| Producing a "finished" hunting dog, one that | | | | come with built-in megaphones that allow the |
| will perform the tasks of pointing out game | | | | sound to be heard more easily and direct the |
| or retrieving game, is not a simple matter. | | | | blaring sound away from the hunter(s). They |
| In some cases, it can take several hunting | | | | are usually well worth the extra cost. |
| seasons and specialized training equipment to | | | | |
| achieve the desired results. | | | | Some trainers will use a friend or "bird |
| | | | boys" who position themselves some distance |
| It would be ludicrous to begin training a dog | | | | from the trainer and toss the bumpers high |
| to perform hunting skills without first | | | | into the air to simulate a falling bird. For |
| teaching it basic obedience. Your dog must | | | | those who train without assistance, bird |
| be able to sit, stay, remain quite and come | | | | launchers are a big help. These launchers |
| on demand before moving into the more complex | | | | come in single or multiple bird capacity; |
| areas of the hunt. The success of the hunt, | | | | however, they are usually bulky and can be |
| as well as the safety of the dog and its | | | | expensive. |
| handler, is directly correlated to the dog's | | | | |
| performance and self control. For example, | | | | Electric dog training collars are effective |
| an unruly dog that barks at incoming geese | | | | but controversial. These collars have a |
| will not only spoil the hunt, but will not be | | | | small electronic device attached that |
| invited back again. Further, a dog that | | | | administers a remote controlled mild electric |
| bolts out of a blind too quickly can | | | | shock to the dog. The control is hand held |
| jeopardize a shot and even cause a shooting | | | | by the trainer. These pieces of equipment |
| accident. Control is most essential. | | | | allow an immediate correction when the dog |
| | | | fails to respond to the more conventional |
| When the hunter is ready to begin training | | | | command. The level of shock involved has |
| his dog for the hunt, there is a variety of | | | | been compared to the static shock one |
| equipment that will prove valuable. Probably | | | | receives from a carpet or from touching a car |
| the first and most essential item is a piece | | | | door handle in cold weather. Actually, the |
| of 3/8-inch polypropylene rope of about 30 | | | | electric collar could be considered a humane |
| feet in length. The rope allows the handler | | | | alternative to the aggressive tactics or |
| to maintain control of his dog during | | | | brute force used by some trainers. |
| exercises and eliminates the chance of having | | | | |
| to chase the dog and correct him for | | | | One of the best ways to embark on training |
| straying. | | | | your hunting dog is learn from the experts. |
| | | | Training tips and guidelines are now |
| Most dogs have a natural fear of loud noises, | | | | available on tapes that show the student step |
| especially gunfire. Therefore, the trainer | | | | by step training procedures. These |
| will have to involve a training pistol or | | | | instructional tapes should be on every novice |
| firearm in his training program. A handgun | | | | trainer's list of essential training |
| is preferable; a shotgun is too large and | | | | equipment. |
| difficult to handle while holding the lead | | | | |
| line and juggling other training devices. | | | | When you're training your dog in the wilds |
| When training the retriever, training | | | | you should be prepared to care for him if he |
| "bumpers" or dummies are utilized to teach | | | | is injured. Therefore, the final thing on |
| the dog to fetch. These aides come in | | | | our list of essentials is a First Aid Kit. |
| various colors and sizes. White bumpers are | | | | Many of the items you'll need for your dog |
| generally used for "marking" drills where the | | | | are also appropriate for use on humans, so |
| dog is being taught to retrieve by sight and | | | | the kit can be mutually beneficial to both |
| colored bumpers are used for "running blinds" | | | | you and your dog. Fill the kit with such |
| where the dog is sent blindly into an area to | | | | items as: sterile bandages, topical |
| retrieve a downed bird that fell out of | | | | solutions, tape, scissors, tweezers, |
| sight. | | | | antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin, |
| | | | ibuprofen (safe for both humans and canines) |
| The retriever should be trained to respond to | | | | and possibly a veterinarian prescribed |
| the sound of a whistle. The voice of the | | | | anti-inflammatory such as Deramaxx or |
| dog's handler will not always be loud enough | | | | Rimadly. A well stocked First Aid Kit has |
| or distinct enough to alert the dog to give | | | | prevented many a pleasant hunting trip from |
| up the search and return to the handler's | | | | becoming a nightmare. |
| side. Some of the more elaborate whistles | | | | |