This weekend for many is exciting because football is getting started. For me, it’s the opening this year’s shooting season and it brings both sadness and promise. Last year was my young Lab, Larry’s, first hunting season. He’s about a year and a half now and shows promise that he’ll be a great dog. I was thinking this week of the issues I’ll be dealing with this dove season and I know I have my work cut out for me.

Fortunately, we get to practice on doves this weekend. Larry’s youth guarantees enthusiasm. A little enthusiasm goes a long way, a lot goes in every direction and at the drop of a hat. While I’ve trained Larry to be steady to wing and shot, I know that he’ll break on at least half the doves I shoot and a lot of them I miss. It’s just a dog’s nature and I expect it to take a couple of years to train it all out.

Some hunters don’t mind the dog breaking when a bird flies or falls. I don’t want that because, if I shoot a double, there’s no way he can mark the second bird. Also, there’s the possibility I might shoot and miss and Larry might see another hunter’s bird fall. I don’t want him running every time he thinks there’s a bird to fetch. We’ve already done simulation hunting where we just sit on a stool and I shoot from time to time. He wanted to go get the bird even though there wasn’t one.

He does eventually settle down in this drill but it’s predictable that he’ll break in a field with lots of hunters, shots, excitement, and real birds falling. Until he gets more into the drill, I need to consider my hunting secondary to his training. Sure, I can shoot some doves but I’ll miss a lot due to the distraction of focusing so much of my energy on him. The last half dozen birds will be kind of like normal hunting, if we’re lucky.

The trick to both of us enjoying the day is for me to lighten up and enjoy training my dog and for him to have a good time. If I get angry, it won’t help him to learn or me to have fun, so the right attitude is paramount. It’ll be a lot easier on me this weekend if I come prepared. First, I want to be sure he stays hydrated. If he’s really thirsty, he’ll be uncomfortable and not as likely to listen. Dove hunting is hard on a dog, remember how hot you are and consider how hot you’d be if you were running a hundred yard dash every time you shot a bird.

Make sure you have all the training aids you need for the day. With Larry, in addition to his training collar and whistle, I’ll bring one of the dog tie out stakes that screw into the ground. There’ll be a fairly long check cord on it and I’ll clip him between shots. If he breaks, and he will break, he’ll reach the end of the rope and learn something from the experience. It will save me yelling and whistling which could disturb my hunting neighbors and won’t do much for my mood.

I learned with Ernie to anchor the rope to something solid. When Ernie was a puppy, I tied the check cord to my shell bag belt. I shot a dove and was swinging on the second trying to get a double when Ernie hit the end of the rope. I shot about 25 feet over the dove, the buckle on the belt failed, and Ernie was running across the field dragging my belt behind him.

Another tactic that helps reinforce holding for the shot is to quietly talk to the dog as the bird is coming in. I’ll quietly and calmly say, “stay, stay” as a bird approaches. The quite tone in your voice will help calm the dog and increase your chances of him holding for the shot. It he does break, quietly say “no” just as he reaches the end of the rope. If he links the sound to the sudden stop, you’re halfway there.

Another issue I’m sure we’ll have to deal with is with him stopping to play with the bird before he gets to me. This is only reasonable to him since he knows that, once he arrives, I’m going to want him to hand the wonderful smelling and feeling object to me. Most dogs will pretend to drop or fumble the bird a couple of times to get to spend more time with it. Using a training collar on this problem is out of the question since it could make the dog think the punishment came from the bird.

The best way to deal with a dog that stops while retrieving a bird is to run in the opposite direction. If they’re properly bonded to the hunter, most dogs don’t want to get left behind and will run to catch up with you. As the dog catches up, simply stop and put out your hand to take the bird. If you do it right, the dog will catch up just as you turn around and have no opportunity to delay handing it over.

Chewing or chomping the bird is a common problem that’s hard to stop. It’s better to maintain control during the retrieving process and keep it snapping because, if a dog learns you’re not in control, he’ll take advantage. Use the above method and whistle for the dog if he starts to worry the dead bird. This habit is easier to avoid than it is to train out of the dog.

Most important is to make sure the dog has fun. I occasionally see dogs that are all business and no fun and frankly, I don’t like to hunt over them. There is nothing I like to watch more than an enthusiastic hunting dog. Part of the sadness I know I’ll feel this weekend is from missing the company of Ernie. We hunted 14 opening weekends together and every one was a pleasure. This week, watching Larry bound over the field, I was reminded of Ernie as a young dog, full of confidence and joy. Late in life, he was a better hunter, but, as a young dog, he was a joy to watch.

If we’re lucky, Larry and I have 14 or so seasons together. Larry will be rough around the edges this weekend but by the end of this shooting season, he’ll have made more progress than any year of his future life. How well we do will determine what kind of dog I hunt with for the next decade. I’m going to be busy and training hard this weekend and for the rest of this season to make sure he’s getting a good start, but I guarantee we’ll both be enjoying every minute of it.

DICK JONES IS a freelance writer living in High Point. Larry is a 17- month-old Fox Red Labrador who will hunt as well as do personal appearances with Dick. Dick writes about hunting, fishing, dogs, and shooting for several N.C. newspapers as well as magazines. He gives informative and humorous speeches for groups and can MC your outdoor event or help your church or youth organization with fundraising. He can be reached at offtheporch52@yahoo.com or offtheporchmedia.com.