Professional gun dog trainers are the single biggest reason we have so many outstanding hunting dogs.

Most pro trainers are also breeders and play a significant role in why we can choose from such outstanding pedigrees across the globe. If you want a first class, seldom slip-up retriever, contact a pro. If you want a complete brag dog, contact a pro. If you want a more than just serviceable retriever, contact a pro. If you can afford it, the only remaining question is, “What are you waiting for?”

But recall what I said earlier that most Ducks Unlimited members who own retrievers do not use the services of a professional trainer. That percentage is probably even higher for those who own dogs and are not members of DU.

Note that I am talking about full-time professionals here. By full time I mean someone who takes your dog to stay in his/her kennel for the duration of the training.

I am betting the primary reasons duck dog owners do not use pros are:

1. The amount of continuous time your dog has to spend with the trainer and the cost. A pro will want to keep your dog for at least a month, more typically three months straight. I call it bird camp! And I am not suggesting than just one month or three months at ‘bird camp’ will complete your dog’s training. Many of you don’t want to give up your dog for that long and you will certainly catch grief from the family who definitely does not want to give up the dog for that long. But that’s what working with a pro requires; especially if your dog hasn’t had any training on the things that are necessary to make him a good hunter. Not a good retriever; a good hunter.
2. Unfortunately, many dog owners have a “Ya, whatever” approach to training a retriever to be a duck hunting dog. I’m not criticizing, but it’s true. They typically don’t have a real understanding of what it takes, and certainly “It can’t be that hard.” Ouch!!!!

To really understand what you can gain from a professional you need to speak to a few and let them explain exactly what you can expect from their program and what they will expect of you. And speak to at least two because you will find that their programs vary and you need to be comfortable with them on a variety of levels. Inspect their kennels and watch them work a dog or two. Be mindful that they are going to bring their best dogs out for show and tell.

You also have to understand, and talk to your pro about, what you can expect from a three month long session. Your dog will NOT be a finished retriever after three just months. That’s impossible in any situation, but it may be good enough for you as a foundation.

When a pro asks you what you want from your dog, don’t just list three or four things. To accomplish those three or four things the dog still requires mastering all the basic disciplines so don’t naively guide your pro; let him or her direct you.

Understand that although they will take your dog for lengthy periods of time, they will train in relatively short sessions. No pro will train your dog all day long because no dog can handle that. If you think you require that kind of time to ‘get the most for your money,’ you are in the wrong mindset and need to consider alternatives.

Pros likely have several dogs to train at the same time so your dog does not get undivided attention except during his specified training time. They will work with your dog every day, maybe twice a day, but most likely not for more than one half hour at a time – an hour at a time would be pushing it. Any training session lasting over an hour and half will not produce positive results. I am not speaking for every pro and that’s why you need to personally speak to a few, but experience tells me that I am not far off.

Even if/when you train your dog by yourself, realize that a single training session of more than half an hour is often counterproductive.

Your dog will likely stay in a kennel while with the pro. Some trainers have strictly outdoor kennels; some have kennels where the dog can be outside or inside just by walking thru an opening. Some will bring your dog in the house, but don’t expect it. That doesn’t mean your dog won’t get ‘love and affection’ from the trainer but the dog is there for training, not hugs and kisses. That being said, ask the pro about socialization especially for dogs under a year old.

Do your research. If you can accept the process and the cost, you can expect a very well trained duck dog. Pros know their stuff.