North American Outdoorsman
    What's Hot

    Sandhill Cranes: Today’s Pterodactyl of the Sky

    June 3, 2023

    Plan Some Summer Fun with Your Dog

    June 3, 2023

    Where Memories Are Made

    June 3, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    North American OutdoorsmanNorth American Outdoorsman
    • Current Issue
    • Publications
      • North American Outdoorsman
      • North American Deer Hunter
      • North American Bowhunter
      • Crossbow Magazine
    • Authors
    • Partners
    • Newsletter
    Facebook Instagram YouTube
    SUBSCRIBE
    • Hunting
      1. Whitetail
      2. Bowhunting
      3. Big Game
      4. Stories
      5. How to Hunt
      6. View All

      15 Best Late-Season Deer Food Plots

      February 13, 2023

      Offseason Wintertime Whitetail Prep

      December 30, 2022

      Process your own deer

      October 21, 2022

      Spot-and-Stalk Whitetail Hunt with my Dad

      October 14, 2022

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      Process your own deer

      October 21, 2022

      Hunting Woodland Caribou: A Newfound Passion

      August 7, 2022

      Bow Birds

      April 1, 2022

      Fishing Hawaii

      December 7, 2022

      A Picture Perfect Hunt for Coulee Muley

      October 13, 2022

      Grizzly Hunt: Too Close for Comfort!

      October 4, 2022

      A Change of Heart — Let’s Hunt Elk

      October 3, 2022

      Where Memories Are Made

      June 3, 2023

      A Boy’s First Goose

      May 12, 2023

      A Bear Primer

      April 6, 2023

      For Goose Hunters, the Best Kind of Snowstorm

      February 19, 2023

      21 Rookie Coyote Hunting Mistakes to Avoid

      April 9, 2023

      Where to Shoot a Black Bear

      April 8, 2023

      Getting Back to the Basics of Turkey Calls

      February 17, 2023

      A Family Affair: Women and Family Range Days

      February 16, 2023

      Sandhill Cranes: Today’s Pterodactyl of the Sky

      June 3, 2023

      Where Memories Are Made

      June 3, 2023

      Sidearms for Hunters: What to Look For

      May 17, 2023

      Here’s Why You Should Become a Fishing or Hunting Mentor

      May 16, 2023
    • Fishing
      1. All Fishing
      2. Fly Fishing
      3. How to Fish
      4. View All

      Sisterhood on the Ice – Annual Ladies’ Ice Fishing Event

      May 24, 2023

      Here’s Why You Should Become a Fishing or Hunting Mentor

      May 16, 2023

      5 Best Tactics for Spring Bass Fishing

      April 29, 2023

      The Cast That Changes Everything—The Double Haul

      April 27, 2023

      How to Pick a Fly Box

      March 3, 2023

      Essential Equipment for Fly Fisherman

      December 20, 2022

      Fly Fishing: Backing, Leaders And Tippets – All You Need to Know

      August 9, 2022

      Lake Texoma: Queen of Inland Striper Fisheries

      March 6, 2023

      How to Pick a Fly Box

      March 3, 2023

      How to Make Winter Walleye Bite

      February 15, 2023

      Hooked! My Love of Ice Fishing for Lake Trout

      February 2, 2023

      Sisterhood on the Ice – Annual Ladies’ Ice Fishing Event

      May 24, 2023

      Here’s Why You Should Become a Fishing or Hunting Mentor

      May 16, 2023

      5 Best Tactics for Spring Bass Fishing

      April 29, 2023

      The Cast That Changes Everything—The Double Haul

      April 27, 2023
    • Gear
      1. Gear Reviews
      2. New Outdoor Gear
      3. View All

      New Garmin Handheld Dog Tracking and Training System – Alpha 300 series with TT25 and T 20 Collars

      May 12, 2023

      Pros and Cons of Every Turkey Shotgun Gauge

      April 6, 2023

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      B105 Kydex Belly Band Review

      August 15, 2022

      Garmin’s New Lineup of Outdoor Navigation Devices

      March 15, 2023

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      TRUE KNIVES SWIFT EDGE HUNT PROCESSING KIT

      December 27, 2022

      THAW’S HEATED SEAT PAD

      December 26, 2022

      Armed and Responsible: Handguns for Beginners

      June 3, 2023

      Sidearms for Hunters: What to Look For

      May 17, 2023

      New Garmin Handheld Dog Tracking and Training System – Alpha 300 series with TT25 and T 20 Collars

      May 12, 2023

      Best Handguns for Beginners

      May 4, 2023
    • Field to Table
      1. #eatwhatyoukill
      2. Recipes
      3. View All

