How to Train a Dog to Point

Teaching a dog tricks can be not only fun for both you and the dog but also helpful for other times and tasks. Dogs are known as man's best friend and that can be true when it comes to having a buddy around to help hunt, fish or retrieve.

Things You'll Need

• bird launcher
• bird
• whistle

Instructions

1. Let your dog run around in an enclosed area. Blow a whistle and command the dog to stop. Practice this several times until the dog stops with a whistle blow. Take your dog to an open area and practice the whistle blow stop again.

2. Command your dog to stay and walk twenty to thirty yards away. Call your dog to you. Blow the whistle when your dog is about ten yards away. The dog should stop. If he doesn't try it again. Repeat this step until your dog stops at the whistle blow when coming toward you.

3. Place a bird launcher at your feet and repeat step two. Load the launcher with a dummy bird. Leave your dog thirty yards away. Call the dog toward you. Launch the dummy and blow the whistle. Repeat this step over and over again until the dog automatically stops when the dummy is launched.

4. Repeat step three with a real bird, a pigeon works well. This one may take a great deal of practice because the dog will likely be excited about having a real bird around and want to chase it. Be patient and persistant. Once they've got the hang of the live bird move on to step five.

5. Hide the launcher in the woods with a live bird. Make sure you approach it from downwind for training purposes. Once the dog gets close, launch the bird. The dog will slowly learn to stop when it gets the scent of a bird. Thus you have taught your dog to point.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient and persistant

• Don't skip steps because your dog needs to understand each one completely before moving on