By John McCarter

Taking your gun dog on their first hunt is an exciting time and it is easy to get lost in that excitement. It does require preparation and doing everything you can to put your dog in the best position to succeed. Ensuring a positive first experience is a crucial and fundamental piece to them turning into the gun dog of your dreams. 

Understanding the Hunt and Your Dog’s Preparedness

Before heading out for your first hunt, it’s essential to match your dog’s training and experience with the type of hunt you’ll be doing. For retrievers, the first hunt usually revolves around waterfowl or dove hunting. The key here is preparation—replicating the actual hunt environment as much as possible beforehand. Here are a few points to consider:

• Mock Hunts: A week or a few days before the hunt, conduct a mock hunt to simulate the hunting environment. Set up decoys, mojos, dog stands/blinds, etc, and let your dog familiarize themselves with the area. This exposure is critical for young dogs to understand what will happen during the actual hunt.
• Specific Environment Familiarity: If your hunt involves waterfowl, make sure your dog is accustomed to water and has experience retrieving in similar conditions. For dove hunts, your dog should be used to smaller birds, and understand how to handle them properly. Doves have delicate feathers that can easily come out in the dog’s mouth, so practicing retrieves with this type of bird is crucial. 
• Control and Commands: Dogs should respond well to commands and demonstrate control in a variety of scenarios. Basic commands (here, heel, sit, kennel/place) are crucial, but advanced skills like running blinds (retrieving a bird that falls out of sight) may also be necessary, depending on the hunt.

Tips for the First Hunt: Keeping it Simple and Positive

When it’s finally time for the first hunt, the goal is to ensure a positive experience for the dog. Here are some specific strategies:

1. Keep it Small and Manageable: For the first hunt, go with one or two hunting buddies. This reduces the number of variables and makes it easier to manage the dog. A crowded hunting environment with many hunters and gunshots can be overwhelming for a young dog.
2. Focus on Easy Retrieves: Aim for straightforward and visible retrieves, like birds falling near the decoys or within easy sight. Avoid complex or long retrieves that could overwhelm or confuse the dog. Simple, successful retrieves will boost the dog’s confidence and create positive associations with the hunting experience.
3. Safety First: Safety should be the top priority on the first hunt. Keep the dog safe by holding onto their collar or using a leash to prevent them from breaking (running out too soon) and getting into danger. The excitement of the first hunt can be difficult to replicate in training, so it’s important to manage this carefully. It is wise for the handler to not carry a gun on the first hunt and instead, focus on handling your dog.
4. End on a Positive Note: Ensure the first hunt is short and ends positively. Even if there aren’t many birds, a few successful retrieves and a happy, safe dog are more valuable than a chaotic hunt with many variables. This positive ending sets the stage for future successful hunts.

Building Rapport with Your Dog

A successful hunt is as much about teamwork as it is about the dog’s training. If your dog has been with a professional trainer, spend time building rapport with them before the hunt. Just because your dog is trained, doesn’t mean you are speaking the same language. It takes time to build a rapport and teamwork.

• Understanding Commands and Signals: Dogs need to learn the specific language, commands, and body language cues of their handlers. This helps avoid confusion and enhances teamwork in the field.
• Consistent Reinforcement: Reinforce training behaviors such as waiting for the command to retrieve, staying calm, and ignoring distractions. The more your dog sees consistency in your handling, the more it will learn to trust and follow you.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Hunters new to handling dogs or those handling a dog for the first time should be aware of common mistakes:

• Rushing the Dog’s First Hunt: Don’t rush into a hunt immediately after getting your dog back from the trainer. Spend time reacquainting and reinforcing your expectations.
• Lack of Control: An out-of-control dog can ruin a hunt and potentially endanger itself or others. Dogs should demonstrate control in training before being taken to a real hunt.
• Ignoring Hunt-Specific Training: A dog that has only picked up ducks should not be expected to know how to handle doves, geese, etc, without training for it. Each type of bird and hunting environment should be introduced in training first.

What to Expect on the First Hunt

Even a well-trained dog might face unexpected challenges during their first real hunt. For example:

• Excitement and Breaking: Even experienced dogs can break (jump out before being released) when they encounter new, exciting situations, such as multiple hunters firing simultaneously or a large group of birds landing. Prepare for this possibility by keeping the dog close and under control.
• Sitting for Long Periods: Hunting often involves waiting, which is hard to replicate in training. Be prepared to manage your dog’s energy levels and keep them engaged or calm during long waiting periods.
• Handling the Unexpected: Certain scenarios cannot be perfectly simulated, such as multiple birds coming in from different directions or hunting in new terrain. These situations will be learning experiences for both the handler and the dog.

Final Thoughts

A dog’s first hunt sets the tone for their future hunting experiences. By carefully preparing, managing the environment, and focusing on positive reinforcement, you can ensure your gun dog builds a love for hunting that lasts a lifetime. Always prioritize the dog’s safety and experience over the success of the hunt itself. Remember, a well-managed first hunt with simple retrieves and a controlled environment leads to a more confident and capable hunting companion for years to come.

John McCarter is the owner and lead trainer of Bayou Gundog in Knoxville, Arkansas.