Tom Dokken
Northfield, MN
Background
Dokken brings more than 45 years of retriever-training experience to the SportDOG team. He is well known as the inventor of Dokken’s Deadfowl Trainer, which has become standard equipment for retriever trainers everywhere. He is the owner of Dokken Dog Supply and Dokken’s Oak Ridge Kennels, the largest gun dog training kennel in the upper half of the United States. He has made seminar appearances all across the United States as well as South America, plus numerous television appearances on ESPN, TNN, and major outdoor channels. Tom is also the author of the book “Retriever Training-The Complete Guide to Developing Your Hunting Dog.”
Why I Use SportDOG Brand
SportDOG products are extremely durable, waterproof, and reliable, not to mention everyone at SportDOG from the top down runs dogs and hunts. This is not just another e-collar company.
Favorite Products
There is no way I can pick just one. Every collar, the SD-2525, SD-1825X, SD-1825XCAMO, to the SD-425X has a place in our training program, as well as during my personal hunting trips. SportDOG has a commitment to quality and innovation.
Websites
http://www.dokkensoakridgekennels.com/Articles by Tom Dokken
Make Your Upland Retriever Crazy for Feathers
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....
What Does “Socializing” Your Puppy Mean?
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...
Retriever Training: The Transition to Water
Retrievers love water, so you wouldn’t think that transitioning from land retrievers to water retrieves would be difficult. It isn’t, as long as you follow a few simple guidelines. The key to a smooth introduction and continued improvement on water retrieves is to work in baby steps, just like you did...
Other Senior Prostaff
Dana Giovannello
Dana has been training and hunting over dogs for some 30 years. He started out in New Hampshire hunting pheasants, woodcocks, grouse, and ducks with his Brittney spaniel, Maize.. They moved to Alaska and stayed for 6 years, then to Idaho for 3 years, before finally resting their roots in...
Chris Anders
Chris has 12 years of dog training experience and over 20 years of combined retriever training and hunting experience. He mostly works with Labradors, Goldens, Chessies, Spaniels, and a few pointing breeds. He is a member of the Professional Retriever Trainers Association, Hunting Retriever Club, Delta Waterfowl, and Ducks Unlimited.
Don White
Don has been an amateur dog trainer for over 20 years. During that time he has been a member of the International organization Hunting Retriever Club (HRC) and is currently the Field Rep for the Clubs in the New England Region. Don has been hunting upland game and waterfowl all...