      Venison Tacos on a Pellet Grill

      February 21, 2023

      Goose Recipes: Bacon Benedict with Duck Fat Hollandaise

      February 3, 2023

      Fish Stock – Jeff Benda

      May 26, 2022

      Salisbury Steak – Ky Loop

      May 24, 2022

      Goose Recipe: Szechuan Style

      April 16, 2023

      Wild Game Jambalaya Recipe

      April 6, 2023

      Venison Tacos on a Pellet Grill

      February 21, 2023

      Goose Recipes: Bacon Benedict with Duck Fat Hollandaise

      February 3, 2023

      Sandhill Cranes: Today’s Pterodactyl of the Sky

      June 3, 2023

      Plan Some Summer Fun with Your Dog

      June 3, 2023

      Where Memories Are Made

      June 3, 2023

      Armed and Responsible: Handguns for Beginners

      June 3, 2023
    • News
      1. Conservation
      2. Editorial
      3. Press Releases
      4. View All

      The NWTF & USDA Sign $50M Agreement to Fight Wildfire Crisis

      October 28, 2022

      Help the Yelp

      March 25, 2022

      Conservation Hunts For Spring Snow Geese

      February 6, 2022

      Tools and Equipment For Whitetail Habitat Management

      February 3, 2022

      Hooyman Joins Best Outdoor Discounts

      December 6, 2022

      Newly Approved IGFA World Records

      April 19, 2022

      USCCA Congratulates Georgia Governor for Signing Constitutional Carry Bill

      April 15, 2022

      The RCMP’s Secret Long-Gun Registry

      January 31, 2022

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      Hooyman Joins Best Outdoor Discounts

      December 6, 2022

      Exclusive Women’s Issue

      October 4, 2022

      Kimber Releases New 1911 RAPIDE, R7 Mako, and Limited-Edition Micro 9

      August 19, 2022

      Armed and Responsible: Sweetheart Grips, Significant Others and Self-Defense

      February 19, 2023

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      Hooyman Joins Best Outdoor Discounts

      December 6, 2022

      The NWTF & USDA Sign $50M Agreement to Fight Wildfire Crisis

      October 28, 2022
    • Book a Trip
      • Hunting Trips
      • Fishing Trips
    • Login
    North American Outdoorsman
    Home » All Articles » Finding Teachable Moments in Pup Training
    Uncategorized

    Finding Teachable Moments in Pup Training

    Scott HaugenBy Scott HaugenApril 12, 20235 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram Tumblr Email
    dog
    A well-trained dog will do anything to please you, including risking its life to do what it’s bred to do and what you’ve taught it to do.
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    One of the most important teaching tools a gun-dog owner has is his or her awareness. Being aware of your pup, what it is doing, what its eyes and body language are saying and being able to respond immediately to the situation in a positive or constructive fashion is important. It’s called recognizing a teachable moment, and it goes a long way in not only training your pup but in also making you a better trainer.

    A pup’s brain is like a sponge, so the optimal learning window is relatively brief at this time. Behavioral habits and socialization skills are built within the first four months. Once you have the basic commands down and the pup is responding to them, you can continue progressing in your training.

    For the first few months, keep training sessions short. Play a lot with your pup, both inside the house and outside. Get them into as many different environments as possible and have them around as many people as you can. Getting your eight- to 10-week-old pup around a half-dozen people a day—of all ages, sizes and ethnic backgrounds—is ideal. Avoid taking pups to dog parks, since you don’t want them coming into contact with dogs that may not be up-to-date on vaccinations or that may be overly aggressive at the sight of a puppy.

    While I’ll spend a few hours a day playing with a pup, my actual training time consists of only about six to eight minutes. That time is broken into three sessions. When I’m training, I want the pup’s full attention and I don’t teach it something unless I have that. Time is valuable, and so is consistency when it comes to formal training. You’re the boss and the one who should always be in control, so make sure the pup knows that.

    There’s a saying among many dog trainers that a cheap dog is an expensive dog to train, so keep that in mind when investing in a pup. What this means is that quality bloodlines are best when it comes to training hunting dogs. The more diluted the bloodline, the more stubborn, resistant and reluctant a pup can be to train. A dog’s lack of performance and willingness to please will quickly show on a hunt.

    trainer
    A trainer’s consistent communication and an even temperament are key to gaining a pup’s trust. This will help get the most out of your training sessions and optimize the dog’s overall performance.

    A lot of trainers will also tell you that before they even start training a dog, they spend a lot of time fixing it. This is because owners don’t spend time with their pups to build bonds and properly teach them the way they should. If the basic commands are not taught early, starting at seven or eight weeks of age, then it’s going to be challenging for anyone to teach restraint and disciplined commands as your pup grows.

    Persistence, patience and socialization are keys to getting your pup into a consistent learning mode. Spending time with a pup gets it bonding with you, and that’s a must in order to effectively teach it as a pup matures. The more time you spend with your pup, even playing or cuddling on the couch, the more you’ll learn about it.

