Hunting Dog Training Supplies – Training Your Gun Dog
Training a hunting dog is a rite of passage for many gun dog owners. Not only can a hunter better bond with his or her dog, but can also shape the exact skills and behaviors that are required in the pet. With the proper tools, training a hunting dog can be a relatively quick and easy task.
Collar and Check Cord
Training a dog to reliably be off-leash in the field requires more than a simple collar and leash. A check cord is necessary in 
the beginning stages of off-leash training to control your dog from long distances, while an owner will often opt for an electronic collar or a shock collar with GPS capabilities later in the training process in addition to a traditional collar.
Kennel
Next you will need to kennel train your dog so that your pet can travel safely to the field, as well as be properly contained if necessary. In addition, a kennel can be used at home to help potty train your dog while keeping him or her out of trouble in the house.
Hunting Dummies
Before you can begin to use live animals to train your hunting dog, you will need to start with bumpers or dummies that help teach your pet the proper behaviors for the intended style of hunting. As the dog matures from puppy to adult, he or she will progress from a bumper to a more realistic dummy.
Scent
You will also need to get your dog used to the scent of the game you wish to hunt, which can be accomplished by purchasing
scented wax or spray to apply to the puppy’s bumper or dummy. Scents are available in a variety of options, including quail, pheasant, grouse, dove, or duck odors.
Training Treats
Positive reinforcement is also necessary when training a puppy, so make sure to stock up on lots of training treats, especially high value ones that are meat or cheese flavored.
Blank Pistol
You will also have to condition your gun dog to the sound of your rifle, which can be achieved by slowly transitioning your
pet to be accepting of increasingly loud noises. A blank pistol is ideal for this type of training.
Whistle
When teaching your dog important commands such as recall, using a loud whistle can help gain immediate control of your
animals in the field during training exercises (and beyond).
Books and DVDs
New to dog training? Purchasing a book or DVD with professional tips and tricks can help the dog training process go as smoothly as possible while enabling efficient communication between you and your dog. Even if this isn’t your first time training a hunting dog, refreshing your skills (or learning a new one) never hurts.
Joe Scarpy
Author Bio: Joe is the founder of HuntEmUp.com, The Worldwide Sporting Dog Superstore and Owner of Bull Valley Retrievers, Northern Illinois Retriever Training, specializing in all-breed obedience and Retriever Field and Gun Dog work. Joe brings to the table years of training and hunting experience as well as knowledge of the latest hunting and training products on the market, to help you make your hunt and dog the best he can be.
At HuntEmUp.com, we know sporting dogs. From the time they’re a puppy, through their senior years, we’ll keep you informed on the latest news and information. For more information on Training, Preparing and Caring for your Dogs, read our Hunting and Sporting Dog blog.
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