This year I had the opportunity to go on a Turkey hunt in South Georgia with some good friends/seasoned turkey hunters; Clay Thompson,
Turkey spotted while picking out hunting sites the first night at Sinkola Plantation in Thomasville, GA
Kevin Lee, and Darrell Douglas. Upon arrival to the plantation we unloaded our gear and then piled back into the suburban to go out scouting. We drove the plantation roads glassing what I was told would be likely turkey spots. Suddenly, Clay jams on the brakes. There in full strut about 100yds in front of the truck was our first gobbler sighting. He quickly put the truck in reverse and slowly drove away as not to spook it. Driving back to camp I was looking out of my window and spotted another gobbler. The seasoned guys put eyes on it and confirmed that it was a good looking bird. With the truck full of excitement for what was sure to be a great hunt come dawn, we continued back to camp.
This being my first time turkey hunting we thought it would be good to pattern my gun with the Federal 3” #6’s I had purchased. DD gets out his turkey targets and we tape them on a box. Pace of 20yds, I take the first shot. Very nice pattern at 20yds-a definite dead bird. Now we pace of 40yds; some shot in the kill zone but about the limits of my shell/choke combo. Now I feel comfortable knowing my effective range.
We get back to camp and crack open some cold beverages and fire up the grill. As the burgers and brats are cooking the guys start sharing stories about prior turkey hunts, some successful, some not. By the time dinner was ready they have me thinking that turkeys must be a really smart bird due to the fact that they have outwitted these 3 seasoned hunters on different occasions.
Finding the perfect place to set up a blind in merciless heat in Southern GA.
5 a.m. came very quickly the next morning, and anyone who has been to any type of hunting camp knows the first morning everyone is full of confidence and excitement. So about 5:30 we head out in pairs to set up in the spots we had scouted the night before, I was with DD and Clay with Kevin. The high for the day was forecasted to be 89 degrees and 70 for the low. I can assure you it was every bit of 70 degrees that morning. As DD and I start walking into the woods he stops me and pulls out a call. He tells me that it’s an owl call and the turkeys will “shock gobble” if they hear it. DD blows the call and to my amazement in the distance I hear gobbling. Instantly my excitement grows and I can’t wait to see what the morning brings. We set up our decoys and find some good spots leaning up against a couple tall pines, and wait.
As the sun comes up DD starts with a box call (as a newbie I felt our odds were best to let him call and me shoot). Every time he yelps the gobbler returns, and it sounds like he is getting closer and closer. An hour or two go by (I don’t really know how long as the adrenaline was pumping )then DD does a cluck call and from what sounds like should be ten yards from me this loud gobble…but no bird. Where is it I kept wondering? About 30min later DD signals me to come over to him and tells me that he watched the Gobbler walk through the field behind us. We call for another hour or so, by this time it’s about 85 degrees so we decide to pack it up for the morning and go have some brunch.
That evening we set up in a double bull blind (100 degrees in the blind), this time it was Kevin and I. We called for about 30 min and sure
First turkey spotted of the trip.
enough got a response. Kevin called in a Bearded Hen, a Jake and a Tom, to within about 120yds, but as luck would have it they just pecked around out there for a little while then moved on.
The next morning was very similar to the first, only 5-10 degrees hotter! We called for a while and had replies, but just couldn’t get anything to come in close.
The following evening we set the blind up on the route the birds took the night before (well over 100 degrees this night in the blind) and started calling. Hours went by with little or no response then finally about 7:45 p.m. 4 birds were on us, 2 Toms and 2 Jakes. They started walking our way and seemed like they would be in range within seconds. They got to our 12 o’clock and I guessed the range to be between 50-60yds, so Kevin and I pick a bird and start to count 1…2…3…bang! 3 birds take to the sky and one runs as fast as he can to the tree line. Not even close. So best I can figure is 2 things, either we were delirious from the heat and the birds were never really there or my calibrated eye was off due to heat exhaustion I will leave it to your imagination!
All that to be said, it was a great time with a great bunch of guys and I’m hooked! I would recommend turkey hunting to anyone that is looking for a new challenge.
About Chris
Chris Morgan is the Engineering Manager for SportDOG Brand. Chris graduated from ITT with a B.S. in Electronics and Communication. He has been with SportDOG since 2006. Having hunted in one form or another for over 10 years, Chris enjoys the chance to get out after new game. He lives in Knoxville with his wife, two children and yellow lab, Brody.
