In Part One of this blog, we explored the core of gundog hunting instincts, why they’re impossible to suppress, and how to use scent as a self-rewarding behaviour to strengthen your bond with your dog.
In Part Two, we’ll focus on breed-specific hunting techniques, providing practical advice tailored to Hunt Point Retrievers (HPRs), Spaniels, and Retrievers. Whether you’re training for fieldwork or simply looking to enrich your dog’s life, these techniques will help you build a confident and capable hunting partner.
How HPRs Hunt
Hunt Point Retrievers (HPRs) excel at using both air and ground scenting to locate quarry, making them highly valued for their ability to hunt, point, and retrieve.
One of their most impressive traits is their steady point, pausing completely when they’ve located their target, giving you the chance to step in and take the lead. Developing this skill takes time, consistency, and the right approach, but with practice, your HPR can become a confident and reliable hunting partner.
HPRs primarily use air scenting to find quarry, raising their heads to “taste” the wind. Once they’ve locked onto a scent, they’ll dip down to use ground scent for confirmation. Their hunting chain typically follows this sequence:
- Setting off with purpose.
- Quartering across the wind to locate scent.
- Pointing and holding steady on the target.
- Flushing on cue.
- Sitting or standing after the flush to await your instructions.
- Retrieving and delivering the quarry.
This structured chain of behaviours helps HPRs work systematically and efficiently. By starting with simple exercises and gradually increasing the complexity, you can help your HPR hone their natural abilities and build their confidence every step of the way.
Step-by-Step: Teaching Your HPR to Hunt
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Set Up for Success
Choose an open area where you have plenty of space, and make sure the wind is blowing towards you. This setup encourages your dog to use air scent effectively. -
Introduce the Scent
Take a scented dummy or a handful of food and show it to your dog to spark their interest. Place them in a “sit and wait” position while you walk out in a wide circle, keeping the area between your dog and the reward free from any scent. Drop the reward discreetly at a spot, moving carefully to avoid leaving excessive ground scent behind. -
Release Your Dog
Return to your dog, show them your empty hands, and use a cue such as “Go Find,” followed by “Get It” (if you’re introducing a new cue alongside an old one). Let them move out independently, using their nose to locate the hidden reward. -
Encourage Air Scenting
The first time, your dog might run straight to where they think the reward is. Be patient and let them use their nose to refine the search. You’ll see them raise their head to catch the scent in the air or begin a quartering pattern to work systematically across the area. -
Refine the Exercise
Repeat this process three or four times. Each time they succeed, celebrate their efforts and give them plenty of praise. As their confidence grows, expand the search area and add more targets. This will help them build a reliable quartering pattern. -
Add Complexity
When your dog is comfortable, increase the challenge by setting up the targets before they arrive at the training area. Gradually expand the size of the search area and introduce more difficult hides. Over time, they’ll learn to trust their nose and adapt to increasingly complex scenarios. -
Celebrate Success
Always reward your dog enthusiastically when they locate the target. Positive reinforcement builds their confidence and makes hunting a fun and rewarding experience. Don’t forget to include a recall at the end of each session to keep them focused and maintain good habits.
As your HPR progresses, you’ll notice them developing a more confident and efficient quartering pattern, working methodically across the wind. Their ability to interpret scent will become sharper, and they’ll hold their head at shoulder height, dipping or raising it as they read the trail. Encourage them to fully explore their environment while staying focused on the task at hand.
How Hunting Retrievers (Spaniels) Hunt
Hunting Retrievers, often called Spaniels, are masters of ground scenting. These energetic and focused gundogs excel at working close to their handler, quartering systematically to locate and flush game. Their natural drive and remarkable noses make them exceptional flushing dogs.
Spaniels rely heavily on ground scent to pinpoint game. Their role in the hunting chain is straightforward but essential:
- Set off alongside their handler.
- Quarter across the wind, staying within a close range of 3 to 5 metres.
- Locate game using ground scent.
- Flush game and then sit or wait after the flush.
- Re-hunt or retrieve as needed.
This close-range working style is what makes Spaniels such effective team players. They stay engaged with their handler, making it easier to maintain control and ensure that every hunt is a partnership. The following step-by-step guide will help you train your Spaniel to hunt with purpose and stay focused within a defined area (instead of disappearing over the horizon).
Step-by-Step: Teaching Your Spaniel to Hunt
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Choose the Right Location
Start in an area with low cover, such as a grassy field or a patch of brush. Avoid smooth lawns or surfaces without obstacles, as these don’t provide enough scent stimulation to keep your Spaniel engaged. -
Introduce the Scented Area
Take food rewards or scented dummies and show them to your dog to spark their interest. Place your Spaniel in a “sit and wait” position while you walk into the training area. Distribute several small piles of food randomly within a 4m x 4m space.
To add an extra challenge, pretend to place food in some spots, leaving residual scent but no actual reward. Make sure the piles are spread across the edges and centre of the area.
