Crate Training and Housebreaking Your New Puppy

One of the first things you’ll want to do with your new pup is to begin crate training and housebreaking. These steps are crucial for successfully integrating your pup into the home while laying the foundation for a well-behaved gun dog. These early principles are essential for your pup’s long-term success.

Crate training a new puppy can quickly become a nightmare if not done correctly. But don't worry—we’ve created a Step-by-Step Crate Training & Housebreaking Guide that you can download and follow. This guide will walk you through this process, helping you avoid common pitfalls and ensuring a smoother experience.

In this post, we’ll cover a few key focus points to make crate training and housebreaking as effective as possible:

• Why Crate Size Is Key and Why You Should Consider Keeping Your Pup in a Crate
• How You Handle Accidents Determines How Quickly the Process Will Go
• Food and Water...

How to Make Your New Puppy’s First Day a Success

If you’re anything like me, picking up a new puppy is a day full of excitement and joy for the entire family. It’s a special moment, and with a little preparation, you can ensure the transition into your home goes as smoothly as possible. So, what do you need for a new puppy?

We've put together a list of new puppy supplies and things to know that will help you when preparing for your new puppy. Here’s a guide to the new puppy essentials and tips for a stress-free puppy pick-up day.

Essential Supplies for Puppy Pick-Up Day

1. Enzyme Cleaner (e.g., Nature’s Miracle Urine Destroyer)

Accidents happen, especially with a new puppy. An enzyme cleaner not only removes stains but also eliminates odor-causing enzymes that can lead to repeat accidents. This is a must-have for keeping your home clean from day one.

2. Paper Towels and Household Cleaner

Be prepared for any messes that might occur during the ride...

How to Pick the Right Puppy From The Litter

When you're in the market for buying a puppy, it can be overwhelming. If you’re like most, you've probably spent countless hours watching videos, researching good breeders, and daydreaming about the hunting adventures you’ll share with your future dog.

You’re also likely thinking about how to pick the best puppy for you. If so, you’re on the right track. The first step in finding your perfect puppy is choosing the right breeder. If you haven't done that yet, be sure to read our blog post on The First Steps to an Incredible Hunting Dog: Choosing the Right Breeder.

Once you’ve found a breeder, the journey to picking your puppy begins.

How Do You Pick the Right Puppy?

Knowing how to pick a good puppy from a litter versus knowing how to pick the best puppy from a litter isn’t an exact science. There are several things to consider that can stack the odds in your favor:

• Picking the Litter
• Color
• Sex: Male...

The first step in raising an exceptional hunting dog starts with choosing a responsible breeder. Savvy puppy buyers get this step right, and avoid many of the pitfalls that come with selecting a puppy.

At any given point, the American Kennel Club has thousands of registered litters ready to go. With this many choices, it could be easy to make a mistake when selecting a dog breeder. Not every AKC-registered litter is suitable for your goals, so it's essential to learn how to select the right breeder that is a good fit for you.

How to Choose a Good Breeder

When deciding how to find a reputable dog breeder, consider these essential factors:

• Establish a Budget
• Look Up Reputation/Reviews
• Gauge Responsiveness
• Ask About Facilities
• Get Proof of Health Testing
• Research Bloodlines

Let’s break these down.

1. Establish a Budget

Starting with a budget helps narrow down your options. Hunting dogs' prices vary widely, typically ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $3,000. There are...

Training a hunting dog is a journey filled with ups and downs. At some point, you may hit what feels like a wall. Your progress might seem to stall, or you may even feel like you’re taking steps backward.

You could be off to a fantastic start, with everything going well, and then suddenly, things take a turn. You might feel like you’re not doing as well, leading to frustration. This frustration can compound, slowing your progress and possibly leading to poor decisions as a handler.

Frustration can be your worst enemy. Your pup will pick up on your negative emotions and respond accordingly, which can further hinder your training.

But here’s the good news: what feels like a wall isn’t always one. Sometimes, it’s just part of the training process. To help you navigate these tough moments, I’ve outlined two simple steps:

1. Understand Progress

Progress isn’t always visible. It’s often intangible, meaning you can’t always see it...

