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Training Tips
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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
man putting e-collar on German shorthaired pointerman putting e-collar on German shorthaired pointer

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 RetrieversEarly Goose Season Means Learning Opportunities for Retrievers

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 RetrieversA Great Summertime Water Drill for Retrievers

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 mouthYellow lab walking through water in vest with snow goose in mouth

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 vestRetriever wearing a camo vest

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 blindYellow lab wearing e-collar on green strap in duck blind

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 Woman smiling while petting two small black lab puppies

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.Two setters on point in woods.

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 setterMan checking fit of e-collar on setter

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

Ben Garcia believes there is one secret to dog training: "Know where you want to go and where you want your dog to finish." Ben says that goal is the key to develop your best friend in the field.  With this in mind, Ben treats every dog as an individual,...Ben Garcia believes there is one secret to dog training: "Know where you want to go and where you want your dog to finish." Ben says that goal is the key to develop your best friend in the field.  With this in mind, Ben treats every dog as an individual,...

Ben Garcia

1 article

Ben Garcia believes there is one secret to dog training: "Know where you want to go and where you want your dog to finish." Ben says that goal is the key to develop your best friend in the field.  With this in mind, Ben treats every dog as an individual,...

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...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...

Tom Dokken

16 articles

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...

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...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...

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...

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...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...

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...

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