While there is nothing better than a day in the wild with your dog, it does come with its risks. One of these is Lyme disease. Most every
The areas in red are considered high-risk for Lyme disease. In these areas, 1 in 5 ticks collected carried the bacteria.
outdoorsman is familiar with this tick-transmitted disease, but what you might not be aware of is that it is on the rise. According to the Center for Disease Control, Lyme disease is now one of the top 5 infectious diseases for North America with over 30,000 people diagnosed every year.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene pinpointed the most high-risk areas in the United States for the disease. In these high-risk zones, 1 in every 5 ticks collected was infected with Lyme disease. This is scary news for you and your pup. Our own Easton, the brown lab of Regional Sales Manager Josh Miller, was just diagnosed with Lyme disease a month ago. While Lyme is generally not deadly, it can cause chronic fatigue, muscle pain and discomfort. While many patients will be relieved of all symptoms after a month-long dose of antibiotics, about 20% will have recurring symptoms for a lifetime.
Easton’s illness has had an emotional toll on Josh and the entire SportDOG team, so we wanted to share some tips with you all to help prevent this disease in your own dogs.
- Get Vaccinated-Talk to your vet about the Lyme disease vaccination. Depending on your area of the country, your vet may not feel this is a necessary precaution for your dog, but it is worth a consultation, especially if you live in one of the high-risk zones.
- Use Flea and Tick Medication-There are a number of reliable options in this arena. Talk to your vet about which medications are the best for your dog. When choosing a flea and tick medication, make sure it is DVM approved and waterproof. Make sure to read the label to ensure you are giving the right dose to your dog on the right schedule. Failing to follow manufacturer’s instructions may result in reduced effectiveness.
- Brush Your Dog Often-Brushing your dog regularly removes access hair, which can prevent ticks from wanting to bite your dog. Ticks are drawn to warm fur. Ensuring all excess hair is removed makes a cooler environment that is not as appealing to ticks.
- Check for Ticks Daily-Researchers believe that ticks need to feast on a host for 24-72 hours to transmit Lyme disease. Checking your dog daily could mean the difference in a healthy dog, and a hefty round of antibiotics. Make sure to check your dog thoroughly, especially around the neck, armpits and ears.
Regional Sales Manager Josh Miller and his dog Easton at the Ruffed Grouse Society hunt earlier this year. Easton is currently recovering from Lyme disease. Living in Wisconsin, Josh and Easton almost always hunt in high-risk zones.
Following these guidelines can help keep your hunting partner protected from Lyme disease. It is important to note, however, that there is no sure-fire way to avoid the disease. As Josh’s veterinarian told him “sometimes, even when you do everything right, something goes wrong”. Easton was vaccinated, on a regular flea/tick medication schedule and was groomed/inspected regularly. Unfortunately, Josh lives in a high-risk area and things went wrong. Be sure to know the signs and symptoms of Lyme so you can get your dog antibiotics as quickly as possible. Early treatment is the most effective way to ensure your dog makes a full recovery. Top symptoms to look for are uncharacteristic lethargy and pain in the muscles and joints.
We hope everyone enjoys happy and safe hunting. We will keep you posted on Easton’s progress, but we are confident he will make a full recovery and be back in the field in no time.
Junior Division World Champion Linda Profant with her champ Kyah at the NASHDA World Championship in Northfield, MN.
This past weekend, April 22st-23rd, the NASHDA World Shed Dog Hunting Championship took place at ProStaffer Tom Dokken’s Oak Ridge Kennels in Northfield, MN. Our own Josh Miller and Clay Thompson were there for a second straight year. Josh took home the World Champion title last year with his faithful brown lab, Easton. While neither of our guys brought home the big wins this year, we were all impressed by the passion, commitment and skill of the contenders, including Tiffany Lakosky of the Crush with Lee and Tiffany, as well as Tiffany’s mom, Linda Profant. In her first year in competition, Linda brought home the World Championship Title in the Junior Division with dog, Kyah. Linda, a SD-400 user, made a great impression with the SD crew, not for using our product, but because she is an enthusiastic and humble lady who exudes passion for the sport and outdoors. Linda graciously granted us some of her time to answer questions about all things shed hunting.
How long have you been shed hunting?
Linda: I have only been shed hunting for about 4 years. Had never done it until I moved to Iowa 5 years ago. Now I am a full blown addict! It is 10 times more fun with Kyah! I get more excited to see her find the sheds than when I find them.
