Participating in Hunt Tests is a great way to keep your dog in tune during the off season, and the added skills and experience he gains can only benefit you later in the duck blind. Hunt Tests differ from Field Trials in that each dog competes against the test rather than against other dogs, and the distances used will be closer to what you may experience while hunting.   Both the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club host sanctioned events through local clubs, with each offering stakes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced level dogs.

The UKC's Hunting Retriever Program does a great job of testing the skills needed by a first-class retriever--obedience, marking and handling skills, walk-ups, diversions, and honoring another working dog.  On any given weekend your dog may experience corn and bean fields, flooded rice fields or timber sloughs, big water points and coves, along with all types of pastures and CRP land.

Add ducks, decoys, boats, duck calls, and ammo fired by the handler--and each dog has a great hunt and gained a learning experience at the same time.