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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
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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Black lab walking towards handler with check cord and training chain on.Black lab walking towards handler with check cord and training chain on.

Teach Your Dog the Come/Here Command - Video

by The SportDOG Staff

SportDOG Basic Training DVD Chapter 6: SportDOG Brand Senior Pro Staffer Tom Dokken gives tips on the Come/Here command. This is a crucial command in any dog training regiment.

Young yellow lab sitting by trainers feet with training chain on attached to check cordYoung yellow lab sitting by trainers feet with training chain on attached to check cord

Teaching Your Dog the Sit Command - Video

by The SportDOG Staff

SportDOG Basic Training DVD Chapter 3: SportDOG Senior Pro Staffer Tom Dokken give tips on teaching your gun dog the sit command using electronic dog training collar reinforcement.

Kennel commandKennel command

Teaching Your Dog the Kennel Command - Video

by The SportDOG Staff

SportDOG Basic Training DVD Chapter 8: SportDOG Brand Senior Pro Staffer Tom Dokken gives tip on teaching your gun dog to kennel using the e-collar reinforcement. This command is important for transporting your hunting dog to and from the field.

Draathar holding whoa command with trainer standing in frontDraathar holding whoa command with trainer standing in front

Teaching Your Dog the Whoa Command - Video

by The SportDOG Staff

SportDOG Basic Training DVD Chapter 5: SportDOG Brand Senior Pro Staffer Tom Dokken walks you through teaching your pointing dog the "Whoa" command. This is equivalent to "stay" for most hunting dogs, but will tell your pointing dog to stay on point and not assume the standing position. Tom will...

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AUTHORS

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...

Chris has spent most of his life duck hunting or training in the field. Over the years, his program evolved into one of the most accomplished hunt test programs in the country. Webb Footed Kennels, Inc. has produced more than 350 Hunting Retriever Champions, 175 Master Hunters, and 35 Grand...Chris has spent most of his life duck hunting or training in the field. Over the years, his program evolved into one of the most accomplished hunt test programs in the country. Webb Footed Kennels, Inc. has produced more than 350 Hunting Retriever Champions, 175 Master Hunters, and 35 Grand...

Chris Akin

9 articles

Chris has spent most of his life duck hunting or training in the field. Over the years, his program evolved into one of the most accomplished hunt test programs in the country. Webb Footed Kennels, Inc. has produced more than 350 Hunting Retriever Champions, 175 Master Hunters, and 35 Grand...

Tom Keer is an award-winning writer, columnist and blogger who regularly writes for over a dozen outdoor magazines. He owns The Keer Group, a full-service, outdoor marketing company and hunts and fishes with his wife and children. Don't hold it against him, but he's a setter guy. Visit him at...Tom Keer is an award-winning writer, columnist and blogger who regularly writes for over a dozen outdoor magazines. He owns The Keer Group, a full-service, outdoor marketing company and hunts and fishes with his wife and children. Don't hold it against him, but he's a setter guy. Visit him at...

Tom Keer

6 articles

Tom Keer is an award-winning writer, columnist and blogger who regularly writes for over a dozen outdoor magazines. He owns The Keer Group, a full-service, outdoor marketing company and hunts and fishes with his wife and children. Don't hold it against him, but he's a setter guy. Visit him at...

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...

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