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
Selecting the Right Hunting Puppy for Your Goals
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?
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Wrapping Up the Zero to Duck Dog Course

5-7 Month Checklist

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