Training a Bracco Italiano doesn’t begin at six months with a check cord — it begins the day a puppy opens its eyes. The foundations we lay in the first weeks shape a confident, biddable dog that’s ready for real gundog work later on.
Weeks 1–8: Exposure Over Instruction
Before any formal commands, our focus is exposure: different surfaces, sounds, people, and gentle handling every day. Puppies raised underfoot, surrounded by daily household noise and routine handling, settle faster into new homes.
Weeks 8–16: Name, Recall, and the Power of Play
Once puppies go to their new homes, we recommend owners focus on three things: building a rock-solid recall through play and food rewards, teaching the puppy its name as a cue for attention, and introducing a clicker or marker word consistently.
Months 4–6: Early Bird Exposure
For a pointing breed, early and positive exposure to birds — wings, then live pigeons in controlled settings — helps develop natural pointing instinct without pressure.
Why This Matters
A puppy that has had structured but gentle exposure in its first six months is dramatically easier to bring into formal obedience and field training later.