Training Tips
Here's how we make the most of each hunt
Gun Shy Dogs Can Blossom
by The SportDOG Staff
Every dog training book will preach that you must be real careful when introducing a young dog to the sight, and especially the sound of a shotgun, but rarely will they tell you how to fix a gun shy dog. Some dog training veterans simply won't give it a burl. It...
A Dog Ready for the Field
by The SportDOG Staff
Hunting seasons are in full swing. In bird fields you can hear the cackle of a gutsy rooster taking wing, along with the hoarse voice of a hunter yelling at his dog as it chases the flashy pheasant to the next paddock. It's easy to hear all about...
Talent Is Not Obedience
by The SportDOG Staff
Whoa! Can your hunting dog 'whoa' or stop dead? Does it always come when called? Will it turn on command or always sit or lie down when told? Will it gently deliver a bird to your hand without chewing the least little bit? Good bird dogs have been...
Where to Begin with Puppy Training
by The SportDOG Staff
There are several different things that need to be done for and with a new puppy. First and foremost make sure all pup’s shots are on time and up to date. Find a local vet and set up an appointment for your new mate. This is one of many places you...
Straight Talk About Protein for Hunting Dogs
by The SportDOG Staff
As I travel across the country attending field trials, visiting kennels and hunting, I get a lot of questions about dog food for some reason. One topic that stimulates many questions is protein quality and protein’s role in dog nutrition. Protein is required by the body for two reasons: To provide...
Rigors of a Tough Hunting Season
by The SportDOG Staff
During the 2009-2010 hunting season, most of us endured our most interesting upland season in quite some time. The entire country experienced unique weather conditions this autumn and winter. Hard winters often turn most of our thoughts and concerns towards, 'how are the birds going to make it'? A question...
Tips For Dove Hunting And Gun Dogs
by The SportDOG Staff
There are heaps of things you oughta do to prep yourself and your dog for the first day of dove season. For most of us down south, it's still pretty hot during dove season. The most crucial thing is to keep yourself and your dog hydrated! There are all...
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...
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...
Season is Coming - A Checklist for Opening Day
by The SportDOG Staff
The most anticipated time of the year is upon us…Opening Day! As you and your mates plan the first big trip, it’s important to make sure you’re fully ready for what lies ahead. There’s nothing worse than getting out in the field and realising you’re missing equipment, something got...
Training Your Hunting Dog to an In-Ground Fence
by The SportDOG Staff
In-Ground Fence™ containment systems have risen dramatically in popularity over the years, and there’s good reason. In-Ground Fence systems are safe and effective devices for keeping your dog in a safe area. Most dogs take to this very quickly, especially hunting dogs that are used to e-collar training. In fact,...
Shed Hunting: Help Your Dog Help You - Part 2
by The SportDOG Staff
In my last article I described the benefits of shed antler hunting in the off-season and how to get your dog started in this fun sport. Now let me go into more detail about how to teach your dog to efficiently hunt for sheds. A dog has three weapons to use...
Shed Hunting: Starting Your Dog Out the Right Way - Part 1
by The SportDOG Staff
It’s a real shame bird seasons only last a couple of months. It feels like autumn rocks up and brings the thrill of pheasant and duck shooting, but then before you blink, winter’s taken hold and all you can do is dream and wait for the next season. Thankfully there’s another...
From Shelter to Field: Tips on Training a Rescue Dog
by The SportDOG Staff
The New Year often brings with it new dogs. Many of you may be looking into adding a new addition to your family as we speak. A major question we get this time of year is “can a rescue dog make an adequate hunting dog”. The short answer is yes....
Tom Dokken's Top 10 Tips for Dog Training
by The SportDOG Staff
Senior ProStaffer Tom Dokken has forgotten more about dog training than most of us will ever know, so it'd be almost impossible to get everything in one place, but Tom shared some of his Top 10 Tips for dog training: 1. Never give a command you cannot enforce. If you do...
