When talking about hunting dogs, it’s common to skip over the faults of your beloved canine companion and get right to the good stuff. After all, it’s easy to overlook faults when a dog gets at least most of their retrieving duties right. But if you want your dog to become more capable for next season, Outdoor News‘ Tony Peterson says that now’s the time to assess your dog’s waterfowling skills.

Strategy Photo by TheOutdoorNews

If your dog showed a few undesirable traits this fall whether chasing grouse, ducks, pheasants or any game birds, consider planning a training strategy now. What you work on throughout the end of the season and the winter months will become second nature in the summer, and of course when it really counts, next season.

Photos: Los GauchosĀ (top); The Outdoor News (above)