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Gun Shyness in Dogs is a Top Concern Among Hunters

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Gun Shyness in Dogs

Gun shyness in dogs is a top concern among hunters.  In most instances, the problem is directly related to introducing gunfire in the wrong way.  

Hunters should take a progressive approach when conditioning their dogs to loud noises.  Wait until your dog is 8 months of age or older. Your dog should be mature, confident, marking well, and fired up about retrieving.  

To begin, start with a .22 blank, popper, or a #209 primer.  Place the popper in your training bag, and pull the trigger as you throw a bumper.  Your dog will be more interested in the bumper than the pop, and will become easily conditioned to the sound.  Over time, move closer to your dog during this exercise.

 

When you are confident that your dog is comfortable with the sound of the pop, move on to retrieving drills with a .410 shotgun.  This type of gunfire is ideal, because it is not too loud for these initial encounters. Enlist the help of a friend, and have him or her stand at a distance from you and your dog.  This person will toss a bumper in the air, and then fire the gun. Again, your dog should be more interested in the flying bumper than the sound of the gun, and conditioning should be easy at this point.  Enthusiasm and positive praise from you or the handler is also important.

When introducing your dog to gunfire, be progressive in your approach and make haste slowly.  Being conservative throughout this process is far better than delaying your training – and possibly your hunt – while you overcome gun-shyness.  

 

Training and Proper Nutrition for Your Best Friend

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Proper Training and Nutrition for Your Best Friend

If you’re a dog owner, you know the importance of taking good care of your best friend.  The hours spent together in the house, field, and during a hunt are unparalleled. A good working dog is a sight to behold, and also a necessary component of a successful hunting trip.  The importance of proper training equipment and nutrition for your best friend will be discussed here.

The Importance of Proper Training Equipment

A gun dog is only as good as the methods used to train him or her.  While some dogs aren’t destined to be field champions, every dog can become a reliable hunting companion.  The benefits of owning proper, high-quality training equipment are extensive:

Specific Design
There is no shortcut when it comes to training your dog.  The need for proper training equipment primarily lies in the construction of the products.  Purchasing training tools specifically designed for your intended purpose will help your dog learn more efficiently.  

Less Time
When you use the right training equipment you will spend less time training your dog.  This means you will be able to get your dog into hunting shape quicker, and have fewer setbacks in the long run.

Less Money
When you make the right investments early, you will ultimately save money.  The proper dog training equipment is built to last, and you will avoid dealing with costly replacements or inadequate tools.  

Better bond
Overall, when you spend less time, less money, and have the proper equipment you will end up with a well-trained dog.  The amount of quality time spent on training will increase, and you will have a better bond because of it.

The Importance of Proper Nutrition


Even if you have the best-trained dog in the region, he or she will struggle during a hunt if not properly fueled.  The advantages of proper nutrition include:

Increased Endurance
Proper nutrition for an active sport dog requires the appropriate balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates.  When these macro-nutrients are optimized, your dog will have all the energy required for the hunt, without a dip in energy late in the day.

Better Body Condition

Many dog foods contain filler ingredients and preservatives that provide empty calories for your pet.  The proper nutrition will be fully utilized by your dog’s digestive system, resulting in a better body condition with increased muscle tone and no wasted energy.  

Fewer injuries
Sport dogs are more prone to injuries due to the nature of their work.  The proper fuel is important for supporting their bodies against injury by providing the necessary building blocks for muscle building and muscle recovery.  

Less Allergies
Many dog foods contain ingredients that commonly cause allergies for dogs, such as corn, soy, and wheat.  When you provide proper nutrition for your pet, he or she will experience fewer skin and ear allergies, resulting in better performance in the field.  

Less Expensive
Even though high quality dog foods may appear more expensive, foods made from whole protein sources and without fillers can be fed in smaller quantities, therefore saving you money in the long run.  

Enhanced Immunity
A long day in the field can leave your dog more susceptible to catching a cold.  By giving your dog proper nutrition that contains plenty vitamins and minerals, your pet will have an enhanced immune system.  

Improved Digestion
Finally, digestion is an important issue for dogs with finicky stomachs.  The proper food will support digestion, which in turn will improve your dog’s ability to uptake macro- and micro-nutrients.  

 

Joe Scarpy – Bull Valley Retrievers

 

Training Your Gun Dog – Hunting Dog Training Supplies

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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 Gun Dog Training Suppliesthe 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.Waterfowl Decals

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.

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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.

Sporting Dog Super Store & Blog

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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The Main Reasons Dog Obedience Training Is Important

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The Main Reasons Dog Obedience Training Is Important

The proper and effective training of your dog can be especially difficult, and if you proceed the wrong way it can also be stressful for your pet. If you are knowledgeable about how to properly train your dog, the experience can be much more enjoyable and less time-consuming.

What is Dog Obedience Training?

