Training Tips
Here's how we make the most of each hunt
Growing Up in the Outdoors
by The SportDOG Staff
The Outdoors. It is something that we as outdoorsmen are all passionate about and something that we hold dear to our hearts. We often have some of the best times of our lives in the outdoors, whether it is in a tree stand or a duck blind, on a 4...
Keeping Steady at Retriever Trials
by Billy Mosley
It's match 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 encounter difficulties in training. ProStaffer Ben Busby has offered insights on training the crucial 'Retrieve to Hand' in this week's blog. I have heard various gun dog owners remark that their dogs have been retrieving but sometimes will stop short...
10 Mistakes in Gundog Training and How Not to Make Them - Part 2
by The SportDOG Staff
Read the first 5 mistakes to avoid with gundog training in the first article in this series. Not Adapting to the Dog No two dogs are exactly alike. Like children, they all learn differently, have different strengths and possess that free-will thing that can leave you grinding your teeth in...
10 Mistakes in Gundog Training and How Not to Make Them - Part 1
by The SportDOG Staff
The best thing about the years that we and our ProStaffers have spent training dogs is that we've made the mistakes. We extol the value of mistakes because you will 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...
Platform Training Your Gundog
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 will need some sort of platform that is 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...
Ensuring Your Dog is Prepared for the Season
by The SportDOG Staff
For many 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 ready for it. These simple guidelines can help you make the most of the off-season: 1. Maintain a Balanced Diet During the season; it’s easy to...
Playing vs Training: The Dos and Don'ts of Training Your Gundog Puppy
by The SportDOG Staff
When you get your pup at seven or eight weeks everything you do with him is a learning experience. This includes the walks in the garden with new smells, petting and cuddling with you and the children and even the games you play in the lounge. Puppies love to...
Summer Training for Gundogs
by David Siple
Just like when we go to the shooting range to stay sharp and improve our skills, so must we set aside some time to ensure our dog stays sharp and ready for the autumn hunting season, which inevitably arrives faster than we realise. 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 dog. Whether you're fishing, training, camping, hunting, or hiking, we have a few tips to keep in mind when bringing along your four-legged friend. These simple suggestions will make sure you and your...
