Puppy Supplies

The proper supplies are necessary when bringing home a new puppy whether this puppy is intended to be a family pet, hunting companion or both. These supplies will help you and your pup get off to the right start. Hunting dog supply stores will have everything you need along with helpful advice. Among the most important items are a training collar, and a dog crate.

Training collar

Every dog needs a good training collar. This is especially true of hunting dogs. There are several varieties of training collars, with the two most common being a choke collar which is used for obedience training and an electric dog training collar which is used to teach hunting.

A choke collar is excellent for teaching basic obedience. These are commonly used when training non-hunting dogs. Choke collars are typically made of metal or nylon. Some choke collars come in a pinch-style to aid in the control of more energetic and willful dogs.

Positive reinforcement is a gentle training method that is fine for many dogs, but responsible use of an electronic training collar is a valuable tool for larger and more spirited hunting dogs. These collars deliver a mild electronic shock. Hunting dogs and other large breeds tend to respond very well to electronic dog training collars. It is important for hunting dogs to be obedient as well as adept in the field. Firm and consistent training will create a safe environment for your valuable hunting companion.

Dog crates

Puppies are not usually fully housebroken until they are a year old. Potty training accidents, chewing and begging are only some of the issues that will constantly have to be addressed. It is therefore common for owners to house their puppies in a dog crate when they are inside and unsupervised.

Many people feel that crating a dog is cruel, but most dogs usually are quite happy being in a proper sized crate. A crate should be just large enough for a dog to stand upright and turn around comfortably. The enclosed space will act as a den and the dog will come to view it as a safe and secure haven.

Pet and hunting supply stores will have a wide variety of dog crates from rigid, decorative and collapsible. Collapsible crates are easily transportable and ideal for hunting dogs. They are light weight and usually made of metal wire. Because they are easily stored, these collapsible crates are also good for those owners who only intend to use the crate during the housebreaking phase.

Hunting dog supplies

Creating a valuable hunting dog out of a rambunctious puppy will take time and patience. Training must start early and with the proper training supplies. Advice and supplies can be found at hunting dog supply stores.

Some other items you will wish to use are dog whistles, bird launchers and dog training bumpers. The whistle is a valuable tool in training your dog to recall. For retrieval training, bird launchers and dog training bumpers are necessary.

Geoffrey A. English is the Founder of GundogsOnline.com, the internet's premiere online magazine dedicated to bird dogs. Visit their site for more information on training bird dogs and hunting dog supplies including a wide variety of dog leads, shooting glasses, and electronic hearing protection.