The LabsnDucks Theorem includes 3 reality checks you cannot avoid.

Realty check #1 – How good is good enough?

A question only you can answer

That’s a tough one if you haven’t done much hunting with a dog because you do not yet know the full ramifications if your dog…

• thinks he’s an independent entrepreneur
• doesn’t sit on a whistle
• doesn’t reliably take hand signals
• doesn’t behave in the blind
• doesn’t trust you
• doesn’t take a line
• isn’t steady and breaks on birds
• isn’t force fetch trained
• isn’t ecollar conditioned
• is fat and out of shape
• is gun shy
• and all kinds of other frustrating stuff   

To objectively answer “how good is good enough,” you must first understand what you gain by teaching your dog more, and what you lose by teaching your dog less. And that involves your time, your energy, your patience, your money, and most importantly your thoughtful answer.

 

Realty check #2  – Control is your single most gotta-achieve goal

Simply put, how well you control your dog will determine the success of your training and hunting, and the amount of frustration you will force yourself to endure. To achieve even a minimal level of successful training and quality duck hunting you have to be able to control your dog…

• at your side
• 10 yards away
• 100 yards away
• in marsh grass
• in willow bushes
• in water
• from across a river or creek
• in a boat
• in a canoe
• in a duck blind
• in flooded timber       
• over here and over there

Control Warning !!!

Your lab has three distinct advantages over you. The first, is your family who thinks you are mean for wanting to control the family pet. The second two advantages are those Labrador retriever big, engulfing, how-could-you-ever-be-angry-with-me brown eyes. Don’t fall victim to any of them!!!

 

Realty check #3 – You are the Silver Bullet

Misfire at your own peril

I have often been asked, “Should I send my gun dog to obedience school?” My unequivocal answer is NO. If you don’t have the time or inclination to teach your dog basic obedience then you are not going to have success teaching him how to hunt. Your dog should learn as much as possible (and especially obedience) directly from you. Even when a pro trains your dog full time or you work with a ProCoach, you always play a major AND ongoing role. If you are not committed to learn what you need to learn and to invest enough time training your dog every step of the way, then your answer to “How good is good enough?” has been made; and it’s not too good.

LabsnDucks