John.....congratulations on your coming pup! You certainly are in for a fun ride with a hunting dog companion. You seem to understand what is needed as far as obedience...so just be consistant and you'll be fine. "Never give any command you can't enforce"! i.e. with check cord or (later) ecollar.

For field training, just get pup out in the wilds as early and often as possible. Let the pup run and frolic...check out new scents and sights. This will build pups confidence and pup will learn about fences, ditches, and such. This is also a very good time for you and your pup to bond. It's okay to allow pup to chase birds in the field for a while. This helps build prey drive in the young dog. Meadow Larks, field Thrushes, whatever birds you encounter, work well for this training. He/she will soon be anticipating your trips to the field. One hint...from day one in the fields...when you want to change directions..blow your whistle and extend your arm in the direction you want to go. Then start walking that direction and pup will move to the front by instinct. Allways make the same sound with the whistle, i.e. 2 short blasts for direction change ect. This will be all the training your pup will need for quartering in the future. Simply always do it when you're in the field.

Once pup is tuned in to birds and will chase...you will want to introduce gun fire. Take a blank pistol afield with you and when pup is giving chase..fire 1 shot. If pup gives no response...just keep this up for several weeks, then pup will be ready to move on to a shotgun.

There are many good books out there. One I like alot is " The Ultimate Guide to Bird Dog Training" by Jerome B. Robinson. Read a few books...watch some vidieos, and have fun!

Good luck,

Rick