Skip to content
FREE SHIPPING on orders over $89

Training Tips

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

Categories:

Advanced, Basic, Hound, Puppy, Upland, Waterfowl

Yellow lab sitting in field.Yellow lab sitting in field.

Training Your Retriever for Double Duty

by Charlie Jurney

If you own a waterfowl dog, chances are that sooner or later you’re going to ask it to perform upland duty. It might be a pheasant hunt as a sideline to your Dakota duck hunt, or maybe an afternoon of quail hunting after a morning goose hunt. Most retrievers handle...

Watch for Man walking German Shorthair Pointer at heel with leash and e-collarBehaviorWatch for Man walking German Shorthair Pointer at heel with leash and e-collarBehavior

Watch for Displacement Behavior

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 giving up its alpha position. Yawning, scratching, sniffing, head shaking and licking are all ways in which your dog will attempt to delay performing a command. Your dog may...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Black lab getting pets from trainerBlack lab getting pets from trainer

Poor Performance in Bird Dogs

by The SportDOG Staff

Your bird dog has been a strong, eager hunter with lots of pizzazz and snap, but now he has lost that snap, speed and stamina. He still eats well, is bright and alert and has normal bowel movements. Have you over-trained the dog or is it poor nutrition, heartworms or...

Yellow lab sitting in field.Yellow lab sitting in field.

Training Your Retriever for Double Duty

by Charlie Jurney

If you've got a waterfowl dog, odds are that at some point you'll want it to do some upland work. Could be a pheasant hunt as a bit of a side gig to your Dakota duck hunt, or perhaps an arvo of quail hunting after a morning goose hunt. Most retrievers cope...

Draathar being trained whoa commandDraathar being trained whoa command

Training Pointing Dogs with Birds - Part 1

by LTC Jim Morehouse

When SportDOG® asked me to write training articles on some of the aspects of training pointing dogs to handle birds, it seemed like a pretty easy task. As a full-time trainer and quail guide in Arizona, pointing dogs and birds are my passion. However, as I started to write about...

Black lab puppy with live pigeon in mouthBlack lab puppy with live pigeon in mouth

Make Your Upland Retriever Crazy for Feathers

by Tom Dokken

There’s nothing better than a hard-charging flushing dog that is absolutely crazy for birds. But how do you make sure your young retriever will turn out like that? Here are the steps I use. You can introduce your retriever to feathers when he is very young, say up to 12 weeks....

Training Pointing Dogs with Birds - Part 4Training Pointing Dogs with Birds - Part 4

Training Pointing Dogs with Birds - Part 4

by LTC Jim Morehouse

In Part Three of this series I explained how to work on more advanced steadiness exercises using live birds. Now I’m going to finish by giving you my thoughts on how to deal with running birds. I’ve mentioned that when you start using live birds, you always try to work your...

man walking dog away on leash with pigeon in handman walking dog away on leash with pigeon in hand

Training Pointing Dogs with Birds - Part 2

by LTC Jim Morehouse

In Part One of this series I explained why “Whoa” is the most important command in pointing dog training. Now I’ll explain the next step I take toward tying “Whoa” and live birds together. I want to give my young dogs plenty of experience with finding live birds. One, it’s fun....

English setter on point. Pigeon in grass in front.English setter on point. Pigeon in grass in front.

Training Pointing Dogs with Birds - Part 3

by LTC Jim Morehouse

In Part Two of this series I outlined my method for tying in the “Whoa” command with live birds. Now it’s time to get into the some more advanced live-bird work. Everything I’m explaining here still involves using a 15-foot lead or check cord. I don’t introduce the electronic collar...

Man and woman sitting in grass with two setter puppies.Man and woman sitting in grass with two setter puppies.

5 Reasons to Own a Hunting Dog

by The SportDOG Staff

If you already own a hunting dog you know there are a million reasons to do so. If it's a decision you've been debating, we've pooled our TOP 5 REASONS why should go ahead and pull the trigger bring home that pup. Health – Ever heard the expression “if your dog’s...

Yellow lab laying down behind small white fence flagsYellow lab laying down behind small white fence flags

How In-Ground Fences Help with Hunting Dogs

by The SportDOG Staff

In-Ground containment fences are becoming more and more popular among dog owners, and for good reason: they allow your dog to enjoy freedom in the yard without the expense, hassle, and eye sore of a fence. On their own those are great reasons to consider a fence, but these containment...

Young boy sitting with black lab. Both looking to sky for ducks.Young boy sitting with black lab. Both looking to sky for ducks.

Hunting with Kids

by The SportDOG Staff

Hunting with kids is an entirely different animal. There are two very important things we must all remember. First, it’s all about the kids, not you. Second, no matter how mature you think a kid is, they do not think like an adult. Let’s look at the first one; it’s...


Gear The Way You'd Design It