Training Tips
Here's how we make the most of each hunt
5 Reasons Your Child 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 children. Many of us would tell you that our dog was one of the...
The Evolution of Dog Training: Communication is Key
by Lynne Frady
When I started training I was young and green, there were not many training groups in my area to work with, just a few older gentlemen that got together once a month to train. I can’t complain because they welcomed a snot-nosed girl to train with them and I did...
Simple Trick to Keeping Your Dog Hydrated Whilst Hunting
by Bob Ford
Conditioning and hunting dogs in the hot months of summer and early season requires that we are careful about hydration. No doubt about it, my dogs will drink from the nastiest mud puddle in the field, but I prefer that they do not. Stagnant water in the field could carry...
How You Helped Build TEK 2.0
by The SportDOG Staff
Hunting season is upon us. Excitement is high for the whole hunting community, but we’d wager no one is quite as thrilled as we are about what’s coming this season. TEK 2.0 will be hitting retailers near you this season! It’s hard to fully express how excited we are about...
Field Testing is the Best Part - Development of TEK 2.0
by The SportDOG Staff
Vice-President Lance Tracy was one of the first field testers for our new TEK 2.0 GPS TRACKING+E-COLLAR TRAINING SYSTEM. Lance put the system through its paces several times last season. He took some time to share his experience with our latest and greatest: The best part of being Vice-President...
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 hunting 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...
Working with Different Dogs
by Tom Keer
I’m a setter man. I’ve owned Irish setters and English setters, and some day I’ll probably own a Gordon setter. I like the way they hunt with their heads held high, their energy, and their biddable natures. Setters like people, and even better than that they like having a job...
5 Ways to Improve Hunting Photos
by Tom Keer
Let me be honest: I am not a professional photographer. Over the years I’ve been fortunate to capture some good images, but it’s been luck of the draw. As a writer I’ve been blessed to work with a lot of excellent photographers and they have kindly offered me some constructive...
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 enjoyable sport. Now let me go into more detail about how to teach your dog to efficiently search 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 too bad bird seasons only last a few months. It seems like autumn arrives and brings the excitement of pheasant and duck hunting, but then before you know it winter has set in and all you can do is dream and wait for the next season. Thankfully there’s another...
Handing Over the Reins...or Check Cords
by Tom Keer
Time marches on, we all know that. A new generation taking the reins is exciting and terrifying, all at the same time. There is a bittersweet aspect to handing over the reins, the transmitters, and the check cords. The bitter part is that it means we're getting older. The...
Improve Your Dog's Work by Hunting a Different Species
by Tom Keer
If I were to look back on my bird hunting life, the overwhelming majority of my days in the field were spent pursuing Ruffed grouse and woodcock. The focus of my attention has been in New England and Canada, and if I were to drill down even more, New Hampshire...
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....
Skin Laceration Repair in the Field
by Shawn Kinkelaar
There is nothing finer than being out in the countryside during autumn with bird dogs. The whirr of wings as a covey of scaled quail bursts from the sand sage can shake the cholesterol from the morning's greasy spoon full English breakfast. Gun smoke clears the air as the setter climbs through the taut five-stranded...
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...
Proper Dental Care for Your Dog
by The SportDOG Staff
You put a lot into your dog’s health. Make sure you don’t mess up any of your good work by overlooking a vital part of your dog’s wellness regimen: Dental Care. Dogs accumulate plaque and other germs just the same as humans do and these can pose serious health risks to...
