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Teaching the Heel Command to Your Cocker Spaniel
If you've ever tried walking a young Cocker Spaniel through a field, down a gravel road, or even across a parking lot, you've probably discovered one thing quickly: Cockers are naturally curious. Every scent, every bird, every rustle in the grass seems worth investigating.
Teaching the Hup Command with a Whistle
If there is one command that separates a pleasant hunting cocker from a chaotic one, it is the hup.
Hup or Sit?
If you've spent any time around working English Cockers, you've probably heard handlers use the word "hup" almost as often as they use a whistle.
How to Write Hunting Dog Ads That Actually Get Calls
A lot of folks think if they’ve got a good dog, it’ll sell no matter what.
How to Promote Your Hunting Dog Kennel
If you ask most kennel owners how they promote their dogs, you’ll hear the same answer: “I post them when they’re ready.” That approach might work once or twice, but it doesn’t build anything long-term. The kennels that consistently sell pups, build waiting lists, and stay relevant year after year take a different approach. They promote their kennel all the time, not just when they have something to sell.
How to Build a Kennel That Lasts
I’ve been running Gundog Central twenty years now, I’ve seen a lot of kennels come and go. I’ve seen new kennels shows up strong, produces a few litters, builds some buzz—and then quietly disappears. A few years later, nobody remembers the name.
Do you need a Gundog Central Kennel Account?
Most breeders only think about advertising when they have puppies on the ground. The most successful kennels think differently. They understand that reputation isn’t built in eight weeks — it’s built year-round. When someone begins searching for their next hunting companion, they rarely purchase from the first litter they see. They research. They compare bloodlines. They follow kennels for months, sometimes years, before making a decision. Maintaining a year-round kennel account on Gundog Central positions your program as established, professional, consistent, and invested. Instead of appearing only when there’s something to sell, you demonstrate that your kennel is committed to the long game.
Chase Ducks With A Canoe
My waterfowl hunting experience began like that of many other hunters — tagging along
Adjusting Your Training
When you have trained multiple dogs, once you find what works for you, it is natural to stick with the same method for each dog you train. If the way you introduce them to gun fire works, why change? If your drills for steadiness are successful, keep it up. That was the way I always felt. But as it turns out, we can get into that mentality and it is extremely difficult to break out of it when the time comes that we need to.
Free Floating firing pins
Are you a safe hunter or shooter? Most people would say they are. Most people handle guns by not pointing them at other people and proper storage of firearms. Do you leave your shotgun loaded in the field or at home? If so this information is for you. Most shotguns have a cross bolt safety. Is it really safe while on safe? The cross bolt safety only keeps the trigger from being pulled. This doesn’t keep the shotgun from firing. Most shotguns have a floating firing pin, if the firing pin takes a jolt or hard hit it can and may fire. If the bolt is slammed forward the gun may go off. Not saying it will or not but it is a possibility. What if someone is walking ahead of you when this happens? What if you are in you vehicle and the shotgun is loaded and you hit and really bad bump or get in an accident? The shotgun could fire during this also causing damage to your vehicle or worse. Always keep you gun pointed in a safe direction. A direction that would cause minor damage to property and no damage to a person. Keep guns unloaded and bolt opened to the rear, so others can see you gun is unloaded when not in use, especially during transport and in the field before hunting. This is especially important when hunting in a group. Always be aware of your surroundings. Know where everyone in your hunting party is and only shoot when safe to do so. Be careful and enjoy the outdoors!
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Retriever Safety
With a heave, I pulled my foot free of the thick muck, I wondered if another half mile of this was worth the trouble. The edge of this particular beaver pond seemed solid enough, but I had slogged far enough to find out that wasn’t the case. The previous day, a group of mallards were feeding on the far end of the hellish mire, and the decision was made to return with a couple dozen decoys. Behind me, my black lab was having a harder time than I was, the mud was clutching at her belly and legs, and the sharp ends of gnawed-off sticks protruded through the loamy sludge. Up ahead the mallards quacked and whistled tauntingly. Despite the temptation, I decided to turn back. To me, no duck is worth potentially injuring my dog.
Hunting Chromatic Snowbirds
No matter when snow blankets the landscape with white powdery ice crystals, it’s prime time for bird hunters to do what it takes to get after those ring-neck pheasants. If this means layering up like the Michelin Man or donning snowshoes, then so be it. Pheasants will seek out those places that offer protection from the elements, for when the heavy snow comes, and flatten sparse cover.
Meet Gen Next
Everyone loves puppies, but not everyone likes dogs. It’s unsurprising that the same holds true in the canine world. Many adult dogs don’t care that much for puppies, and some downright despise them. Making sure that the introduction is successful isn’t just important, it’s critical. That prevailing attitude means introductions to the new member of your string requires some thought and planning. After all, you only get one chance to make a good first impression.
Don’t Lose Your Birds
Almost every bird hunter has experienced the desperate disappointment of losing a downed bird. We all have had to walk away. It is not a good feeling when a bird is lost. Whether using dogs or not, knowing that a bird has been shot and the feeling of being unable to locate it is unnerving.
C-C-C-Cold-Weather Canine Care
Our October and November waterfowl hunts weren’t anything to write about. Air temps north of us hovered between 70-and-82 degrees Fahrenheit, and with all of that open water those birds weren’t in a hurry to go anywhere. A bone-chilling cold snap rolled in just before Christmas, and it spanned half of the East Coast from Canada to Maryland. The season’s entire migration seemed to arrive all at once.
