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