Training Pointing Dogs: All You Need to Know
Pointing dogs, like many other hunting dogs, have special innate abilities when it comes to doing their job. Their abilities are based on genetics, but that doesn’t mean they don’t require training. So, how do you go about training pointing dogs?
While pointing dogs are hunting dogs, they’re not just any old dog. Rather, they’re instinctively capable of pointing exactly to where the prey is located. This ability inspires confidence and allows hunters to save time.
Training pointing dogs: How to go about it
These dogs are called pointing dogs because that’s exactly what they do. They “point” hunters in the direction of the prey with total precision. The objective of this type of training doesn’t have to do teaching these dogs to point. After all, as we’ve said, this is an innate capacity in these canines.
So, the training of pointing dogs has to do with teaching dogs to cooperate with hunters. Of course, a professional dog trainer is the most logical choice. However, there are many things that you can do yourself. Below, we’ll tell you more about what training pointing dogs involves.
Commands
The first thing you need to teach your pointer dog is to obey commands. Most importantly, your dog needs to learn to come to you every time you call it. What’s more, it also needs to learn to obey when you tell it to go after prey. And, of course, your dog should give you the prey when you tell it to, whether it’s in the water or on land.
At the same time, pointing dogs need to learn to obey when their owners tell them to sit or be still. Otherwise, they may end up scaring away possible prey.
Interacting with the hunter
Given these dogs’ innate hunting instincts, they may believe they’re capable of carrying out their work autonomously. This is one of the most important steps to take in order for the interaction to be good.
The animal must learn to cooperate with its owner, in this case the hunter. This is achieved by creating a good relationship between both parties, where trust and care are fundamental.
Pointing positions
Animals need to learn a variety of positions in order to show their partner–the hunter–where the kill is. Next, they’ll go after the prey and bring it to their owner. When it comes to these actions, there’s nor margin for error.
Is it possible to train a dog to be a pointing dog?
There are many dogs that are pointing dogs by genetics. At the same time, it’s possible to train other hunting dogs to fulfill this task. However, this training will need to be much more exhaustive since it will involve teaching animals to develop an instinct that they don’t possess.
This training of dogs to become pointers should involve a professional trainer. That’s because professionals are those that best understand the type of activities that are necessary for each phase of training.
What are the best pointing dogs?
The most well-known pointing dogs include setter breeds, pointers, the Brittany Spaniel, the German Wirehaired Pointer, and any type of hound. The Spanish Pointer and the Pachón Navarro are also well-recognized pointing dogs in the north of Spain.
We hope you’ve provided you with the information you need to know more about pointing dogs and their training. Without a doubt, these animals are born with a gift that’s a great ally on any hunting expedition.