This is not hunting and not pattern training. It is confidence and field education.
Short, enjoyable sessions teach cover, wind, terrain and curiosity without pressure.
Your job is to observe emerging style and protect enthusiasm.
Step 22 / 4
Field introduction
Short, fun walks in real cover. The dog learns how wind and ground work and you learn how it likes to hunt.
Step 1 of 6
Purpose of early field exposure
FAQ
Quick answers for this step and how it fits the 90 day starter plan.
How long should first field sessions be?
Short. End while the dog is still confident and energetic. Ten to twenty minutes can be plenty for a young dog.
Do I need birds for field introduction?
No. Step 2 is about confidence, cover, wind, and exploration. You are building field brains before you add game pressure.
What is the biggest mistake in Step 2?
Turning it into obedience or pattern drills. Let the field teach and observe the dog’s natural style.
My dog ranges too far. What do I do?
Do not fight it with constant commands. Shape check ins with repetition and reinforcement, and pick safer fields while the habit forms.
What does the 90 day starter plan add here?
A progression map for range, check ins, and field sessions, including what to repeat and when to stop changing variables.