Everyday Training: Cody Weis Shares How to Build and Maintain Your Dog’s Skills

CGA member and ambassador Cody Weis exemplifies what Cornerstone Gundog Academy stands for - training with excellence and commitment. Cody’s dedication to building on what his dogs, Sage and Honey, already know and helping them reach their full potential shows that every hunter deserves a dog they can be proud of, both in the field and at home.

Today, Cody is sharing four practical ways to use everyday scenarios to build and maintain your dog’s training.

1. Steadiness

Meal times are perfect opportunities to practice steadiness. Before feeding your dog, have her stay in the kennel, sit, or remain at her designated place while you put her food bowl down. Only when you release her by name can she enjoy her meal. If she lunges for the bowl before being released, simply lift the bowl away and reinforce the command, encouraging her to return to the position before you give the release signal.

2. Eye Contact

Encouraging eye contact before meals or during release for free play helps build focus and attention. These simple exercises can make a significant difference, improving eye contact during training sessions and ensuring your dog is attentive in the field.

3. Extended Place

You can practice the extended place during almost any daily activity. This skill is crucial for those days when the birds are scarce and patience is required. It’s also useful when you have guests over, helping your dog stay calm and composed even with distractions around.

4. Heel

Before any exciting activity, practice having your dog heel. This teaches your dog that obedience is the key to getting what she wants. Whether you’re heading out for a walk, preparing for a training session, or simply transitioning from one activity to another, using these moments to reinforce heel can instill the importance of self-control and attentiveness.

Start with the Basics

While these everyday exercises are effective, it's essential to first teach your dog how to learn and introduce these skills in a controlled environment. This foundational training ensures your dog understands what is expected before applying these commands in various scenarios.

Check out the course Cody used to introduce and reinforce these skills.

Follow Along with Cody, Sage, and Honey

Stay connected with Cody and his dogs, Sage and Honey, by following their journey on Instagram and TikTok. See how these everyday training techniques come to life and get inspired to take your dog’s training to the next level.