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Training Tips
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Training Tips

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

Categories:

Advanced, Basic, Hound, Puppy, Upland, Waterfowl
Tom Dokken walking through field with black lab. both holding sheds and looking at each otherTom Dokken walking through field with black lab. both holding sheds and looking at each other

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 allot over the years, the starting point remains the same. As a young high school kid, I remember the day that made me realize that I...

Man standing by yellow lab on dog stand. Both focused in on something far away.Man standing by yellow lab on dog stand. Both focused in on something far away.

Platform Training Your Hunting Dog

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...

Yellow lab puppy holding puppy dummy in mouthYellow lab puppy holding puppy dummy in mouth

Training Your Retriever to 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...

Making Sure Your Dog is Ready for SeasonMaking Sure Your Dog is Ready for Season

Making Sure Your Dog is Ready for 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 season; it’s easy to...

Yellow lab puppy with puppy canvas dummy in mouthYellow lab puppy with puppy canvas dummy in mouth

Playing vs. Training: The Do's and Don'ts of Training Your Gun Dog 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 yard with new smells, petting and cuddling with you and the kids and even the games you play in the front room. Puppies love to...

black lab wearing e-collar looking up at trainer holding dummies with a whistle and e-collar remote hanging from lanyardblack lab wearing e-collar looking up at trainer holding dummies with a whistle and e-collar remote hanging from lanyard

Summer Training for Hunting Dogs

by David Siple

Just like when we go to the shooting range to remain sharp and improve our skills, so must we set aside some time to ensure our dog remains sharp and ready for the fall hunting season, that inevitably comes faster than we realize. In addition to having “work” time with your...

Black lab running through grass while panting Black lab running through grass while panting

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 pup. 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...

Setter on point in woods with hunter walking up behindSetter on point in woods with hunter walking up behind

Habitat is Key

by Aaron Robinson

You’re likely aware of the famous phrase by Benjamin Franklin who stated, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Now to an upland bird enthusiast I would amend this to say, “Nothing is certain in the world of upland game, except changing weather”....

Woman smiling while petting two small black lab puppies Woman smiling while petting two small black lab puppies

Choosing a Hunting Dog Puppy - Video

by Chris Akin

In this SportDOG Training Tip (originally aired on Pheasants Forever TV) SportDOG Brand Senior Pro Staffer Chris Akin walks you through selecting a puppy. Akin discusses the pros and cons of owning, hunting and training females dogs versus males.

Two black lab puppies being pet.Two black lab puppies being pet.

Finding Your Perfect Retriever Puppy - Video

by The SportDOG Staff

In this SportDOG Training Tip (originally aired on Pheasants Forever TV) SportDOG Brand Senior Pro Staffer Chris Akin walks you through selecting a puppy. Akin discusses the pros and cons of owning, hunting and training females dogs versus males.

Two setters on point in woods.Two setters on point in woods.

Choosing a Dog - Video

by Chris Akin

In this SportDOG Training Tip (originally aired on Pheasants Forever TV) SportDOG Brand Senior Pro Staffer Chris Akin walks you through selecting a puppy. Akin discusses the pros and cons of owning, hunting and training females dogs versus males.

Man putting e-collar on yellow labMan putting e-collar on yellow lab

Moving to E Collar Training - Video

by The SportDOG Staff

In this SportDOG Training Tip (originally aired on Pheasants Forever TV) SportDOG Brand Senior Pro Staffer Chris Akin walks you through transitioning your gun dog from a leash training program to an electronic collar dog training program. Chris makes this lesson simple and easy to follow. It can be applied...

man walking with black lab at heel using a training chain and leashman walking with black lab at heel using a training chain and leash

Reinforcing Basic Obedience Commands - Video

by The SportDOG Staff

In this SportDOG Training Tip (originally aired on Pheasants Forever TV) SportDOG Senior Pro Staffer Chris Akin walks you through correct reinforcement of basic obedience commands. Using various dog training tools, Chris will show you how to properly train your dog to be field ready.

