Keep Training After Shooting Season: Fun Ways to Build a Better Dog on Your Weekly Walks
Although shooting isn’t what Point & Paw are about, shooting and working dogs in the beating line is very close to director Gee’s heart. When the shooting season wraps up, it can feel like your dog’s “job” suddenly disappears overnight. The early mornings, the structure, the purpose — gone. But here’s the good news: the closed season is one of the best times to train. There’s less pressure, fewer expectations, and you can focus on building the foundations that make next season smoother — while still keeping things light, rewarding, and genuinely enjoyable for both of you.
And you don’t need a training field, fancy kit, or hours of spare time. Your weekly hikes and everyday walks are already the perfect training ground.
Why training now matters (even if you’re “off season”)
A lot of dogs lose sharpness when routine drops. Recall gets a bit optional. Steadiness slips. They start entertaining themselves (usually at your expense). Keeping up small, consistent training sessions through the off season helps:
Maintain fitness without overdoing it
Keep your dog mentally satisfied (a tired brain is a happy brain)
Strengthen your relationship and responsiveness
Improve the basics that matter most: recall, heelwork, steadiness, and focus
Prevent bad habits creeping in while you’re “taking a break”
Think of it like staying match-fit — but without the match pressure.
The golden rule: keep it short, keep it fun
Off-season training should feel like a game, not a drill. Aim for little “micro sessions” during your walk:
30 seconds here
2 minutes there
One or two focused reps, then move on
Finish while your dog still wants more. That’s how you build enthusiasm.
Turn your weekly hike into a training session (without ruining the hike)
Your hike already has everything you need: distractions, terrain, smells, wildlife, other dogs, changing weather — real-life conditions that make training stick.
Here are simple ways to weave training into your route.
1) Recall games (that don’t feel like “come here and the fun ends”)
If your dog only gets called back when it’s time to clip the lead on and go home, they’ll clock that quickly.
Instead, make recall predict good things:
Call them in, reward, then release them again (“go on!”)
Call them in, reward, then run away a few steps to restart the chase
Take turns calling if you’re walking with a friend or family member
Make it a habit: 5–10 recalls across the walk, most of them followed by freedom again.
2) “Find it” to build hunting brain (without over-arousing)
Scent work is brilliant off-season because it’s mentally tiring and naturally rewarding.
Try:
Toss a dummy or favourite toy into light cover and send them to find it
Hide it behind a fallen log or tuft of grass while they wait
Scatter a few treats in a small patch and let them search
Keep it calm and controlled — you’re building focus, not franticness.
3) Heelwork in real life (the kind that actually helps)
Heelwork doesn’t have to mean marching for 20 minutes. Use the hike to practise short bursts:
Heel for 10–20 steps past a distraction (dogs, cyclists, a gate)
Reward, then release back to normal walking
Repeat when you need it most, not when it’s easiest
This builds a dog that can switch “on” and “off” — which is exactly what you want next season.
4) Steadiness and impulse control (without making it boring)
Steadiness is one of those skills that pays off everywhere: around livestock, wildlife, other dogs, and exciting smells.
On your walk:
Ask for a sit and wait at gates and stiles
Practise a short stay while you walk a few steps away
Drop a treat or toy and reward them for waiting to be released
You’re teaching: “Excitement happens, but you still listen.”
5) Fitness with purpose (not just endless miles)
Hikes are great conditioning, but you want controlled fitness — especially for working dogs who’ll be back at it later in the year.
Mix in:
Hill walking at a steady pace
Controlled retrieves uphill (harder work, fewer reps)
Short “on lead” sections to keep joints and movement tidy
If your dog is young, returning from injury, or still developing, keep it sensible and build gradually.
A simple weekly structure that works
If you like a plan, here’s an easy rhythm you can repeat without overthinking:
On every walk (daily or a few times a week):
3–5 quick recall reps
2 short heelwork bursts
1 “wait” at a gate or path junction
On your weekly hike:
10 minutes of training sprinkled through the route
2–4 controlled retrieves (quality over quantity)
1–2 “find it” searches in cover
A calm settle break halfway (teach them to switch off)
That’s it. Consistency beats intensity every time.
Keep motivation high: rewards, variety, and wins
Dogs stay keen when they understand the game and feel like they’re winning. A few tips:
Use a mix of rewards: food, toy, praise, freedom to run
Change the “game” often — same skills, different setup
Don’t repeat commands. Set them up to succeed instead
End sessions on a good rep, even if it’s a small one
The payoff: next season starts now
Training after shooting season isn’t about drilling your dog into perfection. It’s about keeping them engaged, responsive, and happy — so when the season returns, you’re not starting from scratch. You’re simply sharpening what’s already there.
And honestly? Some of the best training happens when there’s no pressure — just you, your dog, and a good walk.