    Watch your pup closely and get to know its behaviors as you continue teaching it. I never attempt to teach pups anything unless their eyes are on me and their ears are back or perked up. If their head is tilted slightly forward with their ears down, they are not focused on me. They are thinking of something else, like wanting food, wanting to run, or wanting to play with something in sight that may be distracting them. It’s up to you to get the pup’s full attention before trying to teach it anything. Trust your gut and react quickly to a dog’s immediate demeanor.

    Short, simple verbal commands and consistent eye contact is all it takes to get a pup to watch you closely. Stay positive with your facial expressions and voice, making the learning experience fun for the dog. Be careful not to get too negative or overbearing or the pup won’t respect you and will tune you out. That certainly won’t help it reach its optimal level of performance.

    pup
    A pup that is looking you in the eye with its ears laying back is focused and ready to learn. This is the teachable moment you’re looking for.

    By four months of age, pups are already reading your eyes, body language, voice inflection and facial cues. They know when you furrow your brows that they’ve done something wrong and could be in trouble. They can see a smile in your eyes, and their tails will start wagging and they’ll want to please you even more. They can read a smile and raised eyebrows, and know all is good. When a dog can predict your temperament, and you treat it well, it will be eager to please you. Then, it becomes easy to train during any teachable moment that arises.

    By being consistent and communicating with your dog, you’re on the way to gaining its trust and respect. Puppies are smart. They just have to be taught the basics at an early age. By maintaining a calm, positive approach, a consistent training schedule, and capitalizing on teachable moments, you’ll be shaping a hunting companion that will provide memories you’ll never forget.

    Note: To watch some puppy training tips, check out Scott Haugen’s series of short videos at www.scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott’s adventures, including those with his dogs, on Instagram.

    April 2023
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleHot Baits for Catching Cold-Water Bass
    Next Article Tips for Taking Early-Season, Shallow-Water Walleye
    Avatar photo
    Scott Haugen
    • Website

    Scott Haugen is one of North America’s most accomplished outdoor writers. With 17 book titles, more than 3,500 articles, and over 12,000 photos having been published in hunting and fishing magazines around the world, Haugen has been writing full time for over 20 years. The former host of over 450 TV shows, his programs appeared on many major networks, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, ESPN, Outdoor Channel, and more, in over 50 countries. A former high school science teacher with a masters degree and specializing in biology, Haugen spends more than 250 days afield hunting, fishing and photographing wildlife. Scott Haugen Host: The Hunt www.scotthaugen.com Columnist: Wildfowl, American Waterfowler, Hunt Alaska, Alaska Sporting Journal, American Shooting Journal, NW Sportsman, CA Sportsman, Salmon-Trout-Steelheader

    Related Posts

    5 Best Tactics for Spring Bass Fishing

    April 29, 2023

    How To Pick a Hunting Partner

    April 28, 2023

    The Cast That Changes Everything—The Double Haul

    April 27, 2023

    Beginner’s Guide to Morel Mushroom Hunting

    April 24, 2023

    Make Sure to Protect Your Hearing

    April 24, 2023

    Going Lead-Free in High-Performance Bullets

    April 21, 2023
    Don't Miss
    Featured

    Sandhill Cranes: Today’s Pterodactyl of the Sky

    June 3, 2023By Brad Fenson11 Mins Read

    It was warm for mid-October, and the still morning air was perfect for our sandhill…

    Plan Some Summer Fun with Your Dog

    June 3, 2023

    Where Memories Are Made

    June 3, 2023

    Armed and Responsible: Handguns for Beginners

    June 3, 2023

    Subscribe to Updates

    Be the first to know about new issues, premium industry gear discounts, access to exclusive content, & more!

    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    about
    NAO is the window into the outside environment for readers pursuing their passions in hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing/kayaking, rock climbing, and all pursuits in the outdoors on the North American continent. We will present stories, tips and techniques to be a better outdoorsman, and be completely at home in the outdoor environment for a day, week, or a lifetime.
    Recent Articles
    • Sandhill Cranes: Today’s Pterodactyl of the Sky
    • Plan Some Summer Fun with Your Dog
    • Where Memories Are Made
    • Armed and Responsible: Handguns for Beginners
    • Sisterhood on the Ice – Annual Ladies’ Ice Fishing Event
    Quick Links
    • Current Issue
    • Authors
    • Partners
    • Advertise With Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    Useful Tools
    • Join Our Newsletter
    • Save On Gear
    • Hunting Resources
    • Where to Hunt
    • Where to Shoot
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    © 2023 Outdoor Specialty Media. Designed by Crossroads Marketing.
    • North American Outdoorsman
    • North American Deer Hunter
    • North American Bowhunter
    • Crossbow Magazine

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.