How to Train a Steady Retriever

You want a retriever that waits patiently, eyes locked in anticipation until you release it for the retrieve. You’ve invested time in training your duck hunting dog, and you’re eager to see it reach its full potential. Many hunters get a retriever that breaks. The dog rushes ahead without waiting for a command. This happens because the hunters did not spend enough time on training for steadiness.

Steadiness isn’t just a skill; it’s a mindset that requires continuous reinforcement, even as your dog matures. If you’re worried that your puppy’s natural exuberance will lead to breaking, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to settle for a dog that breaks.

At CGA, we understand how important a steady retriever is to your success in the field. Whether you’re unsure how to train for steadiness or just need guidance on retriever training, we’ve got a simple plan that will set you and your dog up for...

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why isn’t my retriever listening like it used to?” or “What happened to my dog’s obedience?” you’re not alone. Many dog owners experience a frustrating shift in their dog's behavior after a period of successful training. But don’t worry—there’s a way to address this issue and get back on track.

Understanding why this happens can help you respond effectively. Here are two common reasons for a drop in obedience and how you can handle them:

1. Your Puppy Has Reached a Developmental Stage

Around six months of age, puppies often hit a stage where they become more exploratory. They might start testing boundaries, distracted by new sights, sounds, and smells. This phase can seem like a setback, but it’s a natural part of your puppy’s development.

What to Do:

• Patience is Key: Recognize that this stage is temporary. Use it as an opportunity to reinforce training rather than getting...

Does your dog’s excitement ever lead to unwanted behavior? When a dog jumps and bites out of excitement, it can be unsettling for friends and family. If you’re starting with a new puppy, it's essential to instill calmness from the beginning. You want your loved ones to enjoy your dog as much as you do.

Some dogs are naturally energetic and excitable, which can be compounded by habits that get reinforced over time. Your puppy’s boundless energy is crucial to address early on.

If you’re dealing with a new puppy, it's best to start implementing these strategies as soon as you bring your pup home. For those with older dogs, retraining will require more persistence, but it’s achievable with determination.

How to Encourage Calm Behavior

1. Set Clear Boundaries

From the start, only allow behaviors you find acceptable. Picture your dog fully grown—would you be okay with the same behaviors if your pup were 50-90 pounds? If not, don’t tolerate them...

How to Stop My Dog From Playing Keep Away

Imagine this: You send your dog on a retrieve, and it bolts out enthusiastically, grabs the bumper perfectly, and starts heading back. But then—just as you're feeling proud—your pup looks at you, then turns away, or worse, starts doing a victory lap around the yard.

Frustrating, right?

So, what do you do when this happens? Better yet, how do you prevent it from happening in the first place?

In this post, we will look at how to stop this common behavior during training. We will also discuss what to do if your dog has already formed this habit.

Prevention Is Key

Prevention is always better than having to correct a behavior later. The groundwork for a solid retrieve starts as soon as you bring your puppy home. Teaching the right habits early on makes all future training sessions smoother.

Here are some crucial tips to prevent your dog from running away or taking victory laps:

1. Don’t Overdo It with Retrieves

It might...

How Often Should I Train My Dog?

Have you ever wondered if you’re getting the most out of your dog training time? If so, congratulations—you're already ahead of the game. If not, keep reading because you may find that you need little time to achieve great results.

The duration and structure of your training sessions are crucial. If a session is too long, your dog might lose focus, leading to diminished results. Too short, and you’re not maximizing the opportunity to make progress.

Understanding how long to train your dog is crucial. So, how do you strike the right balance?

Training Tips for Different Ages and Experience Levels

A 12-week-old puppy and a 2-year-old dog have different attention spans. Young puppies, for instance, can only fully focus for about 5 minutes. Beyond that, their attention begins to wane, and the effectiveness of your training drops.

For Puppies:

When working with a young puppy, it's best to keep sessions short but frequent. Multiple...