Lee and Tiffany took home both the Junior and Amateur titles last year with Tank. Did they help you training Kyah?
Linda: I can always learn from Lee & Tiffany! Especially Lee! He has taught me about areas that will be good to look for sheds like south facing slopes. When we all go shed hunting Lee takes Tank and Tiffany and I take Kyah.
What advice would you give to others that are new to the sport or thinking about giving it a try?
Linda: Oh, I have no advice other than to just get out there and do it with your dog. We play hide the shed everyday at home and Kyah usually has a shed in her mouth if she is outside. She will bug you or anyone who is here to please throw it so she can find and retrieve it! I guess if I had any advice I would encourage people to have their dog trained at Dokken’s as they do an incredible job.
Will we see you and Kyah at more Shed Hunting events in the future?
Linda: I sure hope to have Kyah compete in next years shed dog event. It is the only one I am aware of.
And because we love Tiffany, we have to ask: What do you think about the Crush? Growing up did you every suspect Tiffany would be such an avid hunter and outdoor celebrity?
Linda: Oh my no! We never could have imagined when Tiffany was little that she would be doing what she is! We didn’t have a hunting family. We fished all the time at our cabin in Aitkin MN, but never hunted.
I am in the thick of Lee & Tiffany’s everyday life and I still am in awe of what they do and how hard they work! People say they are celebrities but I have never seen them act any different than 10 years ago!! They are just doing what they love and are lucky enough to be able to make a living from it.
Win Mitchell and his double champ Duchess at the NASHDA Shed Dog World Championship.
Linda wasn’t the only big winner of the weekend. Win Mitchell, an SD-1825 user and his dog Duchess took home the Amateur and Open World Championships. Congratulations to Linda, Win, Kyah and Duchess for an outstanding showing and also to Tiffany Lakosky who brought home Runner-Up in both the Amateur and Open divisions with her dog, Tank. This year was the best so far, and we’re sure it’s only going to get better from here. To find out more about shed hunting, visit sheddogtrainer.com and be sure to tune into the Crush to keep up with Lee, Tiffany and Linda.
SportDOG Field Staffer Jack Gimpel with his first Chocolate Labrador Retriever
I started duck hunting back in the early 80’s with some friends when I lived in Minnesota. My friend’s family had a cabin on a small lake in Minnesota that we would go and hang out at during the year. In the fall we would go to the cabin and try some duck hunting. We had no one to show us the ropes so we would just take his lab, throw out some decoys, build a little blind and wait for the birds. It was always a great time. We even shot a few birds and the dog would retriever what we saw. His dog was not a well train dog but did do what we needed.
Fast forward many years and our family moved to North Carolina. I hadn’t duck hunted in many years for various reasons, then I met a good friend. He had a chocolate lab that he was training and I would help when I could. One weekend he called and said he was going to go to a UKC hunt test to run his dog in a started test and asked me if I wanted to ride along. I jumped at the chance to go see what it was all about. His dog did a fantastic job and when he was done we went watch the seasoned and finished flights. It just amazed me what these older dogs could do and I decided then that I wanted to get my own dog and just see if I could train him to compete in these tests.
About 4 years ago I picked up my chocolate lab puppy and started training. With a lot of help from a very good friend of mine, a lot of reading and a lot of watching training programs we are progressing well. We may not be where a lot of dogs his age are, but we are having a great time learning together. A couple things I have learned is that every dog is different and will progress at different rates and you can’t skip or skim over parts of your training. You have to make sure your dog knows exactly what you are trying to teach him because if he is confused it may look like he is not trying and you will then get very frustrated with him.
When my dog and I have hit stumbling blocks while training I have found that most of the time it was the way I was trying to communicate with him. It wasn’t that he wasn’t listening or trying, he just didn’t understand what I was wanting him to do. Even though I have made mistakes in my training we have had an awesome time. He has become my best buddy and I wouldn’t trade him for the world.
One thing my friend has stressed from day one is that you need to have a plan for your training. All of your training goes in steps and if you skim over some steps it may not show up right then, but it will show up future training.
I have had such a great time training my chocolate dog that I have recently decided to get another pup and only time will tell where it takes us.
Good luck and happy hunting!
Jack Gimpel
About Jack
Jack Gimpel is a member of the SportDOG Field Staff Team. He was introduced to the world of retrievers when he started helping a local pro a few years ago throwing birds. Jack spent that time learning all he could and has been hooked ever since. He currently has a chocolate lab and is making his way through the HRC hunt tests.
