We've been bird dog training in Cadillac, MI 49601 for over 10 years, and invariably, when a client comes in with a problem regarding bird dog training, be it pointer, setter, flusher, retriever, or just a behavior challenged dog, most folks can't answer the question, "What's the most important command you can give in training your dog?"

When I ask them, typically the answer is come or here, sit, whoa, or stay. And my next question is, "Why would these be so important?" Obviously, it's because they are controlling commands, and isn't that what we're trying to do to the dog--to control it?

At Opeongo Bird Dogs, we use a modified approach to the positive type of training. If you look at training from a dog's perspective, it's either going to be very boring or with a different approach from the handler, it can be a lot of fun.

My question to the handler is: Is the dog going to act in a positive or a negative manner if all we try to teach him is controlling commands? If the pup thinks the activity or the lesson that he's learning is his own idea, he will be much more receptive to our wishes. And if he's rewarded, we've reinforced his cooperation even more.

Now the first thing that somebody thinks when they hear the word "reward" is that we're giving the pup a treat, and at the very beginning occasionally we do. But, if you are trying to train your pup to sit (for example), does he look forward to the activity of sitting, or does he look with more enthusiasm to the proffered treat?

When we substitute the treat with a release command from the seated position, what is he going to be focused on? Short-term attention span would suggest that he's more interested in being released.

Taking this to the field, if your pup has associated the release command as the ultimate reward in acquiring his birds, steadiness is a much easier concept to teach, since being steady, in his eyes, is the only way that he will get his prey.

At Opeongo Bird Dogs, we have successfully trained all forms of bird dogs with this concept of positive dog training; and some behavior challenged dogs as well, including very hard-headed dogs and gun shy dogs..

And so I ask again, "What's the most important command you can give in training your dog?"


Give us a call so we can talk in person about training or boarding.Your first consultation/visit is free.
This gives you an opportunity to tour our facilities and evaluate us while we evaluate your dog.

Mike Frederick
560 N 31 Rd.
Cadillac, Michigan 49601

phone: 231-876-2075

email: opeongobirddogs@yahoo.com

Visit our other Wetpaint site: dogtrainingopeongobirddogs.wetpaint.com

Or visit our main website: www.opeongobirddogs.com