Crate Train Your Puppy ~ The Puppy Academy
Above is a fantastic link and article on crate training and puppy basics! Such an important foundation.
Above is a fantastic link and article on crate training and puppy basics! Such an important foundation.
Here is a nice review of the Acme 211.5 vs the Acme 211.5 Alpha whistle:
The 211.5 Alpha is the closest I can find to imitate the recall whistle that Jim can create himself.... most people, including me, need a whistle for this. A good recall whistle is a must, and can also be used along with commands. There is a link on our A Few of our Favorite Things page to where you can purchase this in the U.S.A. on Gun Dog Supply.
The 211.5 Alpha is the closest I can find to imitate the recall whistle that Jim can create himself.... most people, including me, need a whistle for this. A good recall whistle is a must, and can also be used along with commands. There is a link on our A Few of our Favorite Things page to where you can purchase this in the U.S.A. on Gun Dog Supply.
The following is excellent information from Gun Dog Supply, explaining what you need to know about dummies and bumpers:
https://www.gundogsupply.com/dog-training-bumpers.htmlwww.gundogsupply.com/dog-training-bumpers.html
FAQ -- Retrieving Dummies and Dog BumpersWelcome to "Dog Training Dummies 101"
People use training dummies in place of birds for convenience. They are useful in repetitive drills and to teach a dog to handle at a distance. Here are answers to several common questions regarding the different types of retriever training dummies and how to use them effectively:
Why are retriever dummies sometimes called "bumpers?"Dog Bumpers originally came from boat bumpers -- the rubber or plastic floats that keep a boat from bumping into the dock. Retrievers are water dogs, so it makes sense that they'd be around boats. Most likely, someone threw a small bumper for a retriever to fetch, and realized what a great retriever training tool they were. Dog bumpers float, the white bumpers are easy to see, and with a rope and a little water in them for weight, you can throw retrieving dummies a pretty long way.
Why are there different colors?Different colors are for different levels of retriever training. Some dummy colors are easier for dogs to see than others. Dogs see contrasts, they don't see in "color."
Retrievers can see some shades of color, but they don't see color the way humans see color. An orange dummy can look gray to a dog. It depends on what background the orange dummy up against, but for the majority of backgrounds the orange disappears. The orange is for you, the human dog handler, to more easily see it. Orange retrieving dummies don't have the contrast that a white retrieving dummy has against a dark background or a black training dummy has against a light background.
The white/black dummies are really popular because you get the best of both worlds. If you drop one against a dark background you have the light contrast, and on a light background you have the dark contrast. Plus, if you throw it in the air against a light sky the black will show up, and when it hits the ground the white will show up. On water the black part of the dummy will disappear, but the white will show up.
Why are most plastic dummies knobby?Retrieving dummies have knobs because it makes it easier for retrievers to pick them up, like treads or grips. You don't want a training dummy slipping around in a dog's mouth.
What does the water valve do?The rubber valves on many plastic dummies allow you to add water to weight the dummy. Water makes the dummies heavier so you can throw them farther. Note that most dog dummies or bumpers with water valves will sink if you put too much water in them, but if you put the right amount in them they will float a little lower in the water, making them harder to see -- perfect for advanced retriever training. When you add water using the water valve, it's a good idea to test your dummies BEFORE you throw them in the lake!
Why are there different sizes and materials?Plastic dummies are easier to maintain, but it's mostly a matter of personal preference whether you choose plastic or canvas. It's a good idea to mix sizes and types of retriever dummies so your dog doesn't get used to picking up just one dummy, and possibly not pick up anything else! It's also important to use birds in training whenever possible for the same reason.
For a more realistic retrieving dummy, take a look at the Dokken DeadFowl Trainer. The advantages of Dokken DeadFowl Trainers are they are life size, mimic a real bird in firmness, and the head and feet are hard which encourages your dog to carry them properly. Also, the hard flopping head discourages the dog from shaking the dummy.
