Meet the Trainers: Q&A with Veteran Dog Trainer Justin Jackson
Elevate your retriever training skills with insights from Justin Jackson of Texoma Retrievers LLC
June 11, 2024 •
1
min read
Courtesy of Justin Jackson
Meet veteran retriever trainer Justin Jackson of Texoma Retrievers LLC.
Location: Geronimo, Oklahoma
How long have you been a trainer? 13 years
Early Stages:
For new puppy buyers, what should be the training priorities in that dog’s first year?
Socialization and building retrieving desire.
What’s the biggest mistake you see amateur trainers make when dealing with a puppy?
Too much obedience without attention to building retrieving desire.
How significant is choosing a name?
Insignificant.
Pros and cons to different names?
I don't like “s” names, because our number one command in our program is sit.
Courtesy of Justin Jackson
Specific Behaviors:
What’s the most difficult introduction (water, gunfire, multiple retrieves, dog blinds, etc.) trainers deal with?
Introduction to pressure.
What is the simplest way to correct breaking and improve steadiness?
Place board, dog stand, or dog blind.
How do you approach correcting whining in a young dog?
Spray them in the face with a spray bottle of vinegar.
What are your rules or guidelines when dealing with training in the summer heat?
Start early, find shade, and never put a wet dog back in the box.
Courtesy of Justin Jackson
Hunting Focus:
What are the main training indicators that your dog, regardless of age, is ready for the fall hunting season?
Most important is steadiness, second is retrieving to hand reliably, three is very solid obedience.
What are some of the most common bad habits dogs tend pick up during the hunting season, and how are they addressed?
Number one bad habit picked up is breaking. If you are not going to correct it the moment it starts, it's better to tie them up to prevent breaking. Number two is whining/noise, usually cannot correct this with pressure. We like to carry a spray bottle of vinegar, spray in mouth and say quiet.
What are your ideal expectations for your retriever throughout the waterfowl season?
Remain steady and to learn on the job how to take the marking and blind retrieve training and apply it to a hunting situation. An example would be, watching the birds work the sky, staying focused on the cripples.
