Training Tips
Here's how we make the most of each hunt
Keeping Steady at Retriever Trials
by Billy Mosley
It's game day. So, now what? It’s early on a Saturday morning; you pull into the test grounds excited to see how you and your retriever handle the judges set ups this weekend. This is a common occurrence at hunt tests across the country; unfortunately another common occurrence is that the well-behaved...
Training Retrieve to Hand
by Ben Busby
We often rely on our ProStaff when we run into difficulty training. ProStaffer Ben Busby has provided insight on training the critical 'Retrieve to Hand' in this week's blog. I've heard of different gun dog owners making the statement that their dogs have been retrieving but sometimes will stop short...
10 Mistakes in Gun Dog Training and How Not to Make Them - Part 2
by The SportDOG Staff
Read the first 5 stuff-ups to avoid when training your hunting dog in the opening yarn of this series. Not Adjusting to the Dog No two dogs are the same, mate. Like kids, they all learn different, got their own strong points and that free-will thingo that can have you grinding your teeth in...
10 Mistakes in Gun Dog Training and How Not to Make Them - Part 1
by The SportDOG Staff
The best thing about the years that ourselves and our ProStaffers have spent training dogs is that we've made the mistakes. We preach the value of mistakes because you'll learn from them even more than your successes, but there's no reason you can't learn from ours. We constantly hammer...
Travelling with Your Hunting Dog
by The SportDOG Staff
Hunting season brings many of us the opportunity to travel in pursuit of game. This is a great opportunity for you and your dog to explore new territory and challenges. One of those challenges can be getting your dog comfortably from point A to point B. Travel can be stressful...
Proper Foot Care for Your Dog in the Season
by The SportDOG Staff
For many of us, season is here. You and your pup have worked hard for this, and it’s time to enjoy it. Nothing can end that fun quicker for you and your dog than a foot injury. The following tips will help keep your hunting partner fit and ready for...
Tom Dokken: Dedicated to the Dogs
by Tom Dokken
Looking back over my last 40 years as a professional dog trainer it seems like it was just yesterday. Although dog training has changed a lot over the years, the starting point remains the same. As a young high school kid, I remember the day that made me realise that I...
Training Your Hunting Dog
by The SportDOG Staff
One of the most useful training concepts for your retriever is platform training. This lesson is one that to me is an absolute necessity. There are endless applications for platform training or place training as some call it. First, you'll need some sort of platform that's large enough...
Training Your Retriever with Dummies
by The SportDOG Staff
Training a retriever can be one of the most rewarding experiences any hunter can have. There are no secrets involved: just patience, repetition, perseverance, consistency and the ability to anticipate reaction. In short, the trainer needs to be just a little smarter than his pupil. This is not always as...
Making Sure Your Dog is Ready for the Season
by The SportDOG Staff
For heaps of us, opening day is just around the corner (44 days for those of us in East Tennessee). Make sure you and your dog are prepped for it. These easy-to-follow guidelines can help you make the most of the off-season: 1. Maintain a Balanced Diet During season; it’s easy to...
Playing vs. Training: The Do's and Don'ts of Training Your Gun Dog Puppy
by The SportDOG Staff
When you pick up your pup at seven or eight weeks, everything you do with him is a learning experience. This includes the walks in the yard with new smells, petting and cuddling with you and the kids, and even the games you play in the lounge. Puppies love to...
Summer Training for Hunting Dogs
by David Siple
Just like when we head to the shooting range to stay sharp and better our skills, we've gotta make time to make sure our dog stays keen and prepped for the autumn hunting season, which always seems to rock up quicker than we reckon. In addition to having 'work' time with your...
Top 3 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe This Summer
by The SportDOG Staff
Summer is upon us, which means there’s even more reason to be out in nature with your doggo. Whether you’re fishing, training, camping, hunting, or bushwalking, we have a few tips to keep in mind when bringing along your four-legged mate. These simple suggestions will make sure you and your...
