You've picked out your pup, brought it home…now the training begins. The First Six Months are very important for fundamental retriever training. | Ducks Unlimited

Training a duck dog can feel overwhelming—especially the first time you take one into the blind. In this episode of Ascend, we break down what beginners actually need to know. Adrienne sits down with Addison Walker, a young dog trainer assistant at Mossy Pond Lodge, to talk through the real process of training and hunting with retrievers. From obedience and marking to first retrieves in open water, Addison shares what works, what’s normal to struggle with, and why patience matters most. This con