Getting started in your Gundog training can be quite daunting with the amount of products available and what you do & donāt need. The three very basic things to get you started would be a whistle, a dummy and a leadā¦take a look at the list below to see further Gundog training equipment šš½
Dog! - Starting the day off with what may seem like an obvious item in your dog training journey, however chowing the right dog for you is essential. Do you research into the Gundog breeds and deciding which best suits you, your lifestyle and what your end goal is (from a well trained pet to a trialling dog) will help much more with your enjoyment of training and days out.
Whistle - These are what most Gundog owners across the world use and rely on. We like to use the Acme 211.5 for our Spaniels. It is essential to teach yourself different commands and how to use your whistle before you begin whistle training.
Slip Lead - A great piece of equipment that is easy to put on and remove. The slip lead will help install heel work into your dog and doesnāt harm them in any way if used correctly.
Dummies - there are plenty of varieties and brands of dummies available to aid with lots of scenarios. Dummies are brilliant to introduce your dog to retrieving heavier items, simulating retrieving quarry and continuing your training.
Tennis Ball - this piece of equipment can be bought pretty much anywhere and are perfect from day 1 of you getting your first gundog for fun retrieving and hunting games, building up drive and aiding looking for objects to a trained dog using their nose to find that small retrieve.
Dummy Launcher - Another fantastic piece of equipment that can be used when advancing your dogās training. The dummy launcher simulates shot and retrieve dropping out of the sky or bolting across the floor and can aid with marking, longer distance retrieves and getting used to shot sound.
Place Boards - These are a piece of equipment that are like marmite - you like them or you don't! Personally i use place boards for all my dogs and resident dogs as they are a great tool for various parts of your dog training installing basics.
Game Bag/Vest - At Ribblebrook we prefer the use of a vest as it can be used all year round for both game & dummies and it evenly distributes the weight across your shoulders and back!
Starting Pistol - Similar to the dummy launcher, a pistol is a good introduction to shot sound when used correctly.
Cold Game - Not all dogs enjoy retrieving dummies or tennis balls and only like the real thing. By having cold game readily available in your freezer, you can advance your dogās training and introduce to cold game, or train your dog that doesnāt like dummies when freshly shot isnāt available.
Knowledge - Certainly a must-have before you begin training. There are various ways of gaining knowledge of how to train a dog, some of the options are; Gundog training books, DVDās (such as Paul Frenchās wide range), YouTube videos or seeing your local trainer and learning all about it.
Patience - Rome wasnāt built in a day! Training your dog can be a long process, depending on your dog, itās temperament, problems that arise and training facilities - and it isnāt a race. By reading your dogās behaviour you can advance your training when your dog tells you that it is ready, by putting too much pressure on a dog that isnāt ready can easily un-do lots of your efforts or cause your dog to lose its drive.
If you are ever unsure regarding how to get started, the next steps or a problem that has arisen, find your local Gundog trainer and they will be more than happy to help you.
All of our equipment is purchased from Susses Gundog Supplies, to get yours today click on the link below and at the checkout add code 'RIBBLEBROOK' to take 10% off your orders š¤©
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