Training Tips
Here's how we make the most of each hunt![Training Tips](/training-tips/training-tips.jpg)
![man putting e-collar on German shorthaired pointer](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/3b25ca322929f9e274b55a62a06e6c259a6b7cf7-3712x5568.jpg?rect=1054,1236,2223,3335&w=3712&h=5568&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
Proper Introduction to the E-Collar
by Chris Akin
The e-collar is an amazing tool. It can fine-tune a dog, extend your control, and even save an animal’s life. But here’s the thing: You must understand what it is. It is not a magic bullet. I call it a polishing tool. It’s an enforcement tool and a distance minimizer. What...
![Early Goose Season Means Learning Opportunities for Retrievers](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/0f73ba3f53a8f195297c56a978e0f78adcc0daf6-1200x630.jpg?w=1200&h=630&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
Early Goose Season Means Learning Opportunities for Retrievers
by Chris Akin
With many states holding early Canada goose seasons, retriever owners have an excellent opportunity to introduce their young dogs to waterfowling, and for experienced dogs it’s a good time to provide a refresher course in hunting manners. Let’s talk about a few things you can do to make sure that...
![A Great Summertime Water Drill for Retrievers](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/439f3db73712b1041223e94ad9bb9f83114cbf96-2000x2000.jpg?w=2000&h=2000&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
A Great Summertime Water Drill for Retrievers
by Chris Akin
If you have a young retriever and you’re looking for a great summertime training exercise, I’ve got one that’s super-simple but is also productive and educational for both you and your dog. The drill I’m going to describe is pretty basic as a “de-cheating” method, but it actually accomplishes much more...
![Yellow lab walking through water in vest with snow goose in mouth](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/a0f95a2ab9ad70e589f6241ca271c3ec1b5b4480-570x640.jpg?w=570&h=640&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
6 Keys for a Better Snow Goose Hunt with Your Retriever
by Chris Akin
Snow goose hunting brings its own, unique set of thrills in the world of waterfowling. Spring seasons, liberal or no bag limits, the use of electronic callers and unplugged shotguns add up to a wild time when you’re lucky enough to find countless thousands of birds in your hunting area. Not...
![Retriever wearing a camo vest](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/e1cbd0c8de27291064d7dddc721d215a48285383-1200x630.jpg?w=1200&h=630&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
Retriever Care in Cold Weather
by Chris Akin
Cold-weather waterfowling can mean a lot of extra work in sometimes nasty conditions, but those of us who take on those challenges are often rewarded with some of the season’s best hunting. It’s extremely satisfying to limit out when the wind is howling and ice is forming on the decoys,...
![Yellow lab wearing e-collar on green strap in duck blind](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/45e87ce2471a7abcc9d317f234fbf265810ae3d1-1620x1080.jpg?w=1620&h=1080&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
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...
![Woman smiling while petting two small black lab puppies](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/e61604ec0c8aaa4181e4767d380d9f0e1ba51a99-2000x2000.jpg?w=2000&h=2000&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
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.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/84a514d9baab098d74adbfaebd620e4a9e5ce3dc-2000x2000.jpg?w=2000&h=2000&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
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 checking fit of e-collar on setter](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/560bd8d59693b04b126ccafec8f63fabad463136-1336x891.jpg?w=1336&h=891&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
Making the Case for E-Collar Simplicity
by Chris Akin
Depending on your background, your opinion about using an electronic training collar probably falls into one of three categories: 1) You think the modern e-collar is the greatest tool ever invented; 2) You think the evil “shock” collar has no place in dog training; or 3) You are afraid to...
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...](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/46b6625b86b4102927273e4b4d4ef553d7546085-876x1345.jpg?w=876&h=1345&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
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...
![He decided to make the leap and make training retrievers a full time occupation. Billy has successfully trained and titled dogs in all levels of HRC hunt tests, as well as trained gun dogs and taught basic obedience for companion dogs. Billy has also competed in SRS events as well...](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/2a2752dd690ae89270f56b680402dd3159a7d73a-1280x854.jpg?w=1280&h=854&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
Billy Mosley
1 article
He decided to make the leap and make training retrievers a full time occupation. Billy has successfully trained and titled dogs in all levels of HRC hunt tests, as well as trained gun dogs and taught basic obedience for companion dogs. Billy has also competed in SRS events as well...
![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...](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/6bf93283078971c56c18aa8673e60443db75e8db-366x366.jpg?w=366&h=366&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
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...
![Owning Labrador Retrievers since the age of 9 has given Lynne a rare opportunity. She learned to listen to her dogs. They have taught her more than she has taught them, and to think any differently would be an error on her part, according to Lynne.
She has had the pleasure...](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/d075r9p6/production/90e12abdbb25928d3c55b5822f8a57a580dd10cd-1280x960.jpg?w=1280&h=960&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
Lynne Frady
2 articles
Owning Labrador Retrievers since the age of 9 has given Lynne a rare opportunity. She learned to listen to her dogs. They have taught her more than she has taught them, and to think any differently would be an error on her part, according to Lynne. She has had the pleasure...
![Gear The Way You'd Design It](/images/gearthewayyouddesignit.png)