Training Tips Archives

Warm Up Your Dog Before a Hunt to Avoid Injuries

October 6, 2016 by Joe Scarpy

Warming Up Your Hunting Dog

A common misconception hunters have is that they can take their dog directly into the field and begin training exercises right away by letting the dog feed off of its natural excitement for work. However, this approach can commonly lead to injuries such as strained muscles, torn ACLs, or joint damage. Instead, a short warm up is crucial for your athletic dog. After all, would you expect Usain Bolt to sprint out of the starting blocks without having jogged and stretched first? Doing so would certainly result in a torn hamstring. Running your dog hard without a proper warm up can affect him or her in the same way. Listed below are warm up exercises that will help you gain better control of your dog and lessen the risk of injury.

Reverse Heel

With your dog on-leash, take time to practice heeling both forwards and backwards. Your dog should calmly stay by your side when heeling forward, and when you back up your dog should turn around and walk towards you as you take two or three steps away. This exercise not only helps your dog warm up its muscles but it also helps your dog calm down after a car ride and understand that the task at hand is to pay attention.

Square Heel

Next, you might practice moving in a square and asking your dog to follow while heeling. This exercise helps you and your dog practice perfect alignment for when you are asking him or her to heel and wait before retrieving a bird or dummy. In addition to warming up your dog’s legs, you are also helping your dog’s mind get ready to make good decisions while listening in the field.

Warm Up Tips

In order to fully prevent injury, your dog’s muscles should be loose. A good indication of whether your dog is prepared for the activities ahead is that he or she is lightly panting. In pleasant weather, warm up exercises should last 8 – 10 minutes while in cooler weather 10 – 15 minutes of low-impact exercise may be more appropriate. It is always a good idea to incorporate skills you will use in the field into your warm up routine. For an older dog, physically stretching the dog’s muscles may be necessary, as well, to ensure proper blood flow and circulation.

What Not to Do

The worst thing you can do for your gun dog is to let it hop out of the car and immediately burn off energy by running hard through the fields. While this might tire your dog out and give the illusion of a calm demeanor, it will increase the risk of injury and also provide the wrong message to your pet that the field is a place for wild running and not listening, training, and learning. A hunter should never begin a training session with an overly excited dog, so it is of utmost importance that the warm up be used to get the dog’s mind ready in addition to its body.

Joe Scarpy – Owner / Trainer

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Your New Hunting Dog & Gun Dog Training Supplies

August 14, 2014 by Joe Scarpy

Your New Hunting Partner and Training Supplies

Before you bring that new pup home from the breeder you must decide what you really want out of that new companion and determine what you want or do not want him to do when he gets older and is full grown. For example, if you do not want him jumping on you or others when he gets older, don’t let him do it when he’s a puppy. Yes, it’s cute to have that little guy jumping and playing with you, but you are creating a problem that you will have to correct later. Remember that it is easier to prevent a problem from forming than it is to correct it later!

Exposure to as many things as possible at a young age is a very important step in the training process and helps your dog adapt to other factors as he matures. In addition to acclimating him to his new home and kennel crate, take him to different areas for walks and expose him to different types of terrain (Tall grass, gravel, rocks, woods, leaves, etc…) and
terrain changes. Be sure that these areas are safe and free of any possible hazards.

Kennel Crate

Keep in mind that dogs are denning creatures and that a kennel crate will become their home and safe zone. Kennel crates are not a punishment and should be a comfortable zone for them to get away and relax. Once they become acclimated to the new crate you will find them going to their crate on their own, sometimes just to relax or get away from a busy situation. Relate this to going home or to your room to relax or get away.

Kennel crates are also the best way to travel with your pet! A lot of people like to have their dog ride in the back seat or even the passenger seat of the car. Transporting your dog in this manner may be comforting, but is the worst way of taking your dog on any kind of trip. In the case of a collision, your partner would be tossed around the interior of your vehicle like a rag-doll! We always suggest to clients that they use a kennel when transporting their dog on any trip, long or short!

Forming into a great companion – Start Early

In order to create the best hunting companion dog, it is essential to start early and use the correct training supplies. There is nothing like hunting behind a trained, obedient gun dog that is experienced and will obey the commands that
it is given. In your training you will need several basic dog training supplies. These supplies can be found at several supply stores but we recommend the quality products available at HuntEmUp.com. They have been in business since 2004 and have been supplying the hunting and dog training world quality products at reasonable prices since they
opened the doors!

What do we need to get started?

Starting a Pup off right requires very little and as you progress you can decide exactly how far you want to take the training process.

Training Collar

A pinch collar, choker or choke chain is used to teach basic obedience and control the dog on walks and even around the house. These collars are also used in the “Collar Conditioning” process when conditioning the dog to the use of an electronic collar.

Leash

I’m sure that you are familiar with a leash, but there are a couple suggestions that may help in your selection. Leather is the preferred choice for a leash as it is easier on your hands, It leather is not available or your of your price range, we suggest a leash that is thicker and wider; as this is easier on the hands when making corrections during the obedience process. We also recommend wearing a pair of gloves during your training sessions to protect your hands as
well.

