As retriever owners, we all dream of a dog with a natural, unstoppable drive to retrieve. It's one of the first things we test when we bring home a future hunting companion—does this pup have what it takes to retrieve in the field? But what happens when your dog seems uninterested in retrieving? It can be disheartening and leave you wondering, “Will my dog ever turn out?”

Whether your pup is seven weeks or seven months old, there may be times when it loses interest in retrieving. For a dog owner planning to hunt, this can be a significant concern. After all, if your retriever isn’t retrieving, what’s the plan?

But don’t worry—there are ways to bring out your dog’s natural retrieving drive, helping it reach its full potential.

1. Have Fun and Worry Less

It’s common for puppies to go through phases where their retrieving drive fluctuates. Some puppies start strong, only to lose interest around the five to six-month mark. During...

Lining is one of the most critical skills a retriever can develop. Whether you’re hunting in marshes or dry fields, a dog that can consistently take straight lines will lead to faster and more efficient retrieves.

There are many lining drills you can practice, but here are three simple and effective drills you can start with right now to improve your dog’s lining abilities.

1. Lining Memories

The Lining Memory is one of the simplest yet most effective drills you can run. They are versatile and can be adapted to various terrains, making them an essential part of your training routine.

To perform a lining memory drill:

• Choose a start point and an endpoint.
• Walk in a straight line with your dog at heel.
• Upon reaching the endpoint, stop, throw out a bumper, and then return to the start point with your dog still at heel.
• Ensure your dog is properly lined up (as outlined in our online courses), then send it on the retrieve.

Your dog should run straight to the bumper and...

If you've spent any time around retriever training, you've probably heard about a "blind retrieve." But what exactly does that mean?

What is a Blind Retrieve?

A blind retrieve refers to a scenario where your dog retrieves a bird or bumper it hasn't seen fall. In other words, the dog is "blind" to the exact location of the downed item and must rely on you to guide it.

At the heart of a successful blind retrieve is trust—trust that’s developed over months of consistent training and bonding.

The Three Core Foundations of Blind Retrieve Success

To excel in blind retrieves, your retriever needs three key qualities:

• Trust between you and your dog
• Confidence in taking the correct line
• A strong relationship built through consistent training

These traits take time to develop, but with patience and perseverance, they will become the cornerstone of your retriever's performance.

Fortunately, our online courses are specifically designed to integrate these principles into your daily...

In training your dog, there’s one inevitable thing: corrections.

Corrections are essential for shaping your dog into the companion you want it to be. They help you communicate with your dog when it’s done something wrong. And in dog training, communication is everything.

But how do you correct your dog the right way?

It all starts with understanding the value and importance of a well-executed correction. A poorly applied correction can set you back and even harm your dog’s development. On the other hand, a well-timed and appropriate correction can propel your dog forward in training and enhance its overall growth.

How to Correct Your Dog for Productive Training

To make your corrections productive, you need to grasp a few key concepts:

• Why Correct Your Dog?
• When to Correct Your Dog?
• How to Correct Your Dog?

Why Correct Your Dog?

Simply put, we correct our dogs because their actions aren’t aligned with what we expect. For your dog to fulfill its role...

As hunting season approaches, many of us start to imagine those crisp, cold mornings spent in the blind. But then reality hits—you realize that the season is almost here! For some, the early season has already begun, while for others, the main hunting season is just a few weeks away.

So, what about your dog? It’s crunch time! You need to get your retriever ready for opening day. But in the rush to prepare, there's one critical detail many overlook: the heat.

The Dangers of Heat Stroke

This time of year, heat stroke is a constant threat to your dog’s safety. Overheating can happen in an instant, and if it escalates to heat stroke, it can be life-threatening.

Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep your dog safe during training in hot weather.

Signs of an Overheating Retriever

1. Excessive Panting: If your dog is panting much more than usual, with its tongue hanging completely out, this is a sign that your dog is overheating. Get your dog into the shade...

When and How to Introduce Your Dog to Birds

Two of the most common questions we get at Cornerstone are:

• When should I introduce my hunting dog to birds?
• How should I introduce my hunting dog to birds?

Introducing your dog to birds properly and at the right time is vital because it will significantly influence your retriever’s development.

When Should I Introduce My Dog to Birds?

It’s natural to be eager to introduce your puppy to birds, but it’s crucial to consider the potential outcomes. Your goal is to develop your pup into the best hunting retriever possible, and timing plays a substantial role in that.

While you could introduce your dog to birds at a young age, it might not yield the full benefit of bird introduction. For instance, a young dog or puppy might drag a heavy bird around or even chew it like a toy, which isn’t the behavior you want to encourage.

Instead, there are more beneficial activities you can focus on that will set your pup up for...

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...

Top 3 Retrieving Mistakes to Avoid in Your Puppy’s Training

Training your hunting puppy to become an exceptional hunting retriever is an exciting journey, but it’s easy to stumble into common pitfalls along the way. These mistakes can slow down progress and lead to frustration. Understanding and avoiding them will set you up for success from the start.

Before we dive into these key mistakes, make sure to check out the other posts on how to train a duck dog puppy in this series here.

The Top Three Retrieving Mistakes to Avoid

1. Too Much Too Soon
2. Long Distance Isn’t Always Best
3. Missing the Small Details: Don’t Do It

Each of these mistakes is common among new puppy trainers. Read on to learn how to avoid them and keep your training on track.

1. Too Much Too Soon: The Pitfall of Over-Retrieving

What’s one of the first things we all do when we bring home a new retriever puppy? We start retrieving, of course! While it’s natural to be excited and...

Tackling Common Puppy Behavior Problems:

Barking, Biting, and Jumping

Training a puppy is an exciting journey, but it’s not without challenges. Three common issues many puppy owners face are barking, biting, and jumping. Often times these problems can happen at the same time, but how do you stop your puppy from jumping, biting, and barking?

Addressing these behaviors early on is crucial for a well-behaved and happy dog. Let’s dive into each issue and explore effective solutions.

1. Barking: Managing the Noise

A puppy’s bark is high-pitched, loud, and can quickly disrupt the peace in your home. You might be going through crate training and wondering how to get your puppy to stop barking in its crate. While barking is natural, it’s essential to manage it properly to prevent it from becoming a long-term issue.

How to Stop Your Puppy From Barking:

• Don’t Reinforce Barking: The most important rule is to avoid reinforcing or rewarding your pup for...

Bringing Your Puppy Home: Success from Day One

Congratulations! You’ve prepared for puppy pick-up day and have learned what to do when you first get your new puppy, but the real adventure begins when you bring your new pup home. This first introduction to your home is a golden opportunity to start your puppy off on the right paw. How you handle this transition will set the tone for your dog’s future training and behavior.

Three Key Areas to Focus On

1. Setting Expectations
2. Establishing a Routine
3. Transitioning from Litter to Family

Let’s dive into each of these crucial steps.

Setting Expectations: The Foundation of Success

Your expectations can make or break the early days with your new pup. It’s essential to have realistic expectations to ensure a smooth transition.

What Should You Expect?

Puppies are full of energy and curiosity. They’ll bite, bark, have potty accidents, and might even chew a few things they shouldn’t. This is all normal...