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Mission: Condition
Is your favorite companion tuned up and ready for season?  Well, if  he, or she is not by now, chances are you are too late. When we neglect conditioning our gundog before the season opener, the results can make for what should have been a great hunt, turn out to be just a bad memory. Exercise during the off season is just as important to your dog, if not more important, than during season. Lets face it, life is a busy place and there is alot to worry about in the off season, like fishing, and spring turkey. But if you choose to leave ole fido in the kennel until season arrives, then throw him in the dog box, turn him out in the field, and expect the model hunting companion, then I promise you that you are going to be very disappointed. And, shame on you for doing it. Just like us, that dog has waited since last year for this day to come, and if in the months leading up to season you have not taken some time out of your busy schedule to exercise your dog and spend some time on the basics, then you have no one to blame but yourself when you cant talk at the end of opening day and your e collar is dead. Not to mention the fact that your buddies will probably not be calling you next weekend because of your dog busting birds all morning, and then burning out by the afternoon. So, spend some time with your gundog all year long, not just during hunting season. The benefits of a dog that has had the proper amount of exercise during the year will show great rewards during hunting season. Your dog will be more focused and ready to please. Just remember, the instincts are in the breeding, the rest is up to you. Happy hunting.
Go Slow When Introducing a Dog to Gunfire
Sometimes hunters are so eager to develop their new pup into a hunting dog that they rush things. With some training exercises, if you make a mistake and try to teach something too fast, you can fix the resulting problems by going back and starting over. In others cases, such as with introduction to gunfire, you don't get a second chance.
Understanding Canine Influenza
If you have been watching the news lately or reading metropolitan newspapers, you may have noticed articles about a "new" flu outbreak in dogs. In some sections of the country, veterinarians are reporting a near-panic situation around this canine flu news. Here are the facts.
The Opener
This year I was blessed and duck season opened while I was home on leave from Iraq. Luckly, it also happened to be three weeks earlier than any date I can remember. As soon as I heard the news of the opener, I couldn't help but think of all the good days and the not so good days spent in the duck blind. I remembered hunts from the past, dogs I've hunted over and the friends I shared these experiences with. This one was sure to become one of those fond memories.
Tips for selling your dogs online
I'd like to take a few minutes to share some tips that might help you have more success marketing your dog(s) on the internet. I approve ads on this site, just about every single day, unless I don't have access to a computer. Since I launched this site, I've had to approve A LOT of ads. I enjoy looking at a well put together ad and like to see what everyone has to offer, but it's disappointing when I see someone that hasn't taken the time to list their dog properly.
Retriever Corner
There are many schools of thought regarding progression with yard basics. In this article I will address my personal schedule aimed specifically at the T pattern drill I use in developing skills needed for swim-by work and beginning cold blind work.
Training a new puppy
In the summer of 2002, I raised two 8-week of females GSPs, from weaned puppy to started bird dog. Beginning with their introduction to birds, gunfire and all the rest that goes with being a bird dog and culminating with a successful 4-day hunting trip to South Dakota in October just prior to their being shipped to Japan to be with their new owners. This project was alot of fun. I miss these pups alot, but I know that they are doing well due to the nice start I gave them. You can do the same thing with your young bird dog, it just takes time and patience. Of course you must remember the most important thing about making a bird dog...start with a bird dog!!
