Tom Dokken - Tom Dokkens Retriever Training

TOM DOKKENS

RETRIEVER
TRAINING

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO DEVELOPING YOUR HUNTING DOG

TOM DOKKEN

Krause Publications

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

penguinrandomhouse.com

2009 Tom Dokken

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Ebook ISBN: 9781440224881

Edited by Jim Schlender & Corrina Peterson

Cover & Book Photography by Lee Kjos & Mark Palas

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Dedication

T o my family Mom, Dad, Jule, Scotty, Joanne and Ron. Thanks for making this possible. And special thanks to Sam, for introducing me to my best friend, hunting and fishing partner, and number one supporter my wife Tina.

About the Author

T om Dokken has more than 30 years of experience turning retrievers into successful field trial competitors, hunt test participants, waterfowling companions and upland bird finders. His business, Dokkens Oak Ridge Kennels in Northfield, Minnesota, is one of the largest all-breed hunting dog training facilities in the United States. Tom is also well-known as the creator of the popular Dokkens Deadfowl Trainer training dummy, which he designed to help teach dogs the proper hold on game birds. Tom and his wife, Tina, make their home in Northfield.

Contents

Preschool 7 TO 12 weeks

Elementary School, 1st Semester 12 to 20 weeks

Elementary School, 2nd Semester 12 to 20 weeks

Middle School 5 to 6 months

Junior High School, 1st Semester 6 to 7 months

Junior High School, 2nd Semester 6 to 7 months

Junior High School, 2nd Semester 6 to 7 months

High School, 1st Semester 7 to 8 months

High School, 2nd Semester 8 to 9 months

Last month of high school! 9 months to 1 year

In-the-field advice for hunting with any-age retriever

Post-Graduate Work After the first hunting season

Acknowledgments

T his book would have not been possible without the help and support of a lot of people to whom I am deeply grateful so many I could fill a book and then some. Although many people have helped shape my career over the years, I need to single out two people who for some reason chose to take me under their wing and helped guide me along the way.

Charlie, you have been there from the beginning. Thank you for taking a chance on a young wide eyed kid who thought he knew how to train dogs, for being a mentor but most importantly a close friend.

Ron, your support over the years has meant more to me than you will ever know. I am grateful for all the opportunities you have given me. Thank you for your trust and friendship.

To my staff past and present, thank you. Your dedication and love of what you do shows every day.

Lee and Mark, this book is truly a work of art. I am lucky to be surrounded by the best.

Introduction

T his book is meant to help you from the day you decide to bring home a new puppy with the expectation of training it be a finished hunting retriever. You have a big challenge ahead, but you also have a lot of help available to you. There is more knowledge about dogs and dog training, and more and better equipment available to you, than ever. My goal in these pages is to help guide you through the process.

These are exciting times in retriever training. With techniques such as play training and early conditioning to positive stimuli, a 3-month-old puppy can learn much more than anyone would have thought it was capable of only a couple decades ago. By moving away from old standards, such as waiting until a dog is near adulthood to begin training, todays retriever trainers are producing excellent dogs more quickly and at younger ages.

But some things never change. A trained retriever is still the ultimate conservation tool. A duck that falls in head-high cattails or a pheasant that hits the ground running wont likely end up in your hand without the help of a good retriever. And when its a dog that you trained yourself, the reward is all the sweeter.

I want to help you reach that reward. The techniques and concepts Im presenting here are not difficult, but you do have to follow them in order. By the final chapter, you will have a retriever that will obey your commands on-and off-leash, retrieve birds to hand, remain steady to shot, quarter and flush upland game, find downed birds and take hand signals.

You will have challenges, and there will be times when you might have to go back and re-read parts of some chapters. In fact, I encourage you to use this book as a reference guide; it isnt meant to be read in a couple days and then put on the shelf.

So, be firm but patient. Enjoy the process. Not long from now your dog will do something that will make you proud beyond words. And thats when youll know all the hard work, this business we call retriever training, has been worth every minute.

Tom Dokken,
March 2009

A PRIMER ONPUPPIES

T he fact that youre reading this book is evidence that you value all the things that make retrievers such excellent companions and hunting dogs. Great! We have at least one thing in common. Obviously, the Labrador is the most popular retriever breed, but all of the others have their fans as well. Regardless of whether you have a golden, Chesapeake, flat-coat, curly-coat or any other breed in the retriever category, the most important characteristic that members of this group share is this: They do whatever it takes to get the job done! With this book Im going to help you channel your dogs huge ambition so that he works for you, the way you want, and does so happily.

Before we go further, a disclaimer: Throughout this book I will often refer to your dog as a he. For those of you with female retrievers, please dont take offense. Its just easier this way, and besides, Im sure you dont think of your dog as an it, do you? Thanks for understanding. Now, with that out of the way, lets discuss several factors to consider when choosing and buying a puppy. I know you might already have your puppy, but by all means finish this chapter before going on.

HIGHLIGHTS

Male or Female?

Who Are You Buying From?

Straight Talk On Pedigrees

Veterinarian Considerations

MALE OR FEMALE?

If you want to discuss the hunting ability of male vs. female dogs, go ahead, but thats not an argument Im willing to join. The ability to put in an honest day of hard hunting has nothing to do with gender. However, there are lifestyle considerations and personal preferences to think about when you ask which gender of dog is best for you.