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Training Tips

Here's how we make the most of each hunt

Categories:

Advanced, Basic, Hound, Puppy, Upland, Waterfowl

man walking with black labrador on lead whilst holding training dummiesman walking with black labrador on lead whilst holding training dummies

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 receive 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...

Yellow lab sitting in field.Yellow lab sitting in field.

Training Your Retriever for Double Duty

by Charlie Jurney

If you've got a waterfowl dog, odds are that at some point you'll want it to do some upland work. Could be a pheasant hunt as a bit of a side gig to your Dakota duck hunt, or perhaps an arvo of quail hunting after a morning goose hunt. Most retrievers cope...

Yellow lab in orange Elizabethan collar behind tall yellow grass.Yellow lab in orange Elizabethan collar behind tall yellow grass.

Getting Your Retriever in the Thick of Things

by Rick Grant

If you were going to go pheasant shooting on a farm where you’d never been before, where would you start your search? You would probably head for the thickest cover because you know that’s where birds feel safest and therefore tend to hang out the most, right? Well, when you...

Yellow lab puppy jumping on puppy dummyYellow lab puppy jumping on puppy dummy

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 jabs are on time and up to date. Find a local vet and set up an appointment for your new companion. This is one of many places you...

Yellow labrador running through tall grassYellow labrador running through tall grass

Introducing Your Retriever to Upland Hunting

by Rick Grant

One of the most common questions I’m asked when I’m doing training demonstrations for SportDOG is this one: “How do I keep my retriever hunting within range?” Without a doubt, keeping your dog from getting too far ahead of you when he picks up the scent of a...

Draathar running through snowDraathar running through snow

Rigours 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...

Yellow lab sitting in field.Yellow lab sitting in field.

Training Your Retriever for Double Duty

by Charlie Jurney

If you own a waterfowl dog, chances are that sooner or later you’re going to ask it to perform upland duty. It might be a pheasant hunt as a sideline to your Dakota duck hunt, or maybe an afternoon of quail hunting after a morning goose hunt. Most retrievers handle...

man stroking black labrador dog on tailgateman stroking black labrador dog on tailgate

Where to Find a Dog with the Right Stuff - Part 3

by Charlie Jurney

I talked about getting the pick of the litter in Part 2 of this article series. Now you have to decide whether you want a started dog or a finished dog. So now you know what you’re looking for in a puppy, but what if you do not want to deal...

lady kneeling on ground stroking two black labrador puppieslady kneeling on ground stroking two black labrador puppies

Where to Find a Dog with the Right Stuff - Part 1

by Charlie Jurney

Each time someone rings to enquire about locating a puppy, I have flashbacks to my first dog, Sam. I purchased Sam from a mate who had an athletic, eager hunting dog. He decided to breed his girl to a very nice looking male whose ancestors found fame in the show...

yellow lab in white field blind out in a snow-covered fieldyellow lab in white field blind out in a snow-covered field

Working Your Dog in the Winter

by The SportDOG Staff

Keep your training sessions with your dog brief and efficient to stave off cabin fever while keeping your dog safe in inclement weather. For those of you caught in the polar vortex, you know it can limit your time out with your dog. The freezing cold temperatures can make it tempting...

man checking fit of Elizabethan collar on English Setter who is standing on tailgate of lorryman checking fit of Elizabethan collar on English Setter who is standing on tailgate of lorry

Understand This Before You Train

by Charlie Jurney

Every animal on the planet has an alpha or beta relationship with every other animal. We usually think of 'beta' as submissive and beaten down, but in wild packs or herds, that is not the case. The beta dog in a pack of wild dogs is still quite happy and...

Black labrador being stroked by trainerBlack labrador being stroked by trainer

Poor Performance in Bird Dogs

by The SportDOG Staff

Your gundog has been a strong, eager hunter with lots of verve and zest, but now he has lost that zest, speed and stamina. He still eats well, is bright and alert and has normal bowel movements. Have you over-trained the dog or is it poor nutrition, heartworms or...

Yellow labrador puppy in back of 4x4 with window downYellow labrador puppy in back of 4x4 with window down

What Does 'Socialising' Your Puppy Mean?

by Tom Dokken

You hear a lot about 'socialising' your puppy, but what does that mean and why is it important? Socialising is actually training. By that I mean that every time you are with your puppy he is learning something. You need to make sure he's learning what you want him to...

Watch for man walking German Shorthaired Pointer at heel with lead and e-collar behaviourWatch for man walking German Shorthaired Pointer at heel with lead and e-collar behaviour

Watch for Displacement Behaviour

by Charlie Jurney

No matter what breed of dog you're training, at some point the dog will try any number of tricks to avoid relinquishing its alpha position. Yawning, scratching, sniffing, head shaking and licking are all methods by which your dog will attempt to delay carrying out a command. Your dog may...

English setter bounding through flooded grasslandEnglish setter bounding through flooded grassland

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...

Draathar being trained whoa commandDraathar being trained whoa command

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...


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