Marc,
There are a number of very good books and videos out there.
"Bird Dog" Ben O. Williams
"Wing and Shot" Robert Wehle
"Training Pointing Dogs" Paul Long
"Best Way to Train your Gun Dog" Bill Tarrant/ Delmar Smith
"Gun Dog" Richard Wolters
There are as many "methods as writers. I have all of these books and more. I believe if you read a number of different books it will help you to gain your own philosiphy on what works for you and your dog.
I personally like Ben O. Williams method, which is get your dog on as many "wild" birds as possible. That said we don't all have access to as many wild birds as Ben does. I do believe the more time you spend the more you will enjoy your dog.
We all have very different expectations and thoughts about what a "finished dog is. I don't trial,I hunt wild birds, but my dogs do come from trial stock. My dogs will relocate on their own some if a covey is moving. It let's me get into range without the birds running away.(chukar,Gambel quail,etc)
If you hunt Ruffed grouse you won't want a dog that will move as Ruffs tend to be flighty.
Get your dog, read some, talk to local "dog men" and find out why they do what they do.
You will have a hard time screwing up your dog unless you shoot over it to early, are too hard handed, or expect to much to soon and loose patience.
Dogs are individuals just like we are. Some are quicker, some slower. Most are average-- a very few are spectacular, a few are slow witted.
Your dog will teach you what works. You're not there to teach the dog how to hunt, he/she will learn that instinctively. You want to teach the dog how to hunt "for you" and gt it into situation at the proper time to know well what a bird looks and smells like, and to learn to love it. I find that training dogs is satisfying just as tying your own flies, reloading shells, building decoys,etc.
Put some effort into finding proven methods and you will find it a very rewarding experience!
Shoot a double gun of your choosing over your dog.