Do I need a firm or soft dummy?There are conflicting opinions on softness and firmness regarding what's best to avoid, or which will better solve mouth problems with dogs. Some say a firm dummy discourages chewing, and others say a soft dummy that offers less resistance accomplishes the same thing. "Hard Mouth," or a dog being too aggressive with a dummy or bird, can be a genetic trait, a man made problem, or combination of both. The best way to avoid mouth problems is not to snatch from your dog (creating possessiveness), and to practice short controlled retrieves so your dog doesn't have a chance to be too rough. Many dogs are force fetched or force retrieved which teaches them to hold an object properly.
Why use scent while training?Scent is used to teach a dog to hunt for a dead or wounded bird using it's sense of smell if you don't have a bird for practice. Scent can be liberally applied to a plastic or canvas dummy, or it can be injected into a foam dummy.
Generally you want to throw the dummy in some tall grass so they have to use their nose to find it. After a dog understands to "hunt dead" by practicing these drills, a more advanced drill is to take a dog to an area where the scented dummy has been placed (the dog does not see it thrown) and have them find it.
What brands do you sell?Our most popular training dummies are regular-sized SportDOG Lucky Dog dummies. These dummies are consistently well-made and very competitively priced. Some of the other brands of bumpers and retriever training throw dummies we carry include Avery, Dokken, RRT, DT Systems, PAC, and Real Duck. See all our retriever training dummies and bumpers here.
https://www.gundogsupply.com/dog-training-bumpers.htmlwww.gundogsupply.com/dog-training-bumpers.html
FAQ -- Retrieving Dummies and Dog BumpersWelcome to "Dog Training Dummies 101"
People use training dummies in place of birds for convenience. They are useful in repetitive drills and to teach a dog to handle at a distance. Here are answers to several common questions regarding the different types of retriever training dummies and how to use them effectively:
Why are retriever dummies sometimes called "bumpers?"Dog Bumpers originally came from boat bumpers -- the rubber or plastic floats that keep a boat from bumping into the dock. Retrievers are water dogs, so it makes sense that they'd be around boats. Most likely, someone threw a small bumper for a retriever to fetch, and realized what a great retriever training tool they were. Dog bumpers float, the white bumpers are easy to see, and with a rope and a little water in them for weight, you can throw retrieving dummies a pretty long way.
Why are there different colors?Different colors are for different levels of retriever training. Some dummy colors are easier for dogs to see than others. Dogs see contrasts, they don't see in "color."
Retrievers can see some shades of color, but they don't see color the way humans see color. An orange dummy can look gray to a dog. It depends on what background the orange dummy up against, but for the majority of backgrounds the orange disappears. The orange is for you, the human dog handler, to more easily see it. Orange retrieving dummies don't have the contrast that a white retrieving dummy has against a dark background or a black training dummy has against a light background.
The white/black dummies are really popular because you get the best of both worlds. If you drop one against a dark background you have the light contrast, and on a light background you have the dark contrast. Plus, if you throw it in the air against a light sky the black will show up, and when it hits the ground the white will show up. On water the black part of the dummy will disappear, but the white will show up.
Why are most plastic dummies knobby?Retrieving dummies have knobs because it makes it easier for retrievers to pick them up, like treads or grips. You don't want a training dummy slipping around in a dog's mouth.
What does the water valve do?The rubber valves on many plastic dummies allow you to add water to weight the dummy. Water makes the dummies heavier so you can throw them farther. Note that most dog dummies or bumpers with water valves will sink if you put too much water in them, but if you put the right amount in them they will float a little lower in the water, making them harder to see -- perfect for advanced retriever training. When you add water using the water valve, it's a good idea to test your dummies BEFORE you throw them in the lake!
Why are there different sizes and materials?Plastic dummies are easier to maintain, but it's mostly a matter of personal preference whether you choose plastic or canvas. It's a good idea to mix sizes and types of retriever dummies so your dog doesn't get used to picking up just one dummy, and possibly not pick up anything else! It's also important to use birds in training whenever possible for the same reason.
