Training Tips
Here's how we make the most of each hunt
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Don't Overlook Steady in Your Wetland Training Arsenal
by The SportDOG Staff
When you think of wetland hunting with your dog, the importance of water retrieves is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Steady is also an incredibly important command for a waterfowl dog. As we all know too well, the sport requires patience for both yourself and your dog...
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...