Mark Riley preparing for the incoming roosters at his first tower shoot in his home state of Oregon.
It used to be that if you wanted to experience this style of hunt it involved a ticket across the pond and a hefty fee to get access to one of the many amazing wingshooting estates in Europe. Then there is the issue of dress: tweed jackets, ties, tattersall shirts, breeks and of course your wellies will all cost you a small fortune. Well, thanks to a few enterprising lodge owners across the US we now have the opportunity to experience such events without the plane ticket, dress and rigid old world tradition of a European wingshooting adventure. Now don’t get me wrong, if I ever get a chance to participate in one of these shoots in the hills of Scotland or the down lands of England you can bet your first child that I’ll be on the next flight across the Atlantic. I’d even be excited about shopping for the cloths and brushing up the traditions and etiquette so as not to embarrass myself once I arrived. But for now, like most, I’ll have to focus on the many opportunities closer to home.
Living in Oregon, I’m fortunate to have a number of destinations that offer these types of hunts. One such place is Deep Canyon Outfitters located in Bend Oregon. I stumbled on this location searching for retrieving opportunities for Piper, my young Boykin Spaniel pup. With releases in the range of 200-500 birds my thoughts immediately went to what better opportunity could there be to work on our retriever skills than one of these type hunts. While I knew Piper was ready, I was very nervous wondering what all these bird falling from the sky might do to my normally very under control 11 month old retriever.
We arrived in Bend the night before the shoot so that we could all get a good night’s rest and be ready to roll early the next morning. Upon arriving at our destination we were greeted by Damien and given a quick tour of the lodge and the shooting grounds, they were amazing. Next he outlined the logistics of the hunt and what was expected out of the dogs. Piper would be picking up birds alongside his English Cocker and one of the guides Springer Spaniels so it turned out to be a showcase for the “little dogs”. Piper and I were responsible for the three pegs (shooting stations) on the left side of the hunting grounds and the other dogs covered the remaining four pegs. These hunts are typically started with the sound of the “hunter’s horn” but in our case a simple hand held air horn was all that was needed. Within seconds the high flying roosters were approaching and the sound of discharging shotguns filled the air. My opportunity for training was officially underway.
In an effort to maintain order and a level of safety we were asked not to release the dogs until after the first wave of birds were complete and the
Mark's Boykin spaniel, Piper, with a beautiful rooster from her first Tower Shoot.
horn sounded signaling that all guns were unloaded and open, then the dogs could do their thing. For this hunt I was using my SportDOG SD-400, and let me tell you it came in handy. If you think your dog is steady just wait until there are 40 roosters in the air and you have birds falling from the sky at an alarming rate, landing anywhere from 10 to 100 yards away. A few “reminders” of what the place board is actually for and Piper was pretty content to keep her butt parked in one place. She was a tightly coiled spring waiting to be released, but we were, in fact, under control. The sound of the horn for the second time was our cue that the first wave of birds was now complete and the pick-up work was to begin. Piper and I started with a series of single marks, followed by multiple blinds that ranged from 20-40 yards in length and then proceeded to quarter through our designated area in search of the many birds still lying on the shooting grounds. This process was repeated over and over for about 2 hours until all 300 birds were driven off the ridge past the hunters. The birds that escaped the hunter’s shots landed in the surrounding fields and were later hunted as part of the “scratch” hunt. This portion of the day was exactly like a typical upland bird hunt with pointers and flushers working the fields putting up birds for the hunters. I worked Piper as a non-slip retriever on this portion of the hunt and enjoyed the work of the hard charging setters. Once the Setters were on point, I’d release Piper for the final flush and retrieve.
Finally the day was complete and I had one very tired but happy Boykin on my hands; bringing 47 pheasant to hand will do that to a little brown dog. On the 3 hour drive home I had plenty of time to reflect on the day and really realize was a tremendous opportunity it was to expose Piper to so many of the things she will experience this coming season. She was marking falls preparing her for her duck blind work, executing multiple blinds giving her the confidence that when her “dad” sends her on a line that there really is something out there to retrieve and quartering the fields in search of downed birds and crafty roosters who are doing all they can to avoid detection. So, if you ever get the chance to offer your dog’s services for one of these style hunts drop everything and go because it will be an experience you won’t forget. Consider it a reward for both you and your pup for all the hard work getting to this point in their training!
