken place, there’s not much reason these days why a handler might lose complete control of his or her dog.

As trainers, we are constantly striving to help dogs maintain their composure in all circumstances, including those first exuberant moments of a hunt. We focus throughout the year on teaching dogs to be calm in the kennel or dog box so that when they arrive at the beginning of a hunt they are physically and mentally ready to focus and give their all. A dog that gets overly excited in the box will not remember his name, much less his manners on game, when turned out to hunt. It is up to the handler to ensure that the dog is calm before he is turned loose. Sometimes just a quick reminder to stand quietly at the gate before being let out is enough for the dog to self-compose. Sometimes it takes that pause moment plus some heeling and whoa exercises to get the dog settled into a calm mental state. Each dog has a composure recipe that works for him; once you find that recipe, you can employ it before the hunt and then turn loose a calm, composed animal.

With a solid foundation in place and training that allows you to use a remote cue of an e-collar to communicate, you can continue to manage your dog’s mindset at a distance. The collar may help the handler enforce or amplify handling cues that will get the dog focused on “going with” the hunters. The collar may help the handler enforce a stop the flush or stop the chase. We encourage everyone to learn about their dog and figure out what areas the dog needs help in. From there it is incumbent upon the handler to serve as that canine guide in the field.

A composed, compliant dog is less likely to get hurt or lost and is much less likely to ruin a hunt for all parties involved. Hunting time is precious; don’t give away that first half hour in hopes that the dog wears himself out and starts handling birds correctly. Instead, utilize the training that you have put in place to help your dog be his or her best self all of the time.

Should Bird Dogs Play with Squeaky Toys?

“Dong give your bird dog squeaky toys.” This familiar saying is pretty difficult to follow because the majority of toys on the market these days contain a squeaker. So, is it worth adhering to this old rule?

The basis behind this saying comes from the fact that a squeaker in a toy replicates the dying squeal of a prey animal. Predators (our dogs) love squeaky toys because their innate primal instincts kick in when they play with that toy and get an audible response. That squeak or squeal is akin to the noise of a distressed and/or dying prey animal.

The assumption behind this adage is that if a dog chews on a squeaky toy to hear that distress noise, that dog will do the same thing to a bird it is supposed to retrieve in the field. Thus, squeaky toys can promote a hard mouth, which can be a problem for a hunting dog. For that reason, we have often heard the advice that one should never let a dog have a squeaky toy, as keeping squeaky toys away can help in pre-empting the source of a potential hard mouth.

However, are there times when a squeaky toy can be a good tool? You bet. If a pup is showing no inclination to retrieve, a squeaky toy may be the key that builds desire. Why? Again, because of the innate primal instinct that is sparked by sound. In the case of poor retrieve drive, a squeaky toy might be a tool to implement to your advantage.

So, maybe this adage should be modified, rather than wholly dismissed: “Be careful of squeaky toys, as they can promote hard-mouthed issues.”

Should You Teach a Pointing Dog to Sit

Sitting is a great tool that is often the first thing that many pet trainers and retriever trainers teach dogs. However, for a pointing dog, if a sit is so habitual that it becomes a default, it can present itself in the field. Convention has established that pointing dogs should not sit on game but should point instead.

So maybe the adage not to teach sit should be modified to something along the lines of “Never create a default that you don’t want to see in the field.” In keeping with that, having a pointing dog sit is okay, but should be balanced with times of requiring the same dog to stand still in a composed way (similar to the behavior you will expect of them in the field on game).

Constantly Re-Evaluate Your Training so You can Improve

In writing this, our goal is not to offend or attack anyone’s personal beliefs, or their approach to training bird dogs. However, we firmly believe that there is value in continually re-evaluating established beliefs to improve how we progress in our training methods. If we don’t all re-evaluate old concepts in the light of new knowledge and insight, our training and therefore our dogs are stuck at a static point with no hopes of improving, refining, or simply evolving.