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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

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...

man checking fit of E-collar on English Setter who is standing on tailgate of truckman checking fit of E-collar on English Setter who is standing on tailgate of truck

Understand This Before you Train

by Charlie Jurney

Every animal on the planet has an alpha or beta relationship with every other animal. We usually think of “beta” as submissive and beaten down, but in wild packs or herds, that is not the case. The beta dog in a pack of wild dogs is still quite happy and...

Yellow lab puppy in back of SUV with window openYellow lab puppy in back of SUV with window open

What Does “Socializing” Your Puppy Mean?

by Tom Dokken

You hear a lot about “socializing” your puppy, but what does that mean and why is it important? Socializing is actually training. By that I mean that every time you are with your puppy he is learning something. You need to make sure he’s learning what you want him to...

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...

yellow lab in white field blind out in a snow covered fieldyellow lab in white field blind out in a snow covered field

Working Your Dog in the Winter

by The SportDOG Staff

Keep your training sessions with your dog quick and efficient to stave off cabin fever while keeping your dog safe in inclement weather. For those of you caught in the polar vortex, you know it can limit your time out with your dog. The freezing cold temperatures can make it tempting...

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...

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...


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