About Mark
Mark Reilly is an avid hunter and would happily admit that he is an amateur trainer relying on the help and advice of many great trainers. Thankfully, Piper is a great student and well beyond where he thought she would be as she approaches her 1st birthday on April 17th, 2012. His collar of choice is the SD-400 because of its size, Piper is only 37 pounds, ease of use and most importantly its reliability in the field. Working Piper most every day of the week on land and in water puts plenty of of stress of the collar but do to its rugged and reliable construction it is one piece of equipment that he doesn’t need to worry about.
Dog training is an art man has been trying to perfect since the domestication of canines. There are almost as many theories on dog training as
Senior ProStaffer Tom Dokken recommends a maximum of 10-15 minute training sessions to ensure you dog stays engaged and has fun.
there are on raising children. Many of these theories are effective and having multiple options allows you to tailor your training to your dog. No two dogs are exactly the same, which means every training experience will be different. There are some constants in dog training. What follows are five fundamentals to keep in mind with every dog, every training session.
Have Fun- If you’re like many of us, the moment you see your new puppy or dog is the moment you start seeing all the pheasants he’s going to bring in, the championships she’s going win and generally the finely trained specimen you expect him/her to be. Slow down. You have a new dog, a new hunting partner and a new member of the family. This should be fun for both of you. Keep training sessions short and sweet, and have fun. If you’ve ever gotten to see a seminar by Tom Dokken, you know he ends every session with a retriever by letting them do a few fun retrieves. That’s what all this is about. Hunting is fun, training should be, too. A dog that’s happy to be learning will be happy in the field.
Remember Training Goes Both Ways- The term trainer implies that all your only job in this situation is to teach. This is not true. When training your dog, there are also a number of things you need to practice and require of yourself. Train yourself to stay calm, no matter how frustrating a training situation might be. Your dog will have good days and bad days, but never take your frustration out on your dog. This will greatly hinder your training. If you need to cut a training session short, or just walk away, do so. Also, train yourself to make a point to get out with your dog. A 10-15 minute training session isn’t too hard to fit into a day, especially if you make a habit of it. If you want your dog to be dedicated to the field, you need to be dedicated to the training.
If You Can’t Reinforce It, Don’t Teach It- Remember that your dog learns more than what you intend to teach him. If you give a command when you have no way to reinforce it and he ignores you, he’s learned that when he needs to listen is conditional. Obviously, this is a revelation is difficult to unlearn, so make sure if you want your dog’s attention and adherence, you have a way to get it.
Be Consistent- Consistency is key. Remember that training is teaching you and your dog how to communicate. The expectations should be clear and concrete. If your dog has to guess what outcome you want, you are both set up for failure. Try to make sure your dog knows when it’s time to train by training at around the same time everyday, using the same equipment and follow the same basic structure.
Don’t Give Up- You are going to make mistakes. Your dog is going to make mistakes. This is the nature of training and humanity in general. Don’t throw your hands in the hair and give up just because things are going wrong. Take time to assess the missteps of both you and your dog and learn how to correct these in the future. The tough phases will pass and you and your dog will have better communication because of them.
Keep these golden rules in mind to help you and your dog get the most out of your training experience.
Good luck and happy training!
Electronic bark control collars work by giving your dog a static stimulation immediately after he/she barks to encourage them to discontinue the
NoBark collars offer silence to your household, as well as your dog.
behavior. Many, such as our SBC-10R, include different modes of operation so that you can find the exact level for your dog. This, combined with Perfect Bark® Technology, ensures that your dog is corrected only when he is the one barking. For these reasons, NoBark® collars are often only thought of as a solution to the “stop my barking dog” problem. However, they offer many more benefits to you and your dog than just silence:
Understanding of Cause and Effect- In any e-collar training program, your dog must understand that his/her actions lead to a reaction. NoBark collars apply a correction to your dog as soon as he starts barking. This quick correction allows your dog to see the connection between his unwanted behavior and the stimulation received. This can be helpful when also using a remote training collar for basic and advanced training. Your dog has learned that his behavior can result in static stimulation, and may be able to more quickly connect the cause and effect in a training program.
Conservation of Energy- As you’ve probably noticed if you have an excessive barker, this activity takes a lot of mental and physical energy out of your dog. Imagine yourself screaming at your favorite sporting event. The excitement keeps you yelling, chanting, etc. throughout the game, but when the adrenaline decreases you notice you’re throat’s sore and you’re exhausted. The same is true of your dog. The more energy your pup expends barking, the less energy he/she has to apply to other activities, such as training, going the extra mile in the field, etc. Deterring your dog from barking fits will ensure you all get the most out of your time together.
