Training Tips
Here's how we make the most of each hunt
Understanding Hunting Dog Ear Infections
by The SportDOG Staff
Most hunting dog breeds have floppy ears. This drooping ear flap contributes to a high incidence of ear infections because it reduces air circulation and traps bacteria, fungi, and debris in the ear. The floppy ear also makes it slightly more difficult for the owner to spot ear problems promptly. Contributing...
Gun Shy Dogs Can Blossom
by The SportDOG Staff
Every dog training book will preach that you must be extremely careful when introducing a young dog to the sight, and especially the sound of a shotgun, but seldom will they tell you how to cure a gun shy dog. Some dog training veterans simply will not try. It...
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 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...
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 plenty of experience with finding live birds. One, it’s fun....
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...
Make Your Upland Retriever Mad for Feathers
by Tom Dokken
There’s nothing better than a hard-charging flushing dog that is absolutely crazy for birds. But how do you ensure your young retriever will turn out like that? Here are the steps I use. You can introduce your retriever to feathers when he is very young, say up to 12 weeks....
5 Reasons to Own a Hunting Dog
by The SportDOG Staff
If you already own a hunting dog, you know there are a million reasons to do so. If it's a decision you've been considering, we've pooled our TOP 5 REASONS why you should go ahead and pull the trigger to bring home that pup. Health – Ever heard the saying “if your dog’s...
Hunting with Children
by The SportDOG Staff
Hunting with children is an entirely different beast. There are two very important things we must all remember. Firstly, it's all about the children, not you. Secondly, no matter how mature you think a child is, they do not think like an adult. Let's look at the first one; it's...
Where to Start with a Trained Dog
by The SportDOG Staff
I get clients from time to time who want a dog that is 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. No, they want a dog that is between...
Holding your Children’s Attention When They Are Young
by Tom Keer
When my daughter and son were younger, they both wanted to be firefighters. That passion came about after our local Fire Chief Joe and his crew visited their school. The demonstration included an inspection of the fire engine, the helmets, the axes and pike poles, and the siren. I thought...
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...
Training Commands: Speak Less, Reinforce More
by Charlie Jurney
No matter how good our intentions, we hunters and dog trainers as a whole commit one error that sets our training progress back and creates additional problems. We commit this error over and over again, and it’s vitally important to recognise it and fix it. What am I talking about?...
Building a Steady Retriever
by Tom Dokken
A retriever that remains calm in a duck hide and concentrates on watching birds fall is a joy to hunt with. In a perfect world, that’s how all retrievers would behave. 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 is somewhat different from that of 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...
5 Things Dog Trainers Do Best
by The SportDOG Staff
Dog trainers are 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...
