The Top 10 Most Important Bird Dog Supplies
Do you have everything you need in order to train your dog and keep him or her safe in the field? Listed here are ten of the most important bird dog supplies that every hunter should own.
Dog Collar
All dogs, no matter if they leave the house or not, should have a dog collar with at least the owner’s identification and proof of rabies vaccination. Never rely solely on a microchip or your dog’s obedience training, as accidents can happen and a dog collar is one of the simplest ways for the person who finds your dog to get into contact with you.
Kennel
The safest way for your dog to travel is in a sturdy kennel. Whether you plan to place the kennel in the back of a pickup truck or strapped onto the back seat of a car, there is a crate that fits your needs.
First Aid Kit
Accidents can happen anywhere, especially in the field. Be prepared to handle any emergency that may arise from minor scrapes to gaping flesh-wounds to broken bones by having a well-stocked first aid kit.
Bumpers/Dummies
When starting your hunting dog’s training, bumpers and dummies are essential bird dog supplies. These items help your dog learn important skills such as having a soft mouth and retrieval without starting them on live birds too early.
Bird Scent
Bumpers and dummies should be bathed in bird scent or bird wings in order to help your dog learn the scent of your game of choice.
Bird Launcher
No matter what type of bird dog you are training, a bird launcher can be beneficial for a number of reasons. Able to launch birds up to a half mile away, a bird launcher is an important bird dog supply for pointers, retrievers, and flushers.
Training Collar
Very few hunting dogs are trained without the use of a collar of some sort, such as a choke chain, prong collar, or electronic collar. Often, a hunter uses all three items at some point in the dog’s development. Certain commands, such as long-range recall, are made easier with e-collars which can reliably get the dog’s attention.
Dog Training Book or DVD
Especially if you are training a dog for the first time a training book or DVD is among the essential bird dog supplies. If this is your first or fiftieth dog, there are always new things to learn especially as a dog’s individual personality is made known.
Blanks
Every bird dog must be conditioned to the sound of guns. However, one of the worst ways to do so is to shoot a shotgun over the dog’s head to test its response, which can ultimately create a gun shy dog. A bird dog should be slowly conditioned to louder and louder noises, and blanks are great way to start this process.
Tracking Collar
Finally, a tracking collar is a great way to ensure you don’t lose your dog during a hunt. These collars contain GPS units that help you pinpoint your dog’s location at all times.
