Vizsla puppies are outgoing, assertive, confident, and loyal. More importantly, they possess above-average training ability. With similar characteristics of both Golden Retrievers and Pointers, they make excellent bird hunting dogs on land and in water. Developing a first class sports dog requires following a few simple steps.
Initially, of course, successful obedience training in the face of any level of distraction produces a distinct foundation for further learning capacity. For instance, proper socialization allows puppies to reach their full potential. Likewise, introducing the pup to water at a young age and rewarding with positive reinforcement extinguishes water-based fears. Mastering basic obedience commands serves as the infrastructure for complex hunting commands. Practicing daily commands enforces inherent and quintessential discipline in Vizsla puppies.
Next, utilizing decoys and the scent of waterfowl teaches the difference between a real duck and a decoy. The most important element of this step requires teaching steadiness first in the form of non-retrieves. Creating a dog proficient at staying diminishes the unwanted behavior of running off after every bird that falls from the skies. In addition to that, delayed retrieving teaches hand signals and blind retrieves.
By the same token, exposure to realistic hunting conditions before taking the young dog out into the field allows for sound conditioning in order to extinguish the startle response. For example, target practicing or setting up simulated hunts in a proper shooting area allows the dog to meet performance expectations when on a real hunt and not startle at the sound of a gunshot. Above all, preparing for actual situations involves conditioning a dog prior to the hunt.
Establishing a lifelong hunting partnership with Vizsla puppies begins by teaching them at a young age that retrieving game furnishes positive reinforcement. Given these points, the natural instincts of a Vizsla includes going after, retrieving, and returning a shot bird. For those reasons, consistency of approach provides confidence in Vizslas. In the end, maintaining trust and confidence progress with proper training and positive reinforcement.