SportDOG: Good Reasons to Crate-Train Your Hunting Dog

by
posted on August 11, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
dogs_ah2015_fs.jpg (53)

As we've discussed here, crate-training your puppy should be one of his first obedience lessons. It lays the foundation for more advanced training, it aids greatly in house-breaking and it just plain keeps him safer when you aren't around. It's not mean—it's the right thing to do.

More recently I came across a blog post on the subject by professional retriever trainer Rick Grant on the SportDOG Brand website. It's well worth the full read, as it delves into four hunting-dog specific reasons to crate-train your dog.

My favorite point Grant makes is one I had not considered: One day you'll have to send your duck dog ahead of you for retrieves or your upland dog—be it a pointer or flusher—ahead of you to hunt.

"With those concepts in mind, what better way to reinforce the concept than sending [your dog] to his kennel?" Grant writes. "Once your dog knows what 'Kennel' means, you should be able to send him there from 10 feet, 30 feet, or really almost any distance."

Do you crate-train your dogs? Why or why not?

Latest

W H2026 04 Hog Cleaning IMG 6970
W H2026 04 Hog Cleaning IMG 6970

Hog Hunting with Chef Holly: Hogs from Field to Table

Want to learn how to handle a hog from field to table? Listen to a chef who dedicated a summer to doing just that. Here’s what she learned about cleaning and cooking wild hogs.

First Look: Woox Bravado Grey Laminate Stocks

Woox has announced its new Bravado Grey Laminate line of stocks. These stocks are engineered for compatibility with Henry and Marlin lever-action rifles.

#SundayGunday: Thompson/Center Arms Encore ProHunter

On this week's #SundayGunday, we check out the T/C Encore ProHunter. It is a stainless steel, break-action, interchangeable barrel, single-shot rifle, that can be fitted with any number of barrels, from centerfire to muzzleloader. On the centerfires, it has a 26-inch heavy fluted barrel with a muzzle threaded to add a brake or silencer. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Alligator Hunting Opportunities Are Expanding

This year, both Florida and Louisiana are expanding or introducing new opportunities for alligator hunts. For decades, Florida has estimated that there are over one million in the state—it is, of course, hard to count alligators. Louisiana now says its alligator population exceeds three million. The two states have managed their alligator populations very differently over the last half century, but now both are expanding hunting opportunities to help manage alligator populations.

Equipment to Film and Shoot Like the Pros

Curious how the pros get such great shots of their hunts? Check out some of the equipment they use to make sure their hunts look as smooth on camera as they go in the field.

First Look: Tuo Ballistic Storm

Tuo's Ballistic StormJacket and Pant are a field-proven solution for hunters who prioritize reliability in the face of volatile weather. The foundation of Ballistic Storm is its sophisticated three-layer polyurethane (PU) laminated polyester fabric, which serves as the core of the proprietary H-Tuo waterproof and windproof breathable membrane system.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.