It is your desire for your dog as well as your family to feel safe and secure, and the objective of dog obedience training is to achieve a healthy relationship with your pet, whether you contract the services of a professional or conduct the training

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yourself. Some of the techniques covered in a comprehensive dog training program are reward training, positive reinforcement, leash and collar training and dog whispering.

Two of the main goals of dog training is strengthening the relationship with your pet, as well as establishing a definite pattern of communication between the two of you. The ideal training program can assist with the elimination of any negative or destructive that are exhibited by your pet, such as jumping up on people, barking excessively, or unwanted digging and chewing.

Dogs are in need of training just as we do, in order to behave appropriately in particular situations, regardless of the time or place. You need to remember that your dog will have to take regular walks, and he will spend some amount of time outside, so you do not want him to be aggressive or unruly. Teaching your dog the correct way that he should behave, is your responsibility. He is a responsible member of the family, and this can be accomplished through the use of the right training techniques.

Benefits of Obedience Training

If you take the time to train your dog properly, he will remain a faithful companion for many years to come. Your dog will also

understand what his role in the family is, and will be able to differentiate between behaving appropriately and bad behavior. During dog training sessions you get the opportunity to spend quality time with your pet and get to know him better; the experience will be enjoyable and satisfying for both you and your dog. After the training is completed and your dog is trained properly, he will be more confident and you will appreciate spending quality time with him.

After your dog has received the proper training, you will feel confident to leave him alone, with the knowledge that he will not misbehave or attack either other dogs or people. You want your dog to feel that he is more than just a family pet but also an

important member of your family. Through training your dog can become an important member of the family and earn your love and respect.

Patience and understanding are required while training your dog, as the process can become frustrating and time-consuming. You may need to occasionally administer punishment during the training process, so you must be prepared to praise and reward your dog if he responds positively to the training and is well behaved.

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Hunter Dunbar

Author Bio: Hunter is an avid Outdoorsman and Outdoor Enthusiast that has hunted both nationally and internationally as well as trained several Gun Dogs for upland and waterfowl hunting.  Hunter has the knowledge and experience on a wide variety of topics and offers up some of the best information and reviews available on the web.

 

Sporting Dog Super Store & Blog

 

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.

 

Join Our HuntEmUp.com Customer Club Today!

 Join Our Customer Club and be entered in our Monthly Giveaway and a chance to Win products and more!

 

Join for FREE Today – Click Below to Get Started!

 

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Choosing the Right Puppy To Be Your Next Hunting Dog

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Choosing the Right Dog

There is no bigger investment for a hunter in terms of time, money, and experience than his or her dog.  The quality of the animal that you choose is of utmost importance.  If your dog is not genetically suitable to the work you are asking it to do, no Waterfowl Decalsamount of proper training or equipment can turn a sub-standard dog into one that will perfectly fit your needs.  Listed here are tips for choosing the right dog.

Research Dog Breeds

No matter your hunting needs, there are many different breeds genetically predisposed to performing your required task.  It is important to spend time doing your research to determine which dog is the best fit for you and your needs.  For instance, if you are purchasing a pointer, one popular option is the German Shorthaired Pointer.  However, not everyone is equipped for this breed’s high energy and vigorous exercise requirements.  Instead, an Italian Spinone may be better suited for you, as this breed also excels at pointing but is less active.

Research Breeders

After determining which breed is best for you, the next step is to research breeders.  Look for a breeder that has produced dogs that are both healthy and excel in the field.  Ask your hunting buddies for recommendations (or breeders to avoid), and inquire with your local breed association, such as the Hunting Retriever Club works as well.

Look for Titles

The parent dogs of the litter you choose should be well-titled.  Look for titles such as Hunting Retriever Champion and Grand Hunting Retriever Champion to find the best stock for your puppy.

See Health Certifications

The parent dogs should be guaranteed to be free of genetic abnormalities and of sound conformation.  Ask to see Orthopedic Foundation for Animals hip and elbow scores if the breed you are purchasing is prone to hip or elbow dysplasia.  In addition, ask about eye health (and see certification from Canine Eye Registry Foundation, if applicable) and other common congenital disorders that affect the breed.

Watch the Parents Work

One of the best indicators as to the quality of dog you will receive is to watch the parents work.  If the parents can perform the skills that you want to instill in your puppy, chances are that you are choosing the right breeder.

Take Your Time

Do not make a hasty decision when choosing the right dog for your needs.  Consider the amount of time, money, and energy that goes into developing the perfect hunting dog before committing to a breeder.  If there are any red flags throughout the process, weigh them heavily lest you want to gamble with the resources you will be devoting to your dog.

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Joe Scarpy – Owner / Trainer

Author Bio: Joe is the founder of HuntEmUp.com, The Worldwide Sporting Dog Superstore / Sporting Dog Blog 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.

 

Join Our HuntEmUp.com Customer Club Today!

 Join Our Customer Club and be entered in our Monthly Giveaway and a chance to Win products and more!

 

Join for FREE Today – Click Below to Get Started!

 

Join Customer Club Now

 

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