For a more realistic retrieving dummy, take a look at the Dokken DeadFowl Trainer. The advantages of Dokken DeadFowl Trainers are they are life size, mimic a real bird in firmness, and the head and feet are hard which encourages your dog to carry them properly. Also, the hard flopping head discourages the dog from shaking the dummy.
Do I need a firm or soft dummy?There are conflicting opinions on softness and firmness regarding what's best to avoid, or which will better solve mouth problems with dogs. Some say a firm dummy discourages chewing, and others say a soft dummy that offers less resistance accomplishes the same thing. "Hard Mouth," or a dog being too aggressive with a dummy or bird, can be a genetic trait, a man made problem, or combination of both. The best way to avoid mouth problems is not to snatch from your dog (creating possessiveness), and to practice short controlled retrieves so your dog doesn't have a chance to be too rough. Many dogs are force fetched or force retrieved which teaches them to hold an object properly.
Why use scent while training?Scent is used to teach a dog to hunt for a dead or wounded bird using it's sense of smell if you don't have a bird for practice. Scent can be liberally applied to a plastic or canvas dummy, or it can be injected into a foam dummy.
Generally you want to throw the dummy in some tall grass so they have to use their nose to find it. After a dog understands to "hunt dead" by practicing these drills, a more advanced drill is to take a dog to an area where the scented dummy has been placed (the dog does not see it thrown) and have them find it.
What brands do you sell?Our most popular training dummies are regular-sized SportDOG Lucky Dog dummies. These dummies are consistently well-made and very competitively priced. Some of the other brands of bumpers and retriever training throw dummies we carry include Avery, Dokken, RRT, DT Systems, PAC, and Real Duck. See all our retriever training dummies and bumpers here.
Shed Dog Training
Our dogs make excellent shed antler hunters as well! Above is a link to a great website to get you started. It is a surprisedly very easy thing for you and them to learn!
Our dogs make excellent shed antler hunters as well! Above is a link to a great website to get you started. It is a surprisedly very easy thing for you and them to learn!
Here is an informative article on Fenbendazole, aka, Panacur, the dewormer we would highly recommend you have at home and give to your dog every 4-6 months.
The vet will typically give your dog a dose of Strongid T, a limited dewormer. every one or two years. Unfortunately, with sporting dog breeds, and dogs in general that are around other dogs, birds, water, and public places, they are likely to be exposed and be affected to many different parasites, including Giardia. Research on Fenbendazole finds it has very few side effects, is generally safe and has many positive properties which include anti Giardia, and anti cancer effects. It is now recommended for us to give our pregnant mothers Fenbendazole every day from day 40 until 1 day after giving birth.
The vet will typically give your dog a dose of Strongid T, a limited dewormer. every one or two years. Unfortunately, with sporting dog breeds, and dogs in general that are around other dogs, birds, water, and public places, they are likely to be exposed and be affected to many different parasites, including Giardia. Research on Fenbendazole finds it has very few side effects, is generally safe and has many positive properties which include anti Giardia, and anti cancer effects. It is now recommended for us to give our pregnant mothers Fenbendazole every day from day 40 until 1 day after giving birth.
Click on link below to learn more about the PENN Hip evaluation method:
http://info.antechimagingservices.com/pennhip/navigation/general/what-is-PennHIP.htmlinfo.antechimagingservices.com/pennhip/navigation/general/what-is-PennHIP.html
http://info.antechimagingservices.com/pennhip/navigation/general/what-is-PennHIP.htmlinfo.antechimagingservices.com/pennhip/navigation/general/what-is-PennHIP.html
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An Excellent Reproduction Seminar about Dogs (Transcript), click on links below to read:
by Robert Hutchison, DVM We like to research best practices, and scientifically based studies regarding canine reproduction. Here is an interesting one worth sharing!
Date Published: 08/19/2002
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=6048084
by Robert Hutchison, DVM We like to research best practices, and scientifically based studies regarding canine reproduction. Here is an interesting one worth sharing!
Date Published: 08/19/2002
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=6048084