Training Tip

"Happy Bumpers"

For those of you who do not know what “Happy Bumpers” are, they are bumpers that you throw to make your dog “happy” or just for fun!  Your dog doesn’t have to be steady to get the bumper and you want to it throw in a happy/fun way.  Many people throw happy bumpers just because or for exercise.  Don’t do that!  First of all Happy Bumpers are NOT exercise...take your dog for a walk!  Second, dogs who get lots of happy bumpers usually pick up bad habits.  For example, your dog will often break down when retrieving a longer mark at the distance that you can throw a happy bumper.  Also, your dog will look at you to throw more bumpers and not in the field where the bird will be. Save your happy bumpers for a training tool!  If your dog is having a hard time with a concept throw a happy bumper for him to break up the session.  If your dog finally does what you want throw her a happy bumper as a reward.  You will get much more out of your happy bumpers if used correctly...as a reward!
 

Holiday Boarding 

Free Training Included!

All Breed Training and Boarding for the price of boarding only.  Why would you have your dog just boarded when they could also be obedience trained during their stay?!?   This training can be for a dog that has already been in for training and needs a refresher or for a new dog.  The holiday special is also available for Retriever Training.  Take advantage of this special promotion and book your dogs boarded stay for the weeks of Thankgiving, Christmas and New Years today!

If you are not leaving town for the holidays but looking for a special gift...dog training could be it!  Gift Certificates are available for monthly training, boarding, and/or lessons. For more information visit my Holiday Promotion page.
 

First Hunting Season

Top Four Tips For Success 

Every year before hunting season I send home my training dogs.  For some it is their 8th season of hunting and I pretty much know exactly what the dog and owner will be doing out hunting.  For others it is the dog's first season.  For these dogs, I will be honest, I worry...I have spent a lot of time training them and they go home doing well and I hope that they will continue, but to be honest you never know what will happen out hunting because there are so many variables.  For example, you might sit in the blind all day and not see a single bird, or you might go out with a buddy and because their dog is not steady they get all the birds and your dog doesn't.  Because of all the things that can happen in your dog's first hunting season here are my tips to make this season positive for you and your dog.

Tip 1- Success- Try your best to make your dog successful.  For example, do NOT take you dog out for their first day hunting with your five buddies and their 5 dogs!  Your new dog will either not get any birds and/or pick up bad habits from the other dogs!  You should avoid a situation like this.

Tip 2- Prepare your dog-  For example, if you will be hunting out of a boat do not make the opening day of duck season be the first time your dog is in the boat.   Have your dog sit in your boat in your driveway.  Take them on a short boat ride and throw bumpers out of the boat to teach them the right way to get in and out of the boat.

Tip 3 - Don't get frustrated-  Remember this is your dogs first time hunting!  You were not the best at riding a bike the first time you tried, you probably fell down a lot!  For everything that you can teach your dog in training there is another thing that they can only learn while out hunting.  Keep in mind that everything that your dog learns hunting this season will make him a better hunting partner next year and for many seasons to come!

Tip 4- Don't let your dog get away with things.  Keep in mind that the things you let your dog get away with this season will come back to haunt you either when you try and run Hunt Tests or next season.  For example, if you want your dog to be steady you have to keep on them.  If your dog starts creeping this season and you don't correct them chances are next year they will be breaking and nobody wants that!  The same can be said for delivery of the bird.  If your dog it taught to come to heel and sit and give you the bird and you start letting them drop it at your feet you will have a training battle when you want them to deliver to hand again.