Ducks over decoys demand patience in the blind and navigation through a spread of plastic ducks to retrieve a cripple that has swam into the vegetation along the opposite shorelines. You've been training for months and our hopes ar e high for our pup's first hunting season. Natural ability tells you that a pup is worth training to be a finished gun dog. Utility Preparatory Test is a mid-level testing and will pinpoint areas that your dog needs more work in. The utility test is for the veteran dog of several seasons of hunting and years of training.
Most dogs start to mature at two to three years.
Too much pressure at an early age risks loss of intensity, style and desire. Don't punish a promising young dog by pushing him, just because he's doing well. He could be three years old before his mind is ready for the demands of intense versatile steadiness. Pups first hunting season is very important. It builds desire that carries him through difficult situations in the field and marsh.