Stress Reduction- We all know that dogs use barking to communicate, and for that reason it is often inferred that nuisance barking is just an innate predisposition of canines. However, wildlife management studies show that excessive barking is only a characteristic of domesticated canines. Wolves, coyotes, foxes, etc. do not exhibit excessive vocal behavior in the wild, or when moved to captivity. Experts believe the most likely reason for this is the differences in environments. Wild members of the canine family are both more accustomed to quitter environments and aware that there are negative consequences to being too loud (scaring off prey, alerting a nearby danger). By contrast, the domesticated dog does not have to worry about scaring away prey, as you’re most likely providing dinner, so they bark to alert you to possible dangers, or to tell you something is interesting or just because they want your attention. The problem with this behavior is that it keeps your dog constantly at alert, feeling that you should be aware of every animal in the yard, backfire down the street, possum in the field, etc. After your dog learns that this barking is inappropriate behavior, he will also have a chance to become comfortable with the sounds and sights of his surroundings, making him more at ease.
What other benefits have you seen when using your bark collar? Share your thoughts and observations with us.
Down, sometimes referred to as the Down Stay command, is a Strong Control Command. Down is an essential Command for all types of working
SportDOG Brand Field Staffer Gary Sheffer with some of his favorite dogs.
and non-working dogs. The command can be used in a boat, blind, or field. I find it very useful after the hunt, to check the dog for injuries or removing burrs. The following is an in-depth overview of the Down command. Also, check out Tom Dokken‘s video below for a visual guide to teaching the down command.
The correct position for the Down or Down Stay is for the dog to be flat on the ground with the dog’s head between the front legs. The dog should remain still and not be allowed to move. Your dog should already be trained to sit and walk at the heel on the leash. I find a training table to be very useful in teaching the command. Other required equipment you need is a training collar, short leash, check cord, whistle, heel stick, and a SportDOG™ E-Collar.
While the dog is on a short leash, drop the leash beside the dog. With your left hand, press down on the back of the dogs neck. With your right
hand lift the front legs and forward and give the command “down”. If the dog attempts to raise his rear, prevent this by pressing down on the lower back region with one hand while holding down the head with the other hand. Keep the dog in this position for 30 seconds. Calmly praise the dog but don’t over excite your dog. The dog should remain flat on the ground. Repeat the down command with every correction. The dog will learn that no pressure is applied as long as he remains in the down position.
After the dog has remained in the down position for a short time, give the “come” command and with the short leash walk the dog at heel. The “come” command should be given to release the dog from down every time. Repeat these steps several times or until the dog remains down without correction from the handler. Eventually the handler can remove his hands from the dog and stand over the dog.
Here is when the e-collar can be incorporated. Always consult your SportDOG manual or SportDOG directly if you have any questions concerning the use of your collar. The e- collar can be placed on the dog’s neck in a reverse manner. The unit should be placed on the back of dog’s neck. Always use the lightest correction to get the desired effect. By reversing the collar, the stimulus is felt on the back of the neck. This replaces the tap of the stick or the force of the handler.
The dog now must go “down” on the command and not be forcibly be placed. With the dog sitting at heel, run the long leash from the dog’s collar under the handlers left foot and hold in the left hand. With the stick in your right hand give the “down” command. Raise your right hand vertically as a visual signal to the dog.
At the same time sharply pull the leash upward pulling the dog to the ground. If the dog tries to get up, quickly correct the dog with the stick. Here the e-collar again can be useful. A second handler may be needed to operate the collar. Handler #1 has his
hands full with the leash and stick. If the dog resists the upward yank on the leash, an immediate correction with the E-Collar to the back of the neck replaces the tap of the stick. This is a valuable transition to the dog off leash and at a distance.
When the dog has mastered the “down” command on the leash it is time to teach him the “down” at a distance. With the dog on the check cord, in an enclosed garage or fenced yard. Drop the leash and allow the dog to be several yards from the handler. When the dog is not excepting it, give the command “down” and raise your right arm vertical. The dog should obey the command immediately. If the dog fails to obey the command after correction, as in all aspects of training go a step backward and repeat the training until the dog has mastered the step.
