In each of the Hunting With Hank editions, I place my tongue firmly in my cheek and admonish you to follow my hard and fast rule -- never, ever spoil your bird dog. This little segment actually began as a gentle poke at professional dog trainers who believe you must keep your dog in a kennel and get it out only to train or hunt. It has become the most commented about segment of our shows. Virtually everyone who contacts me (if they have a dog), tells me how they "never" spoil their own dogs. It has become a very enjoyable part of my correspondence with our viewers.

Remember, I'm not a professional trainer, but here's what I believe. If you train your dog yourself, make sure it understands and follows your commands, give it lots of love and spoil it whenever you can, it will work harder for you in the field because it loves you and wants to please you!

Hank really wants to please me every time we go into the field together. He's not perfect, but any mistakes he makes are because he's trying so hard to make me happy. I don't know what more you can ask of a bird dog. Sometimes I wonder just how good Hank would have been if he'd had a professional trainer. Maybe he would have been a Field Trial Champion.

Whether you have a wonderful bird dog, a pedigreed dog, or a mutt, remember -- they all want and need your love.