Training Tips
Here's how we make the most of each hunt
Training Pointing Dogs with Birds - Part 2
by LTC Jim Morehouse
In Part One of this series I explained why “Whoa” is the most important command in pointing dog training. Now I’ll explain the next step I take towards tying “Whoa” and live birds together. I want to give my young dogs heaps of experience with finding live birds. One, it’s fun...
Training Pointing Dogs with Birds - Part 1
by LTC Jim Morehouse
When SportDOG® asked me to write training articles on some of the aspects of training pointing dogs to handle birds, it seemed like a pretty easy task. As a full-time trainer and quail guide in Arizona, pointing dogs and birds are my passion. However, as I started to write about...
Training Pointing Dogs with Birds - Part 4
by LTC Jim Morehouse
In Part Three of this series I explained how to work on more advanced steadiness exercises using live birds. Now I’m going to finish by giving you my thoughts on how to deal with running birds. I’ve mentioned that when you start using live birds, you always try to work your...
Training Pointing Dogs with Birds - Part 3
by LTC Jim Morehouse
In Part Two of this series I outlined my method for tying in the “Whoa” command with live birds. Now it’s time to get into some more advanced live-bird work. Everything I’m explaining here still involves using a 15-foot lead or check cord. I don’t introduce the electronic collar...
5 Reasons to Own a Hunting Dog
by The SportDOG Staff
If you've already got a hunting dog, you know there's a stack of reasons to have one. If you're still tossing up the idea, we've chucked together our TOP 5 REASONS why you should just go for it and bring that pup home. Health – Ever heard the saying “if your dog’s...
Hunting with Kids
by The SportDOG Staff
Hunting with kids is a completely different beast. There are two very important things we must all remember. First, it's all about the kids, not you. Second, no matter how grown-up you reckon a kid is, they don't think like an adult. Let's have a squiz at the first one; it's...
Where to Start with a Finished Dog
by The SportDOG Staff
I get clients from time to time that want a dog that's already well on its way to being trained. They don't want to go through puppyhood and all the pleasures of house training, chewing, obedience, and those razor sharp teeth. Nah, they want a dog that's between...
Holding your Kids’ Attention When They Are Young
by Tom Keer
When my daughter and son were younger, they both wanted to be firies. That passion came about after our local Fire Chief Joe and his crew visited their school. The demonstration included an inspection of the fire truck, the helmets, the axes and pike poles, and the siren. I thought...
Training Commands: Talk Less, Reinforce More
by Charlie Jurney
No matter how good our intentions, us hunters and dog trainers as a whole make one mistake that sets our training progress back and creates extra problems. We make this mistake time and time again, and it's bloody important to recognise it and sort it out. What am I talking about?...
Building a Reliable Retriever
by Tom Dokken
A retriever that stays calm in a duck hide and focuses on watching birds drop is a joy to hunt with. In a perfect world, that's how all retrievers would carry on. While a steady retriever is something that most hunters want, the reality is that very few retrievers are truly...
Building a First Aid Kit
by The SportDOG Staff
My background's a bit different than many of the dog handlers on the SportDOG® ProStaff. I'm a tactical paramedic. I work with law enforcement and service dogs. In fact, I've never hunted with dogs. However, I've trained explosive-detection canines, and I specialise in cadaver dogs. Today, I teach canine...
Dealing with a Heat-Related Emergency
by The SportDOG Staff
We lose more dogs to heat-related emergencies than almost any other. If you take preventive measures before heading out to the field, there’s much less of a chance your dog will get into trouble. But when a dog starts to show signs of heat stress, knowing how to deal with...
5 Things Dog Trainers Do Best
by The SportDOG Staff
Dog trainers are a one of a kind. We all come from different backgrounds, careers, and experiences. We have different styles and beliefs about what we do, but still, there are a few things we all share. We all share some pretty awesome strengths. Here are some top 5 places where...
5 Reasons Your Kid Needs a Hunting Dog
by The SportDOG Staff
It should come as no surprise that we’d encourage everyone to have a dog. They’re kind of the basis of everything we do, and we love it. Most of us have had dogs since we were kids. Many of us would tell you that our dog was one of the...
Simple Trick to Keeping Your Dog Hydrated When Hunting
by Bob Ford
Conditioning and hunting dogs in the hot months of summer and early season requires that we're careful about hydration. No doubt about it, my dogs will drink from the nastiest mud puddle in the field, but I'd prefer that they don't. Stagnant water in the field could carry...
The Evolution of Dog Training: Communication is Key
by Lynne Frady
When I started training I was young and green, there weren't many training groups in my area to work with, just a few older blokes that got together once a month to train. I can't whinge because they welcomed a snot-nosed girl to train with them and I did...