Puppy Bumper

Soft canvas bumpers are preferred when training very young dogs as it is easier on the mouth and minimizes any discomfort when they start losing teeth.

Whistle

A quality whistle is uses for several different reasons in the process of training the Flusher, Pointer or retriever.

Uses include: recall, turn/quarter through the field as well as “sit” for a directional command. We do not recommend the use of a “Dog Whistle” or “Silent Whistle”.

Check Cord

There comes a time in every dogs training that he is asked to work out at a distance. This can be a “Sit” as you
walk away or many other uses that you will want to keep control you’re your dog at a distance. Using a check cord also gives us control over our dog’s movement at an increasing distance, reinforcing how and where we want the dog to work when hunting in front of us.

As your pup matures you will most likely be adding additional products to your training arsenal, but until then this should be all you need. When training it is not uncommon to run into road-blocks or obstacles! If you get to a point that you are having problems that you are not sure how to correct, we suggest you consult a professional trainer in your area for training help.

Joe Scarpy – Founder of http://www.huntemup.com/, “The World Wide Hunting Dog Superstore”.

Duck Dog Basics Hunting Dog Training DVD with Chris Akins

July 9, 2014 by Joe Scarpy

Avery’s Chris Akins Duck Dog Basics Hunting Dog Training Video

I recommend this DVD to anyone who wants to get started with training their own dog! You’ll be learning from the best when you watch this DVD by Chris Akin. Chris has well over 100 Grand Champions and Master Hunter titles to his credit and now he is sharing his knowledge. He is also a multiple winning of the prestigious Super Retriever Series Crown Championship.

How Do You Create a Duck Dog?

Growing up in the middle of Arkansas’ famed green timber and rice fields, Chris Akin knows how to do just that. He’s spent the better part of his life training the world’s finest hunting dogs and built one of the premier training facilities at his Webb Footed Kennels.

With well over 100 Grand Champions and Master Hunters to his credit, Chris’ ability to get the most out of a retriever is truly
unparalleled. Chris is also the only handler to win the Super Retriever Series Crown Championship twice.

From choosing the right puppy all the way up to opening day, Chris will show you the way. Join him in this 2½ hour DVD that will show you how it’s done. Upon completion of Duck Dog Basics, you’ll be ready for opening day with your favorite hunting partner.

This DVD starts with choosing the right puppy and takes you all the way to opening day. And what a day it will be with a well-trained hunting partner.
This DVD is packed with 2 1/2 hours of information and will keep you in the zone during your training days.

Socialization, Laying the Foundation

Picking a Puppy & Pedigree
Akin’s Answers – What to do with my puppy?
Fun Bumpers – “Hup Hups”, retrieves on land
Akin’s Answers – What do I do with my puppy when I come home?
Introduction to Water
Introduction to Covers & Decoys
Introduction to Birds
Akin’s Answers – Puppy Teeth?
Introduction to Kennel
Akin’s Answers – When should formal training begin?

Formal Training – Obedience & Collar Conditioning

Introduction to Formal training
Formal Training – Tools
Formal Training – Obedience
Putting on Checkcord
Heel
Sit/Stay & Here
Sit/Stay & Here with a more advanced dog
Kennel
E-Collar conditioning
Putting on E-Collar
Heel & Here
Introduction to Gunfire

Force Fetch – Fetch, Hold and Leave

Introduction to Force Fetch
Teaching Force Fetch
Akin’s Answers – Can I continue to throw retrieves during Force Fetch?
Force Fetch with a more advanced dog
Force Fetch from the ground
Walking Fetch
Formal Marking – Steady to Singles & Doubles

Introduction to Formal Marking

Steady – Singles & Doubles
Diversions
Diversions – with a less advanced dog
Akin’s Answers -Socialize to your hunting environment
Adding Distance
Adding Birds
Adding the Gun
Akin’s Answers – Making exceptions with friends and family
Adding Water
Answers – Teaching your dog his place
Steadying – From the duck blind
Akin’s Answers – Taking the right steps on your pup’s first few hunts
Steadying – From the pit
Akin’s Answers – Pup’s first Hunt

Avery’s Duck Dog Basics Hunting Dog Training Video with Chris Aken is an excellent reference and will help guide you throught the process of getting your dog off to a great start in its training process!

Building a Retriever Drills and More by Carol F Cassity

July 7, 2014 by Joe Scarpy

Training a Hunting Retriever, new to the world of sporting dogs? Building a Retriever – Drills and More is the book for you!

With over forty drills and a section of best training practices and principles, Building A Retriever: Drills & More is a book that will help any retriever trainer develop their dog to his fullest potential. Each drill includes step-by-step directions, a diagram, problem / solution chart, materials list, and a rational description. Particular attention is paid to selecting drills that are within the means of most amateur trainers.

