Line manners

The line is the spot where handler and dog wait for a retrieve. The way a dog behaves there carries over to the blind and the boat.

What good manners look like

These habits come from short, calm sessions repeated daily.

• Sits at the handler's side on a loose leash or off lead
• Watches the field without whining or barking
• Does not creep forward as the bird falls
• Waits for the release command before going

Why it matters for hunting

In a layout blind, a leaping dog flares birds and can tip a boat. A dog with good manners keeps the hunt safe and effective, and it is the base for steadiness and honoring. The guide to honoring, delivery and line manners gives drills.

At hunt tests

Judges see line manners as part of trainability. At Junior the AKC allows handlers to lightly hold the dog at the line. At higher levels, the dog is expected to wait on its own. See test day guide for what to expect.