Training Tips
Here's how we make the most of each hunt
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....
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
