Your thoughts on training a hunting dog yourself

[onthefly]

I say... To each his own. I've hunted with well-trained hunting retrievers and dogs from hunting lines that didn't have much training. This made me respect what a well-trained dog can add to the experience - almost as valuable (to me) as a shotgun!

I had a pro do intermediate work with my lab, primarily due to a very hard mouth issue. (Obedience, force fetch, marks on land/water, steadiness, etc). But, after those 10 weeks, I had the dog doing training drills at least 5 days a week. Definitely became a hobby. I just love watching him do his thing, plain and simple! Very rewarding to watch it all click this Fall.

[Scott M]

My $0.02...My wife and I bought our lab two years after we were married, right when I started my professional career, and 3.5 years before our daughter was born. I wanted a retriever that did some upland hunting. I followed a local trainer's advice, worked with said trainer on a few occasions (he was retired and worked with me for free), and within a years time, turned her into a fine dog. I give her some remedial training that keeps her sharp for the fall. She's not a perfect dog, but a fine dog. I am not a perfect man nor a perfect hunter, so if she makes a few mistakes, I roll with it and in a way it gives me some humility. She loves me and my family and has been a perfect companion however.

I took the time to read some reference materials and get her out and I'm happy with the results. I know where I made some mistakes and I know what steps I would have to take to make her better...Keep in mind this is all from a complete rookie.

I think the decision you make when it comes to training all depends a bit on your expectations and how you're wired. Like some others have said, I'm more of a do-it-yourself kind of guy and I wanted the challenge. I reached a point where I was satisified and that point is different for all hunters/owners/trainers. Philosophically I believe that we all get 24 hours in a day and we can all only do so much. I enjoy fishing in the summers, so rather than taking the dog to the park or to the water to train further to get some of the finer points my lab misses, I take her as is and go wet a line. Some call it lazy; I call it a tradeoff.

My next dog? Well, I'm finally getting to a point where I could afford a trainer and I will probably entertain the idea. However, I will still be putting time in with the pup if only because there is great joy in taking part in it.

I don't think there's a wrong answer - just do what's right for you and your dog. And have fun!