Gundogs: Build a Dog with Backbone

by
posted on July 23, 2019
** 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. **
buildadogwithbackbone_lead.jpg

If you want a bold, inquisitive, confident dog ready to tackle new situations and environments, mix it up. Avoid routine. The more of the world puppies encounter safely, the better they’ll adapt to accept and handle it. Carry the little fur ball into your car for short rides. Put her in the pickup bed to play. Give her a ride on your bicycle, ATV, tractor, skis, boat … . Have her sleep in a different room each night, you with her at first if necessary.

Ship her out to your buddy’s place for a day or two. Get her used to sleeping in a travel kennel in various buildings, cars, boats, even outside. Put her on leash and let her sniff and investigate chickens, house cats, cattle, horses and especially other dogs. Strap different collars on her, particularly any e-collars you plan to use down the road. Let her drag the leash, then a 30-foot check cord. Have her play around a pile of decoys, splash in puddles and small streams. Get her into warm, calm lakes and swim with her. Show her how to calmly approach fences and either duck under or wait for you to help her over.

When it comes to loud noises, like gunshots, you can teach your new pup to appreciate the sound with a bag of balloons and a little reinforcement.

In rural America I start my pups by calling them to dinner with a .22 Long Rifle fired on the back side of the house while he’s wagging at the door out front. Then I whistle and call Pup’s name. His reward is the food he’s been craving. In town just pop a balloon from a reasonable distance so as to alert Pup without startling him. It’s simple Pavlovian conditioning. Soon those loud pops will mean “bird down” and Pup will be racing in to find it. Mix it up. Show Pup the world and guide her safely in it and you’ll have a lifetime partner willing and able to go with you anywhere.

Latest

44 Mag HST LEDE
44 Mag HST LEDE

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Breeding Duck Numbers Decline Again in ND

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 78th-annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66-million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

New for 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke in 450 Bushmaster

Christensen Arms has announced the release of the Evoke rifle chambered in powerful 450 Bushmaster.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.