Zero to Duck Dog: The Complete Retriever Training Program
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- Introduction to the Zero to Duck Dog Training Program
- Course Printables - PRINT NOW!
Retriever Puppy Preparation: Choosing the Right Breeder, Puppy, and Training Tools

Selecting the Right Hunting Puppy for Your Goals - Part 1
Selecting the Right Hunting Puppy for Your Goals - Part 2
Early Puppy Development and Socialization Basics
Puppy-Proofing Your Home: Creating a Safe and Structured Environment
Essential Tools for Retriever Training Success
Foundational Puppy Training: Building Confidence and Good Habits for 8–12 Week Old Retrievers

8-12 Week Training Guide
8-12 Week Example Daily Schedule
8-12 Week Checklist
Early Puppy Behavior: Building Good Habits from the Start
Crate Training Essentials: Setup, Placement, and Puppy Success
Building a Safe Space: How to Crate Train Your Puppy for Success
Safe and Effective Crate Training: Creating a Positive Space for Your Puppy
Puppy House Manners: Using a Short Leash for Training and Control
Puppy Socialization: Building Confidence Through Exploration and Play
Teaching Quiet: How to Stop Puppy Whining and Barking
Housebreaking Your Puppy: A Potty Training Guide
Teaching Sit with Positive Reinforcement
Positive Reinforcement Basics: How to Train Puppies with Treats
Building Patience and Focus: Advancing the Sit Command
Puppy Training Basics: Building Early Retrieve Drive Indoors
Building Retrieve Drive: Developing Focus and Enthusiasm in Puppies
Introducing Kennel Training with Positive Reinforcement
Introducing Your Puppy to Water: Building Confidence and Drive
First Bird Experience: Safe and Positive Puppy Introduction to Live Birds
Puppy Bird Introduction and Hunt ’Em Up Basics
Are you ready to move on?
Retriever Puppy Training for 3–5 Month Old Dogs: Building Confidence, Control, and Early Field Skills

3-5 Month Training Guide
3-5 Month Example Schedule
3-5 Month Checklist
Teaching the Kennel or Place Command: Building Confidence and Consistency
Foundations of Puppy Retrieve Training: Creating Positive Outdoor Sessions
Introducing Bird Boy Marks: Building Early Marking Skills and Confidence
Introducing Puppies to Water: Safe and Positive Swim Training
Water Mark Confidence: Teaching Young Retrievers to Succeed on Water Retrieves
Heel and Sit Training: Building Control and Consistency with the Leash
Teaching Leash Manners: Building Focus and Engagement with Treats
Introducing White Coat Marks: Building Early Marking Skills in Young Retrievers
Training by Temperament: Adapting Techniques for Fast and Slow Dogs
Improving Marking and Motivation: Walking Singles Training Session
Are you ready to move on?
Intermediate Puppy Training: Hunt and Obedience Development for 5–7 Month Old Retrievers

5-7 Month Training Guide
5-7 Month Example Schedule
5-7 Month Checklist
Leash Handling and Heel Work: Improving Obedience Through Controlled Drills
Correcting Leash Pulling: Teaching Heel Control with the “P for Perfect” Lead
Advanced Heel Work: From Leash Pressure to E-Collar Control
Setting Up Marks: Using Wind, Terrain, and Cover for Better Retrieves
Extending Marks: Teaching Dogs to Hunt Beyond Their Comfort Zone
Preparing for the Hunt: How to Safely Introduce Your Dog to Decoys
Teaching “Hunt ’Em Up”: Quartering, Wind, and Scent Cone Basics for Duck Dogs
Field Quartering Basics: Building Range, Control, and Bird-Finding Skills
Gunfire Introduction 1: Building Confidence and Control in Young Gun Dogs
Gunfire Introduction 2: Preparing Dogs for Their First Hunt
Shotgun Popper Introduction: Building Confidence Around Gunfire
Introducing the Kennel Command in the Field: Building Confidence and Steadiness
Ground Blind Training 1: Teaching the Kennel Command with Confidence
Ground Blind Training 2: Reinforcing the Kennel Command with E-Collar
Ground Blind Training 3: Remote Sends and Advanced Kennel Work
Ground Blind Training 4: Walking Singles and Advanced Marking Skills
Canoe and Boat Training: Teaching Steadiness and Confidence on the Water
Quick Heeling Drill: Building Control and Delivery to Hand
First Live Duck Training and Check Cord Control
Off-Leash Heel Training: Building Control and Responsiveness with E-Collar Reinforcement
Integrated Obedience Training: Strengthening Heel, Sit, and Place Commands
Advancing the Kennel Command: Building Distance, Distraction, and Duration
Are you ready to move on?
Collar Conditioning Foundations: Building Reliable Off-Leash Obedience for 5-7 Month Old Retrievers