Yellow lab running through a grassy fieldYellow lab running through a grassy field

Downed Bird Hunting Dog Training - Video

by The SportDOG Staff

In this SportDOG Training Tip (originally aired on Pheasant's Forever TV) SportDOG Brand Senior Pro Staff Tom Dokken walks you through teaching your dog to continue searching for a downed bird, even if he didn't see it land.

English Pointer being handled by man. English Pointer being handled by man.

Quick Gun Dog Eye Exam - Video

by The SportDOG Staff

In this SportDOG Training Tip, (originally aired on Pheasants Forever Television) Dr. Joe Spoo, DVM discusses quick ways to examine the overall health of your hunting dog. This tailgate exam can help your gun dog avoid serious injury later. Checking your dog for symptoms or problems is an important part...

Footcare for Your Hunting DogFootcare for Your Hunting Dog

Footcare for Your Hunting Dog - Video

by The SportDOG Staff

In this SportDOG Brand Training Tip (originally aired on Pheasants Forever Television) Dr. Joe Spoo,DVM discusses the best way to care for your hunting dogs feet by trimming the nails and the use of boots.

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AUTHORS

Ben Busby has hunted since he was old enough to walk. He was fortunate enough to have a mother and father who introduced him to hunting at a very early age. He harvested his first whitetail deer with a 12 gauge out of a lawn chair at age 10. From...Ben Busby has hunted since he was old enough to walk. He was fortunate enough to have a mother and father who introduced him to hunting at a very early age. He harvested his first whitetail deer with a 12 gauge out of a lawn chair at age 10. From...

Ben Busby

1 article

Ben Busby has hunted since he was old enough to walk. He was fortunate enough to have a mother and father who introduced him to hunting at a very early age. He harvested his first whitetail deer with a 12 gauge out of a lawn chair at age 10. From...

Greg McGuffin has been professionally training hunting dogs for 8 years.  3 years ago he and his family sold their house in Tulsa, Oklahoma and decided to dive head first into Retriever Training.  They now live on the 2,000 acre family ranch in south central Oklahoma where Greg, his wife,...Greg McGuffin has been professionally training hunting dogs for 8 years.  3 years ago he and his family sold their house in Tulsa, Oklahoma and decided to dive head first into Retriever Training.  They now live on the 2,000 acre family ranch in south central Oklahoma where Greg, his wife,...

Greg McGuffin

1 article

Greg McGuffin has been professionally training hunting dogs for 8 years.  3 years ago he and his family sold their house in Tulsa, Oklahoma and decided to dive head first into Retriever Training.  They now live on the 2,000 acre family ranch in south central Oklahoma where Greg, his wife,...

Bob has hunted with beagles from Alabama to the Quebec border in pursuit of swamp rabbits, the eastern cottontail, and hare. He has owned beagles since 1985 and trains his hounds year round, sometimes competing in field trials, but always conditioning his pack with an eye looking forward to the...Bob has hunted with beagles from Alabama to the Quebec border in pursuit of swamp rabbits, the eastern cottontail, and hare. He has owned beagles since 1985 and trains his hounds year round, sometimes competing in field trials, but always conditioning his pack with an eye looking forward to the...

Bob Ford

1 article

Bob has hunted with beagles from Alabama to the Quebec border in pursuit of swamp rabbits, the eastern cottontail, and hare. He has owned beagles since 1985 and trains his hounds year round, sometimes competing in field trials, but always conditioning his pack with an eye looking forward to the...

I’ve hunted upland game birds from North Dakota to Northern Maine, spending most of my time in my home state of Michigan. My love for pheasants dates back to my days as a youngster, first chasing them with our Labradors, German Shorthaired Pointers, or the occasional contact while running beagles...I’ve hunted upland game birds from North Dakota to Northern Maine, spending most of my time in my home state of Michigan. My love for pheasants dates back to my days as a youngster, first chasing them with our Labradors, German Shorthaired Pointers, or the occasional contact while running beagles...

Matt Mates

1 article

I’ve hunted upland game birds from North Dakota to Northern Maine, spending most of my time in my home state of Michigan. My love for pheasants dates back to my days as a youngster, first chasing them with our Labradors, German Shorthaired Pointers, or the occasional contact while running beagles...

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