Dogs And Retrieving Dummies

I incorporate a number of hunting dog concepts and tools when training dogs. Hunting dogs do more off leash work than any other type of dog related activities, either for pleasure, sport or for professional purposes. 

As such, there are a number of hunting dog training tools that I use in lessons. For example, I make good use of soft, floating, dog training bumpers. There are many fine points as to which ones to use for different purposes and refinements, which would take a much longer post than this. So, to make things simple, I recommend starting with the all white ones. These are for teaching Fetch on land and in water. Also, you want one that is thin enough for your dog to grasp with their mouth. Bigger isn't better. Too big is useless, so unfortunately, for very small breeds I have to use alternative fetch tools for this purpose (don't buy the below-mentioned fetch bumper for small dogs since it will be too big for them). 

One mistake people make is to leave these around for the dogs to chew on. These are not meant as chew toys. They are for interactive retrieving exercises, so when the tasks are completed, put them away and give your dog something else to chew on.

Fetch exercises have many very important purposes so as to develop well trained dogs. In my opinion, it is very disappointing to see so many trainers who focus all their work on forcing dogs to lay still, sometimes for hours, on a dog bed or cot, usually using an electric collar. When I see that kind of thing, I feel sorry for the dogs. These are dogs that are systematically deprived of being a dog. They can never develop their talents, and the owners never get the engagement and personal relationship that their dog could have given them. Just bullying a dog into not moving isn't "training". I think it is disrespectful to the dog, and to the owner. These are quick fix methods that are used because the trainer lacks the curiosity and expertise to find out better ways to stop jumping, running out a door, chewing on the owner's stuff, not barking, or to expend energy. How about figuring out how to get dogs to do something productive with all that energy, discovering self control, and working cooperatively with the owner? Fetch is a tool that I use to open that door.

Here is one type of hunting dog bumper that I regularly recommend: the Avery ASD 2" Hexabumper

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