I don't have the luxury of being able to use live domestic birds for training. Nor does anyone I know. But I still have managed to get all my pups retrieving and hunting well at amazing early ages (three to five months). I'm not too fussy and I'm patient about ironing out one issue at a time. Some pups have been good at retrieving to hand and some not so. Eventually, after dealing with a few rowdy wounded birds, they'll get the hang of it. I try to focus on completing one thing well and move on to the next challenge as Mike indicated. As you probably recall, I have been a bit sloppy about the dogs breaking when I shoot, but I've never been too strict about that as long as they will break it off and return when called. Anyway, I have found that as they get more mature my dogs have naturally tended to stop breaking after a shot unless the bird drops. Bottom line is I'm not particularly interested in having a robot field trial hunting dog. I can tolerate some minor indiscretions if the dog is having a good time and we don't lose any birds. And finally, I do not believe that a pup should be kept from the field until it's completely "trained." Get them to work as soon as it's safe to do so and work out the problems by trial and error on the job.

I have to agree with Snell's tip. Got burned on that one.

Ontario-- I'm with you on getting out into the field, as evidence by the fact that Pritch and I plan to be in a duck swamp this weekend. -D

No,I mean to say I wish I had just ONE.If I were to share one[two]. That would be when the oldest brit was 5 months,I was working on a natural retiever.I could throw anything and he would bring it back to hand.Until one careless throw over the tall grass and into the retention pond.He was ahead of me and moving fast,he broke through the grass and was into that cold December water.That was the last day he ever put anything in my hand and It has taken three years for him to take to the water on his own.

I wish I had one.

Robert, That's a very telling story. Nearly had the same thing happen to me when Pritch took a dunking in a backyard pool at night (thankfully it was warm...Was worried sick she'd be afraid of water but a few weeks later I introduced her the proper way and she took to it like a fish. But you never know. Thanks for sharing...here's what happened to me.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/hunting/2009/06/video-getting-pup-ta...

Here in NW Ontario it was -22 C yesterday afternoon WITHOUT the windchill. And it was blowing a bit. I'm still walking the dogs every day a mile or two but it's tough. Doesn't bother them.

I paid $50 for this dog and three months ago he didnt know how to swim. Would put his head down and go just kinda sat there and dog paddled. But he has learned that swimming is fun!

Our temp.just dropped from 60 one day last week to -11 for the low without the wind chill.Training will slow a little but want to get the dog conditioned to the cold first dont want no muscles pulled.One of my more memorable hunts was a rooster on the last day in the snow on a very chilly day but that was another springer of mine many years ago.We still train at least three days a week at this time.Still hope to get in ruffed grouse and rabbit.My dog is still just over one year not too much older than Pritch I want training and hunting to be a good experience not him wanting to get out of the cold dont want no mistakes made want to duck hunt next year with him my team.The goal this year was to set the foundation,formal field training,knowing all voice,wistle,and hand commands.I wanted to be able to hunt shoot the fowl and have the pup retrieve and we have made it and then some.I will need help from you duck hunters for next season.