There are allot of people on this board that use different methods to train their bird dogs.  I am interested in the steps/methods (high level) that you use to train your bird dogs starting from puppy to finished dog for:  1) field trialing, 2) hunt tests, 3) just hunting?  Since I am just getting into the hunting aspects of my dogs I have been doing allot of reading and talking to trainers.  I would like to understand the different steps and how they may differ depending on the final goal. Please I do not want to start an argument about the validity of anyone's methodology, but to understand those various methods.  I train obedience and I have incorporated a multitude of different methods and styles into my training program for obedience.  I will probably do the same for hunt training.  Thus, the genesis of my question.  

Very similar to what I do.  Basically we teach puppies "Here" and play fetch with them.  Other than that  no structured training at all the first year.  As soon as conditions allow they are on birds at least four to five days a week.  When the season opens I start shooting birds for them that they point. 

This is the same whether the end goal is just a nice hunting dog and pet, hunt tests, or field trials.

From this point on though, once they are pointing staunchly and retrieving ok the methodology for getting to the finished product may vary quite a bit depending on the owners end goal for the dog.

"Just a hunting dog" for the most part is going to be a dog who is long on natural ability and exposure to wild birds because really that's all most hunters want in a dog.  Here, whoa, and turning on voice or whistle command is about all most of them want training wise.

Hunt test, the same as above, but steadiness beyond the flush and backing on sight is required.  The main difference in a hunt test dog and trial dog is range and independence so there will be a heavier focus on obedience with the HT dog than with the FT dog.

Range, speed, drive are extremely important in having a competitive trial dog.  Therefore we put far less emphasis on obedience the first year and a half or so for anything beyond keeping the dog moving to the front, and handling as quietly as possible when the course turns.

Once the dog is done with it's derby phase then absolute steadiness becomes the primary goal in training.  Once that is achieved we polish the pattern and refine the overall performance.

Ronnie knows his stuff and will get you set on the right path. And so begins the addiction .

Jean

Yeah, I like Ronnie allot.  Ringo does too.

 I LOVE Ronnie Sale!!  He is hands down one of my favorite people in the sport of dogs. Tell him "HI" from Dan and Doris and that we sure hope to see him in the White Mountains this year!

Sorry I didn't get to see him at the trials in SA or the one I went to down in Waller.

Ronnie is a competant trainer with a loyal following and he'll do right for you and with you.

Exposure is most certainly a big part of the training process. The more exposure to wild birds a dog gets the less formal training is needed.

The recent discussion of dogs and horses is a great example.  My dogs, and those brought to me for training grow up with horses and they are "exposed" to them daily.  Therefore my dogs never need go through any formal "introduction to horses" nor do they have to be trained at all on how to deal with them.

The same holds true for such things as "introduction to water".  On hot days we simply take the pups for a run, then head to the nearest tank/pond.  If they don't readily jump in and play I head out into the water and play with those that will.  Pretty soon, even those that are hesitant have to jump in as well because they don't want to miss out on the fun.

The never therefore need any specific training to teach them to enter the water or swim.  They simply grow up thinking it's a part of every day life, thus eliminating the need for formal training.

Exposure is a big, big part of training.  The more things you can expose a puppy to in a positive manner while they are young the more time and effort you can save in formal training.

So water and horse exposure are not a problem.  I have  friend with horses and donkeys and the dogs and visit her regularly starting when they are a pup.  So, they pretty much ignore the horses.  Although Ringo now associates horses with bird hunting because of exposure.  The water is not a problem.  I get them in water early and often.  My parents have a beach house so they get exposed to big water and waves at an early age.  The real problem I have is getting them exposure to birds, but I am hoping to remedy that with Ringo by working with Ronnie and letting him keep Ringo for a while, with me visiting on the weekends.  Ringo will get continuous training and then on weekends Ringo and I will both get some training.  I suspect I will need more training than Ringo.  I am looking forward to the process and then testing our prowess this fall in some hunt tests and field trials.  Hopefully, I will get to me more of you along the way.  Thanks for all the good input.  I will keep you posted on how this goes.