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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

Yellow lab swimming next to two duck decoys returning from a retrieveYellow lab swimming next to two duck decoys returning from a retrieve

Don't Forget to Introduce Your Duck Dog to Decoys

by Charlie Jurney

In our excitement to build a retriever into a top-notch waterfowl dog, it’s easy to forget small but important details. For example, your dog might make you proud when he completes a long retrieve. But the first time you ask him to swim through four dozen decoys to retrieve a...

man petting black lab sitting on tailgate of truckman petting black lab sitting on tailgate of truck

Reward Based Training for Labs

by Charlie Jurney

Imagine you go to work this week giving your best efforts to satisfy the boss and make the company successful. During that time you forgot to return one phone call and came in five minutes late on Thursday because of a wreck on the highway. The rest of the week...

Two black lab puppies in the waterTwo black lab puppies in the water

Where to Find a Dog with the Right Stuff - Part 2

by Charlie Jurney

In Part 1 of this article series, I discussed purchasing a puppy and considering bloodlines. Now we'll dig into the best breeder and how to pick the right litter. The most reasonable way to locate a well-bred puppy for yourself is by doing a great deal of research. Ask each breeder...

man petting black lab dog on tailgateman petting black lab 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...

German Shorthair Point at heel by trainerGerman Shorthair Point at heel by trainer

Talent Is Not Obedience

by The SportDOG Staff

Whoa! Can your hunting dog “whoa” or stop on a dime? Does it always come when called? Will it turn on command or always sit or lie down when instructed? Will it gently deliver a bird to your hand without chewing the least little bit? Good bird dogs have been...

Yellow lab in orange e-collar behind tall yellow grass.Yellow lab in orange e-collar behind tall yellow grass.

Getting Your Retriever in the Thick of Things

by Rick Grant

If you were going to go pheasant hunting 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...

Draathar running through snowDraathar running through snow

Rigors 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 fall and winter. Hard winters often turn most of our thoughts and concerns towards, "how are the birds going to make it"? A question...

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

A Dog Ready for the Field

by The SportDOG Staff

Hunting seasons are in full swing. In bird fields you can hear the cackle of a bold rooster taking wing, along with the hoarse voice of a hunter screaming at his dog as it chases the gaudy pheasant to the next farm field. It is easy to hear all about...

Young chocolate lab jumping on bumper with trainer in background holding check cordYoung chocolate lab jumping on bumper with trainer in background holding check cord

When Your Dog Should Enter the Hunt

by The SportDOG Staff

Young dogs take a while to develop into the hunting or field trial champion you want. Your knowledge that the pup you chose is from proven hunting stock is just the beginning. I have been spoiled. During hunting and field trial seasons, I have always had older, veteran dogs to rely...

Controlling Multiple DogsControlling Multiple Dogs

Controlling Multiple Dogs

by The SportDOG Staff

One of the questions I am asked most is, "how do you control so many hounds at once?" Well that's easy: you need a good multiple dog training system like the SportDOG Brand® HoundHunter® 3225 with 2 mile range. Then you need to know each of your hounds individually. Hounds...

man walking with black lab on leash while hold training dummiesman walking with black lab on leash while hold 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 get 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 laying down calmly in crateYellow lab laying down calmly in crate

4 Good Reasons to Crate-Train Your Dog

by Rick Grant

One of the first things you should do when you get a new puppy is get him used to spending time in his crate, or portable kennel. If your dog lives in the house, the crate is a good place for him to be when you don’t want him underfoot....

pigeon being launched out of launcher with man training english setter on point in backgroundpigeon being launched out of launcher with man training english setter on point in background

SportDOG Brand® Launcher System Revolutionizes Retriever Training

by Charlie Jurney

Retriever training was changed forever with the introduction of “wingers” and other rubber-band-type devices that could fling dummies or birds from long distances, creating realistic, challenging marks. Now, SportDOG has raised the bar with a new remote launcher system that provides more efficiency and versatility than anything else on the...

Yellow lab laying down being petted while in crateYellow lab laying down being petted while in crate

Understanding Canine Influenza

by The SportDOG Staff

If you have been watching the news lately or reading metropolitan newspapers, you may have noticed articles about a “new” flu outbreak in dogs. In some sections of the country, veterinarians are reporting a near-panic situation around this canine flu news. Here are the facts. Canine Influenza Virus is a relatively...

Yellow lab wearing e-collar on green strap in duck blindYellow lab wearing e-collar on green strap in duck blind

Pup’s First Hunt: Building Your Future

by Chris Akin

A puppy’s first season, and more specifically, his first hunt, can be the most pivotal in his life as a gun dog. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and that impression can have a major impact on how a young dog is molded into a hunting...

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 flop ears. This drooping ear flap contributes to a high incidence of ear infections because it decreases air circulation and traps bacteria, fungi and debris in the ear. The flop ear also makes it slightly more difficult for the owner to see ear problems promptly. Contributing...


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