From Pup to Pro: Start with the End in Mind

Before your puppy arrives, it's crucial to determine your expectations for your dog after they reach two years of age. This decision should precede the training process, as it will lay the foundation for your dog's development.

While future posts will delve into the intricacies of training, we must first establish our goals and aspirations for our furry companion. Assuming you have chosen a Brittany, consider the following possibilities:

• A loyal companion pet.

• An occasional bird-hunting companion, primarily a family pet.

• A dedicated bird-hunting dog.

• An avid and passionate bird-hunting dog.

• An AKC Show Champion, AKC Master Hunter, AKC Field Champion, or AKC Dual Champion.

• A NAVHDA Prize I Invitational Test certificate holder.

• A well-rounded dog excelling in all of the above areas.

Clearly defining your goals and expectations will lay the groundwork for your training program. Considering what suits your lifestyle and circumstances will set you and your adult dog on the path to success. With a clear vision, you can embark on a rewarding journey with your canine companion, tailoring their training to align with your desired outcomes.

While everyone should determine what suits their unique situation best, my goals for the puppies I raise are as follows:

Within the home environment, the dog must exhibit impeccable manners:

• Command Obedience: A well-trained dog should respond promptly to basic commands such as WHOA, COME, KENNEL, LEAVE-IT (said as one word), HURRY (my command for potty), PLACE, HEEL, HUP (SIT), LAY (DOWN), OFF, and LOOK. This obedience is paramount for maintaining order and ensuring safety within the home.

• Door Discipline: The dog must never exit a door without being explicitly released (BREAK) or commanded (NAME).

• Visitor Etiquette: The dog should refrain from jumping on visitors and greet them politely instead.

• Meal Manners: At mealtime, the dog must wait patiently to be released at their food bowl (I release one dog at a time by their NAME).

• Lap Etiquette: The dog should ask and wait for permission before jumping into my lap.

• Potty Training: The dog should ring the doorbell (I recommend the Pebble Smart brand) once and wait to be let out or in.

• Affection and Relaxation: While the dog should enjoy receiving love and petting, they must also accept when it's time to settle down and relax.

• Appropriate Chewing: The dog should entertain themselves by chewing on designated toys and learning to avoid household items like furniture or shoes.

• Boundary Respect: Dogs should respect boundaries within the home, stay off furniture if not allowed, and avoid restricted areas like certain rooms or the kitchen during meal preparation. I want my dogs to gently knock on a bedroom door and wait to be let in or contentedly curl up outside the door if entry is not allowed.

• Companionship: The dog should follow me from room to room, as they desire my companionship.

• No Excessive Barking.

• Indoor Play: Indoor play should be gentle and controlled to prevent damage or injuries, as the dog understands the difference between outdoor roughhousing and more subdued indoor play.

• Social Behavior: Dogs should be socialized to behave well around other pets and family members, showing no signs of aggression or jealousy.

While in the field:

• Hunting Style: The dog exhibits a bold, independent and attractive hunting style, keen desire to hunt, and intelligent initiative to search likely cover, while remaining under my control at all times and handling kindly.

• Hunting Range: The dog hunts in front of me, ranging between the 10 and 2 o'clock positions, following my lead on where to go. They may work as close as 20 yards in dense, jumpy grouse thickets or as far out as 400 yards in an open quail field.

• Bird Finding: The dog's primary responsibility is to locate and point birds.

• Staunch Pointing: The dog must remain absolutely staunch on point, steady-to-wing-and-shot. The dog does not move until released for the retrieve. On a missed bird, the dog returns to the owner's side upon the "GONE AWAY" command and waits for the next instruction (I heel them in a new direction than the bird flew).

• Retrieving: The dog must retrieve on command and deliver the bird to hand.

• Honoring: The dog must honor any other dog on point, regardless of distance.

• Faultless Performance: The dog should not exhibit any faults such as blinking, bumping, circling, flagging, sitting, laying down, or unproductive points.

Teaching a dog to point staunchly, remain steady-to-wing-and-shot, and retrieve to hand requires extensive exposure to live birds. There is no way to produce a finished bird dog without investing in and working with a significant number of birds throughout the training process.

In summary, establishing clear goals before embarking on a training program for your dog is immensely beneficial and crucial. It provides a structured roadmap that guides your training endeavors, ensuring you and your canine companion clearly understand the desired outcomes. Well-defined goals serve as milestones to measure progress, maintain focus, and significantly enhance the effectiveness of the training process. Furthermore, having specific objectives in mind makes the training journey more enjoyable and fulfilling, fostering a deeper bond between you and your furry friend. This strategic approach ultimately cultivates a more harmonious and responsive relationship, elevating your dog's overall well-being, obedience, and desired behaviors. Setting clear expectations from the outset increases the likelihood of achieving success and creates an enriching experience for you and your four-legged companion.