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Release Your Dog
Return to your dog, show them your empty hands, and release them with a cue such as “Go Find,” followed by “Get It” (new cue, old cue principle). Encourage them to search the area thoroughly, staying focused on finding the hidden rewards. -
Encourage Focus
Stay within the designated area to keep your dog on task. Use your body language to guide them, moving slightly behind or to the side. If they wander out of the area, stand still or step backward to redirect their attention. Your calm, clear presence will help them stay engaged. -
Celebrate Finds
Each time your Spaniel discovers a food pile, show your excitement! Praise them enthusiastically and reward them with the treat. This positive reinforcement will encourage them to keep searching and make the experience enjoyable for both of you. -
Increase Difficulty Gradually
Once your dog is successfully searching the area, add complexity. Hide the food piles before bringing your dog into the space. You can also extend the search area or add more residual scent spots to challenge their scenting abilities. Over time, this will sharpen their skills and help them develop a consistent quartering pattern. -
Incorporate a Recall
Always end each session with a recall to maintain control and reinforce obedience. A reliable recall ensures your Spaniel will return to you even when they’re fully immersed in scenting.
Training a Spaniel is about more than teaching them the mechanics of hunting - it’s about building trust and teamwork. As they grow more confident in their scenting abilities and learn to follow your guidance, you’ll find they’re not just working for you, they’re working with you.
How Retrievers Hunt
Retrievers are specialists in locating and delivering, making them an indispensable partner in the field as the ultimate goal is to get game safely in the bag and then on the table as a part of a healthy, nutritious meal.
You might think that retrievers don’t hunt because it’s not in their name, but in reality all gundog breeds hunt.
Retrievers excel at using air scent to pinpoint targets, then transitioning to ground scent to track injured or hidden quarry when needed. Their primary role in the hunting chain is straightforward yet essential: to locate, retrieve, and deliver efficiently.
They also often work at greater distances from their handler than flushing breeds, making communication and trust between dog and handler all the more important.
Retrievers focus on accuracy and delivery rather than flushing game. Their hunting chain typically involves:
- Setting off in the designated direction.
- Using sight, scent, and wind to locate the quarry.
- Returning and delivering the retrieve.
Step-by-Step: Teaching Your Retriever to Hunt
- Introduce the Close Hunting Cue
The close hunting cue is used when the dog has been sent out for a retrieve and the handler needs to tell the dog where to start hunting. This cue is usually a whistle that is blown rather more softly than the recall and stop cues and often sounds like the “toowit toowoo” of an owl.
Start in a small, clear area such as a patio or short grass where food or dummies are easy to spot.
Scatter a few pieces of food within a metre-wide area and release your dog to search while blowing the whistle. This helps your dog associate the whistle cue with searching.
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Refine the Cue
Once they’ve grasped the basics, place a few pieces of food behind your sitting dog. Step back, blow the whistle, and encourage your dog to turn and search the area. Gradually reduce verbal prompts so the whistle alone cues the search. -
Introduce Searching in Grass
Move to a grassy area and repeat the exercise using food or small dummies. Place the items within a small area and use a marker post to indicate where the reward is hidden. Use the whistle cue to signal the search, and celebrate every find with enthusiastic praise. -
Expand the Area and Complexity
Increase the size of the search area and the difficulty of the hides. Use longer grass, multiple dummies, or scented articles. This helps your retriever learn to rely on their nose to locate targets, following both air and ground scents. -
Incorporate Blind Retrieves
Introduce blind retrieves by hiding the reward before your dog enters the area. Use your whistle and hand signals to guide them toward the target. Begin with simple, close retrieves, and gradually increase both the distance and complexity of the search. -
Balance Searching and Retrieving
Not all retrievers find retrieving inherently rewarding, so balance searching games with retrieval exercises to keep them motivated. If needed, use high-value reinforcements like treats or toys to encourage enthusiasm for delivery. -
End Each Session Positively
Always end your training sessions on a high note. Celebrate a successful find or retrieve with plenty of praise. This positive conclusion reinforces their confidence and keeps them eager to work with you again.
When the close hunting cue has been fully taught and practised, it should be blown before the dog starts hunting and should not really need to be repeated unless you have had to redirect the dog to a new area or back into the original area of the retrieve.
Teach your gundog to hunt with Jules Morgan
If you want a confident and capable hunting partner, the best time to start training your gundog is right from the start.
Puppies are like little sponges, soaking up every new experience and skill. By introducing hunting games and exercises early, you can channel their natural instincts in a positive and productive way while building their confidence in the field.
Even if your gundog is primarily a pet, these activities help prevent frustration and boredom by giving them the mental and physical stimulation they need to thrive.
Pet gundog’s hunting instincts are a part of who they are. You can’t simply switch them off. Instead of trying to suppress these natural behaviours, it’s far better to guide them in a constructive direction.
A gundog that wants to hunt with you rather than for themselves is a joy to work with and a pleasure to have at home. Structured hunting activities strengthen your bond and ensure your gundog feels fulfilled, balanced, and happy.
For those planning to work their dogs in the field, nurturing hunting instincts is essential. A dog that lacks confidence or understanding of hunting won’t perform effectively or enjoy the experience.
Training lays the foundation for a strong, reliable partner who listens to your cues, works alongside you, and stays focused. This collaboration makes hunting not only successful but also a truly rewarding experience for both you and your dog.
If you have a puppy under 8 months old, now is the ideal time to join the Puppy Gundog Classes at Teach Your Gundog. These classes will help you lay the groundwork for a confident, skilled, and enthusiastic hunting partner. For older dogs new to gundog training, our Foundation Classes are designed to get them on track and help you unlock their potential. Book your spot today and take the first step towards building a strong, collaborative relationship with your gundog.