Can we pick a great bird dog pup at 8 weeks? Researcher says NO, but ...

Brian Hare, Ph.D., does have suggestions on that question, including an age when a pup actually can exhibit the traits of a great bird dog, and we'll get his answer on this and dozens more. He's a core member of Duke's Center of Cognitive Neuroscience, professor and with over 100 scientific papers and dozens of pups run through his home and hundreds through his research he's uniquely qualified to help us raise better bird dog puppies. Author of three books with his wife Vanessa Wood, his latest is Puppy Kindergarten.

We'll explore everything from the best age to bring a puppy home, to when a dog's congnitive functions are fully formed, to whether or not we can teach an old dog new tricks. Brian will address my questions about common puppy-raising mistakes bird hunters make, and guide us from crate training (revelations here!) to "socialization" and how much is enough. Does it matter when a pup in a litter "picks" us? What about introduction to water, gunfire, other people and dogs? We'll cover it all.

Our social segment features advice from followers on hunting boot care. 

And it's all brought to you by: Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, ClayCopter, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.