Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some questions and answers which we often deal with. If you have a question that is not covered here, please contact us.
Why are there different Dummy colours?
Some dummy colours are easier for dogs to see than others. Dogs see contrasts, they don't see in "colour." Retrievers can see some shades of colour, but they don't see colour the way humans see colour. An orange dummy can look gray to a dog. It depends on what background the orange dummy up against, but for the majority of backgrounds the orange disappears. Orange retrieving dummies don't have the contrast that a white retrieving dummy has against a dark background or a black training dummy has against a light background. The white/black dummies are really popular because you get the best of both worlds.
Why are there different sizes and materials?
Canvas Dummies are easy to hold in the mouth. Plastic dummies are easier to maintain, but it's mostly a matter of personal preference whether you choose plastic or canvas. It's a good idea to mix sizes and types of retriever dummies so your dog doesn't get used to picking up just one dummy, and possibly not pick up anything else! It's also important to use birds in training whenever possible for the same reason.
Why gun dogs can benefit from whistle training?
There are some obvious benefits to a dog whistle. A good whistle carries a long way, further than most people can shout, and your whistle won’t get a sore throat if you use it too often. If you don’t have a very powerful voice, a whistle will certainly help you.There are other benefits too. When we are dog training, the cue or signals we give our dogs are easier for the dog to learn if they are consistent.
What else do I need for whistle training?
You’ll also need a lanyard to hang the whistle around your neck. You can’t manage without one, the whistle needs to be right there near your mouth because you can never be sure when you might need it. The lanyard is also handy for hanging your whistle up when you get home.
Which frequency whistle is best 211.5 or 210.5?
You may hear people say that one frequency is for Spaniels and the other for Retrievers, but it simply doesn’t matter. What is important is that you are consistent. Pick your frequency and stick to it.
How to use your whistle?
Before you start training your dog, its a good idea to get the hang of using the whistle and making a distinctive sound with it.Try blowing a single blast both softly and loudly. Use your tongue to break up the sound and tap out a series of ‘pips’ – its a bit like say ’t-t-t’ at the same time as you blow.
Why use scent while training?
Scent is used to teach a dog to hunt for game using it's sense of smell. Scent is best applied to a canvas or game/rabbit dummy, either poured with Liquid or rubbed on with scent Stick. Can also be injected into a foam dummy. Generally you want to throw the dummy in some tall grass so they have to use their nose to find it. After a dog understands to "hunt dead" by practising these drills, a more advanced drill is to take a dog to an area where the scented dummy has been placed (the dog does not see it thrown) and have them find it.
Do I need a firm or soft dummy?
There are conflicting opinions on softness and firmness regarding what's best to avoid, or which will better solve mouth problems with dogs. Some say a firm dummy discourages chewing, and others say a soft dummy that offers less resistance accomplishes the same thing. "Hard Mouth," or a dog being too aggressive with a dummy or bird, can be a genetic trait, a man made problem, or combination of both. The best way to avoid mouth problems is not to snatch from your dog (creating possessiveness), and to practice short controlled retrieves so your dog doesn't have a chance to be too rough.
