These first few hunts are important in developing the hunter in our dog. We need to transfer all the training knowledge into a situation in which the dog feels confident in what they are doing in order for them have SUCCESS in the hunting field.
First and foremost, create easy environments for success. Help them be successful, they are learning this for the first time. I highly suggest hunting out of a dog blind on each hunt. They understand they need to get in and stay in, this will alleviate an unfocused dog and have a better opportunity to mark a dead bird once shot and retrieve successfully.
Introduce them to how you hunt! Everyone's style is different and how they approach it. Visit your hunting spot and throw a few marks before the hunting takes place. Let them experience the setups before they happen.
Be patient with your dog, although they have been trained on how to hunt, they need to learn to hunt...they are getting on the job training now.
Scout for Birds- Birds make a bird dog- the more experience they can garner on birds the better they will become. We want to kill ducks inside the decoys or within 20-30 yards, try to garner a hunt to gain successful experience. Pass shooting is not ideal for a new duck dog learning.
LEAVE YOUR GUN AT HOME- These first few hunts are the time to focus on the dog.
Bring along people to do the shooting- people that can actually shoot. We aren't looking for hail mary shots hoping to hit, we are looking for people that consciously know their limits and will kill birds for your dog.
Don't overwhelm the dog-we want to have a successful underwhelming experience for them. Shoot once or twice into a flock let the dog watch....we will be able to kill limits later on, we need the experience first.
Steadiness is Key- However, every dog that loves the game will break. This does not make it right, but expect it to happen. The key to a truly steady dog is having that successful steadiness early on, hence leave the gun at home. This is your responsibility to control the dog, control them. If you have to have a leash and steady tab the first few hunts, that's absolutely fine, this will pay dividends down the road.
Keep hunting fun and light hearted, keep a bumper in your blind bag to have some fun during the slow times. Hunting is not the time for training. If your dog is doing something that is not correct, make note of it so you can work on it at home.
Keep expectations realistic, the first year or two they are still learning what the hunting game is all about.