Choosing the Right Toys for Your Retriever Puppy

Once you bring your retriever puppy home, one of the first questions you'll have is, "What toys should I get?" If your pup is going to be a family companion, the options are endless. However, if you're planning to train your pup to become a skilled duck-hunting dog, the choice of toys requires a bit more thought.

Should You Give Your Pup Toys?

You may have noticed that puppies are like little piranhas, eager to bite everything in sight—including you! Your instinct might be to divert that energy toward toys, but if you're serious about training your dog for hunting, you'll need to be more selective.

Toys aren’t inherently bad, but mishandling them can lead to bad habits that may show up in your dog's future training. Here's what to avoid:

Things to Avoid:

• Leaving your pup unattended with toys
• Playing tug-of-war
• Giving squeaky toys
• Letting your pup chew or throw toys around

By steering clear of these pitfalls, you're setting your pup up for success and avoiding behaviors that could hinder training later on.

What You Should Be Doing

1. Practice Simple Retrieves with Easy-to-Hold Objects

Training a retriever starts with the basics. Your pup won’t be performing like a seasoned hunting dog right away, so start small. For example, instead of using a large bumper that your puppy might struggle with, opt for a smaller bumper or even a rolled-up pair of socks. These are easier for your pup to grasp and will help establish good fetching habits early on.

Remember: Habits formed now will become behaviors exhibited in the future. Practicing good fundamentals is crucial to long-term success.

2. Reward Your Dog for Bringing Objects Back

Retrievers are born to retrieve, and your pup will naturally pick up things around the house—even items you might not want them to. Instead of getting frustrated when your pup grabs a shoe or remote, use it as an opportunity to reinforce positive behavior.

Reward your pup when they bring something back to you, even if it’s not something you intended them to pick up. This encourages them to continue retrieving, a key skill for a hunting dog.

Different rewards have different values. Food is often the highest-value reward for most puppies, but praise or petting will work too. The key is to positively reinforce the behavior you want to see more of.

3. Channel Excess Energy into Fun Exercises

Puppies are full of energy, and sometimes that energy can feel overwhelming. Instead of handing out toys to keep your pup occupied, channel that energy into productive exercises.

Simple retrieves with easy-to-hold objects are a great way to focus your pup’s energy. But be careful not to overdo it—too much retrieving can be counterproductive.

Another excellent exercise is a scent hunt. Scatter a few pieces of dog food in a small area and encourage your pup to "hunt it up." This not only keeps your pup physically active but also stimulates their natural hunting instincts.

Important Considerations

While all these activities are beneficial, remember that too much of a good thing can backfire. Keep training sessions short and fun. Your puppy’s attention span is limited, so it’s important to end on a positive note before they lose interest.

Let your puppy be a puppy—short, enjoyable sessions will yield the best results in the long run.

BuildFromHere,
Joshua Parvin

P.S. Want more tips to ensure your gundog puppy reaches its full potential? Check out our most important puppy training tips here.