Looking back to my first ever FRVHunting Retriever Club meeting I recall wondering what they were talking about and what was I getting myself into? I hear these same questions / comments from guests and new members to our club and direct them to the availability of Building a Retriever – Drills and More by Carol Cassity and wish I had this resource when I was new to the world of sporting dogs!

136 pages, B/W, “Magazine Bound” soft-cover, illustrated.

Loaded with Marking, Handling and and other training drills and techniques!

DRILLS:

Obedience, Line Work and Team Building
Holding Blind Drill
Clockwork
Remember Me?
Where’s Waldo
Swing With The Gun
Head – Swinging Drill

MARKING:

X Marking Drill
Walk-Away Marks
Diversion Mark Drill
Creamsicle
Inline Marks
Wipe-Out Marks
Channel Marks
ABCD Marking Drill
Slot Marks
Two-Along-The-Shore-Marks

HANDLING:

Ladder Blinds
Wagon Wheel
Push-Pull
Pile Work – Problem and Solution Chart
Pile Work – Baseball
Pile Work – Back Pile
Pile Work – T Drill
Straight Back
Back Vs. Angle Back Drill
Come-In Whistle Drill
Progressive Blinds – School Blinds
Swish Drill
Look Far
Renegade Drill
Blind Diversion Drill
Cast Off
Looking Glass
W Drill
Three In A Row
Bird Boy Blinds
Over Parallel To Shore
Holding Blind Blinds
Back Parallel To Shore
Cast Over Into Water / Through An Obstacle
Poison Bird
Chair Drill
Tune Up Drill

Definition of levels of training: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced
A Quick Word about E-Collars
Puppy Stuff – Marking Guidelines
Force To Pile Sidebar
Body English Sidebar
Retriever Resources – Information
Help Guidelines for Marks
Jargon – What do they mean by that?
Titles – What’s with all the letters?
Tracking Your Training – training log examples
Training Group Etiquette – What to do at training day!
Hunt Test / Trial Etiquette – What to do at a test!
Drill Log – Track Your Progress!
The Best Stuff

This Building A Retriever: Drills & More soft-cover book is good for both entry level dogs as well as for those who are more advanced in field work. It offers drills which can be varied due to the level of the dog from beginner through master hunter level. A great deal of thought and effort has gone into the production of this book. Great reference for anyone that has worked with Retrievers in the past!

Garmin Delta and Garmin Delta Sport – Simple and Effective

April 30, 2014 by Joe Scarpy

Easy to use and gets the job done…that is what I’m looking for in a product and Tri Tronics / Garmin has done it again with the new Garmin Delta
and Delta Sport!

With the smaller, newly designed Collar Receiver and hand held transmitter with easy to understand LCD display the Garmin Delta Series of collars is the way to go for any amateur dog trainer or pet owner. Replacing the Tri Tronics Sport Basic, this newly designed collar has lived up to its predecessor’s reputation and reliability while offering more options is a much smaller package.

Proven Technology

The Delta Series incorporates proven Tri‑Tronics technology for a wide range of in-sight (up to ¾ miles) training, from hunting to behavior and obedience around the property or home. Get stimulation, vibration and tone, and the flexibility to quickly adjust for situation and temperament. The Delta Sport helps keep the peace at home or in the kennel with the incorporation of the BarkLimiter right in the collar, eliminating the need for an additional stand-alone bark collar. The Bark-Limiter option offers proprietary bark differentiation and Autorise Technology for effective training with fewer false and over corrections!
Although the Sport Basic also had the ability to control up to three dogs, the Delta takes it a step further with technology that will remember the stimulation level of each collar. So, if you have a dog that requires a slightly different stimulation setting the system will remember the setting so that you do not have to make manual setting changes each time you switch dogs!

Simple and Effective Electronic Dog Training in Your Hands

Features:

•3-button handheld controller

•Tone, vibration, momentary or continuous stimulation modes

•Easy-to-read LCD displays correction pattern and dog being
trained

•3 correction configurations

•Train up to 3 dogs (with purchase of additional dog
devices)

Ergonomically Designed

Delta is ergonomically designed to require only 1 hand to operate with 3 front faced buttons for stimulation, tone and/or vibration. Side buttons and an easy-to-read LCD let you switch easily between the training configurations and different dogs being trained. The dog device is optimized to work on all breeds and coat thicknesses and has an effective range of up to 1/2 mile (Delta Sport offers 3/4 mile range).

Water resistant, Tough and Long-lasting

Delta and Delta Sport are rugged and water resistant with a long-lasting rechargeable, lithium-ion battery in both the transmitter and dog device.

Reduced price

Recently Garmin has reduced the price of both the Delta and Delta Sport Collars which has made them even more of a value while making an excellent quality product even more affordable!

Find out about Garmin Astro vs. Garmin Alpha GPS Dog Tracking Systems
Visit the New Garmin Pro Series Collars for up to a 4 Mile Range.

For a fully rechargeable collar and transmitter, waterproof reduced size collar and receiver for any dog over 10 lbs. all with a one year warranty, the choice is clear…the Garmin Delta and Garmin Delta Sport cannot be beat!