Take your time training the “down” command; always remember the dog must understand what you want it to do. Always quickly correct any refusal or mistakes made by the dog if it fails to correctly perform the command “down”. Again praise the dog when the dog does well, but do not over praise and excite the dog. The dog must obey the command “down” every time without hesitation.
Good luck training and happy hunting,
Gary D. Sheffer
About Gary
Gary Sheffer has been hunting upland game for 15 years. Training Labs and German shorthairs for upland hunting is my specialty. Whether hunting pheasant or quail in Indiana, it is a great feeling to see a dog that I’ve trained point a bird and then retrieve it.
The Outdoors. It is something that we as outdoorsman are all passionate about and something that we hold dear to our hearts. We often have some of the best times of our lives in the outdoors, whether it is in a tree stand or a duck blind, on a 4 wheeler or horseback. The outdoors are so ingrained in many of us that we rarely step back and think about what a big part of our life it really is. Recently, while on horseback in Southern Georgia hunting quail and it hit me…
Growing up in Western Wisconsin was a blessing for myself along with my 3 younger brothers. We kept pretty busy with each of us being 3 sport athletes. There was always a Football game to be at on Friday night or a Basketball tournament on the weekends and let’s not forget the baseball camps that seemed to go on year round. But when we got “free time” you can only imagine the trouble that the four of us got ourselves into. Needless to say, there was never a dull moment around the Miller household. Now this is usually the part of the story when I hear the “Oh your poor mother” line. And it’s true, we gave our mother more than one headache in our time. But in the midst of all this madness there were two things we could always count on: 1. that no matter how much trouble we got into, Mom still loved us and 2. my Fathers passion for the outdoors. And at the time I had no idea that my Fathers passion would have such an impact on my life.
- SportDOG Regional Sales Manager Josh Miller after his first deer hunt with his dad at age 10.
The first true hunt I was ever on was a deer hunt during rifle season in the Wisconsin Northwood’s. Now my Dad was and still is an avid bow hunter but as most fathers do, he knew that I was more apt to get into the sport if I were a part of some action. Not to mention the tradition, since gun deer season in Wisconsin is practically a statewide holiday. I was only 10 years old but I can remember it like yesterday. I remember sitting in that old wooden tree stand, bored out of my mind watching squirrels, birds, anything that could occupy my attention for a minute or more when I felt my Dad’s hand on my head. As I turned to see what he wanted, I made a noise and alerted one of the biggest bucks that I have ever seen in the woods, even to this day. The 12 point brute took off on a dead sprint as my dad whipped up his old 30-06 with open sights and I witnessed one of the best shots I have ever seen anyone make. As I watched the monster buckle, and disappear through the woods I couldn’t help but shake with adrenaline. Now a lot of hunts may have ended here, but mine did not. I was so excited and had somehow relayed to my dad through my shaking body that I had seen the buck buckle and kick and I knew that he had gotten him. My dad then told me to keep an eye on where I saw the buck get hit. As he got down from the stand I was sure that I was not going to let him down. I stared at that exact spot until he returned to the stand. As he climbed back up he told me he did not think he had hit the buck. He found no blood and no deer. As I listened in disbelief, he told me to get down and go to where I thought I saw the deer buckle and see if I could find anything. I climbed down and walked to the spot that I had kept my eye on. As I got to there, I immediately began to search the area and without having to search too long found blood on the leaves. I immediately began to shake again as I hollered, “I found blood!” I wish I could have seen my Father’s face as I am sure he was smiling ear to ear and proud as could be as he shouted back, “Good, now follow it and see if you can track him down.” I felt like the ultimate outdoorsman as I followed the blood trail, shaking every step of the way and breathing harder and harder until… I looked up and there he lay! I am sure every hunter in the state heard me as I shouted back, “I found him, I FOUND HIM!!!” It wasn’t till years and years later that my Dad confessed his secret that he had already found the buck before he sent me on my task but I am grateful he did what he did because it was after this experience that I knew hunting was something I was going to do for the rest of my life.
- Josh and his Dad after Josh’s first turkey hunt at age 11.
Since that hunt, my passion for the outdoors has only grown. When I was 15 years old I got my first hunting dog. A chocolate lab that I named Easton. Easton has taught me more than I could have ever dreamed of teaching him. He taught me patience, kindness, persistence and dedication among many other traits. He is the best friend that I have ever known. He has been there for my best times and my worst times. He taught me that sports were not life as currently I was under the impression. He was there when I put down 40 points my Freshman year in our basketball home opener and I felt like I was on top of the world and he was there just the same when we lost my last high school football game and I felt like the world was coming to an end. No matter what was going on in my life, there was Easton loving and caring for me just the same. It is safe to say that without Easton I wouldn’t be where I am today with my dog training, my career or as a person. No matter how many birds I am able to knock down for him, it will never amount to the impact he has had on my life.