Collar Conditioning Training Guide
Proper E-Collar Fit and Setup: Foundation for Effective Conditioning
Collar Conditioning to Recall: Teaching the Here Command with Pressure and Praise
Teaching Heel with Collar Pressure: Timing, Levels, and Control
Collar Conditioning to Sit: Building Fast, Reliable Obedience
Building on Place Training: Using Collar Pressure for Reliable Obedience
Force Fetch Training for Retrievers: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Building Reliable Retrieves and Control

Force Fetch Training Guide
Teaching Hold: Building Calm Control Before Force Fetch Training
Force Fetch Step 1: Introducing the Hold on the Table
Force Fetch Foundations: Early Hold Training for Young Dogs
Force Fetch Method: Teaching Fetch with the Ear Pinch Technique
Force Fetch Step 2: Introducing the Toe-Hitch Method
Force Fetch Progression: Building Drive and Responsiveness with the Toe Hitch
Force Fetch Step 3: Transitioning from Toe Hitch to E-Collar Pressure
Refining Collar Pressure: Building Consistency Before Ground Work
Force Fetch Step 5: Transitioning from Table Work to Ground Training
Building Reliable Retrieves: Ladder Fetch and Delivery to Hand
Force-to-a-Pile Basics: Building Momentum and Understanding the Back Cue
Field Transition Training: Building Confidence and Consistency with Live Birds
Force Fetch Completion: The Finished Retriever Standard
Hunt Prep Essentials: Preparing 7–12 Month Old Retrievers for the Field

7-12 Month Training Guide
7-12 Month Example Schedule
7-12 Month Checklist
Refining Obedience: Advanced Heel Work and Sit Duration Training
Building Confidence on Water: Steadiness and Control for Young Retrievers
Duck Boat Training: Teaching Safe Entry, Exit, and Obedience on the Water
Memory Mark Drill: Building Confidence and Distance in Young Retrievers
How to Shackle a Live Duck for Water Retrieves
Training with Shackled Ducks: Building Persistence in Water Retrieves
Long-Distance Kennel Training: Strengthening Drive and Responsiveness in the Field
Building Memory and Marking Mechanics: Teaching Doubles with Precision
Introduction to Doubles: Building Marking Skills for Young Retrievers
Teaching Doubles: Building Marking Memory and Confidence in Retrievers
Diversion Bird Drill: Teaching Focus and Preventing Switching During Retrieves
Diversion Birds on Water: Advancing Retriever Focus and Steadiness
Retriever Marking Skills: Mastering the Y Drill for Better Depth and Focus
Inline Marking Drill: Building Depth Perception and Precision in Young Retrievers
ABC Marking Drill: Teaching Depth, Accuracy, and Confidence in Marking
Understanding the ABC Drill: Marking Concepts for Accurate and Confident Retrieves
Training for Real Hunts: Blind Steadiness and Safety Drills
Simulated Hunt Scenarios: Building Steadiness and Focus for Duck Retrievers
Preseason Tune-Up: Reinforcing Steadiness and Control Before Hunt Season
Duck Hunt Simulation: Realistic Training for Steadiness and Diversion Control
Honoring Basics: Building Patience and Control in Multi-Dog Training
Advanced Honoring Drill: Multi-Dog Steadiness and Control Under Pressure
Group Hunt Training: Honoring and Steadiness for Multiple Retrievers
Are you ready to move on?
THANK YOU - Advanced Retriever Program Coupon
Wrapping Up the Zero to Duck Dog Course

Gunfire Introduction 2: Preparing Dogs for Their First Hunt

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