Ok so I have my dog trained to recall on a whistle. I'm wondering if anyone knows where to start, something to read, or general advice on training the more complex field commands. Such as directional movement. All hunting and retreving related commands.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks Pixie can you suggest a book or a site I can look at?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM8ySAOngnM

I want to say that I do not train exactly as a retreiver trainer does. GSPs are not retrievers. I adapted casting to my own needs.

I do not care if the dog turns with the correct shoulder and I don't say back and rely totally on the dog having visual contact with me - this is essential with retreiver training. I do the basics of the video but place my left or right hand in the center of my chest, the dog sitting or whoaing in front of me, I push my left or right hand in the direction,say the direction and take a step (in the begining to push the dog), I stop the dog with the rope if needed. To teach back i do the same excpet I hold my hand at shoulder's height and push it up and forward as I say back and may take a step back to push the dog.

Giving the dog thrown visual bumpers in the beging helps,too, giving the dog visual pile helps and having close distances at firt helps. Make it simple and then increase as skill level increases.

Try a game called baseball.

Have lot of fun doing this,

Francine