Then the outdoors played another big role in my life when I realized the girl who I had been dating was going to be the woman that I would spend the rest of my life with. Here is this girl who had not been in the outdoors much and certainly never hunted before in her life and somehow decides to date down to this goof who is an outdoor nut. And she took it all in stride. Instead of complaining when I would be hunting all the time, she asked to come along here and there and came to love the outdoors almost as much as I do. I recently decided that it was time to lock this life in and we got engaged. It only made sense that I used a puppy, our new English Setter “Breeze” to purpose.
As I am sitting on top of this horse, watching great dogs work in the outdoors where I love to be, it hits me… I have had great parents, some of the coolest friends a guy could ask for, brothers that would have my back through anything, a beautiful fiancé, a job that I love and a couple of dogs that light up when I walk through the door. And I can thank it all to my Dad’s passion. I don’t know if I have ever said this but Dad, I love you and I am thankful every day for this wonderful gift that you have given me. It is because of you that I am where I am today and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
About Josh
Josh Miller is the newest official member of the SportDOG team, having accepted a position as Regional Sales Manager in August of last year, but he’s been working with SportDOG™ through contract sales since 2008. Josh lives in Wisconsin and has been training dogs for the last 8 years. A few years ago, he started training his brown lab Easton to shed hunt, and the pair recently won the NASHDA World Championship. He is also the proud owner of a English Setter named Breeze.
It’s game day. So, now what?
SportDOG Brand ProStaffer Billy Mosley. Professional dog trainer and hunting guide.
It’s early on a Saturday morning; you pull into the test grounds excited to see how you and your retriever handle the judges set ups this weekend.
This is a common occurrence at hunt tests across the country; unfortunately another common occurrence is that the well-behaved and under-control retriever you train every day is not the dog that comes off the truck on the weekends. Instead, he is replaced by a wild-eyed, creeping machine that seems to lose his mind on the honor bucket.
The fact is hunt tests can bring out the worst in anyone’s dog: the excitement, sounds, smells and change in routine can play havoc with your dog’s mind. The handlers that figure out a way to minimize this are the handlers that typically come home with a dash full of ribbons.
There are a couple things you can do to try and help your dog keep his composure and keep you guys working as a team.
1) Be sure your dog is accustomed to riding and sleeping in a crate or dog box, going from sleeping on the bed to sleeping in a dog box can be a big change and trigger for the dog that something different is going on.
2) Find a way to train with a group on occasion. Training alone is a great way to teach and work on things, but exposing your dog to situations with a number of other dogs, handlers, etc. and having them on the truck listening to other dogs work is a great way to simulate the sounds and smells of tests.
3) Don’t change your feeding schedule, even if it means stopping at a rest stop on the way to feed and air. You want to keep to you routine as closely as possible. Also, check out Senior ProStaffer Rhett Kermichle’s “Hunting Dogs Require Extra Care When Traveling” for more tips on keeping your dog comfortable and on schedule on the road.
4) Arrive at the grounds early the morning of the test, make sure you air your dog well and give him a chance to burn some energy off.
5) Get to your flight and WATCH THE TEST DOG. This allows you to see the test and formulate your plan as to how to attack the test. Having a plan and being confident in what you plan to do will keep you calm and in turn help keep your dog calm.
6) Be sure your dog is comfortable waiting in holding blinds; spend time training a dog to sit calmly in a holding blind, so while waiting for your turn at the line your dog is not getting overly amped up in the holding blind.
7) Have a routine going from the holding blind to the line; use the same cues/commands each and every time.
Keeping to a routine and being confident doesn’t ensure success on the weekends, but it will help you and your dog remain a little calmer which could be the difference is gaining that call back or getting that ribbon.
About Billy Mosley
Billy Mosley has been hunting since he was 5 years old and has continued his passion for the outdoors for the last 32 years. He started out training coon dogs and in the late 90′s transitioned to duck dogs. Then in 2005 he opened his kennel as a spin off of being a waterfowl guide. Billy also competes in HRC hunt test and AKC hunt test. Billy has been a member of the SportDOG ProStaff team for the last five years and is a dedicated waterfowl hunter and trainer.
