it's great you can get out again. your dog is fine. some trainers feel the "real" hunt training should not start until a pup is 1 year old. of course most say to get an early start but these are opinions, not fact. i have trained hunting dogs that are 1+ years old at starting. as long as the dog has the basic obedience training by then, it works out fine. the key will be to get the dogs on birds as soon as possible so it's brain can start the scent and "birdiness" program. it's breeding can than kick in and the dog should take to the training. i do think a dog needs to be on birds a good amount by the time it is in it's "teen" years (about 2).

so get out and use your legs and hunting buddy at some preseves and game farms this spring and summer. once the dog has gotten a good taste of the hunt, and the genetics kick in, you will be sarting with a pup that already has bonded with you and wants to please you. the kinks (bad habits) will appear as you train and you will spend plenty of time trying to work them out. but remeber, you have had some awesome bonding time with your dog.

one possible negative though. my dad was laid up similar to you for about 6-8 months after his pup was only a few months old. the pup laid in bed with him the entire time. they have since had a bond that can't be broken, period. the unfortunate side is that the dog never learned that my dad was the boss, not just a buddy. so the dog does not listen to him very well. in his situation, he was unable to discipline the pup, so she dosen't feel she need to listen to him now. and i did the training on the dog from start to finish. she obeys me in the field when the 2 of us hunt together. but as long as you have been giving your dogs the "good" and the "bad" dog commands, you should be fine.

remember, your dog wants to please you, and your dog wants to hunt. so get out there and enjoy it. you have had a year without, that means you need to do it 2x's as much this year!