Every dog owner knows how great their favorite hobby can be with their furry friend right by their side. In terms of duck hunting, there’s no better companion than your dog. Not only do they keep you company while sitting and waiting for ducks to come by, but they also have natural instincts that can help make your trip a successful one. But before taking your dog out, you’ll need to know a few procedures and have some hunting dog gear to keep you and your companion safe.
Learn About Canine Duck Hunting Safety
Dogs can make great companions on your hunt, offering capabilities that humans just don’t have. Canines have a strong sense of smell, which allows them to sniff out waterfowl, even if you don’t see it. They also naturally have instincts that allow them to understand the patterns and movements of wildlife, meaning they can better assist you in tracking down game.
But while dogs have these innate talents, you must still train them to hunt and follow a few procedures to ensure your canine stays safe while you’re out. Whether you’ve hunted with your dog countless times, or are about to take out your pooch for the first time, carefully review these tips:
Train Your Dog to Understand Hunting
As stated before, dogs already possess traits that allow them to better understand animal patterns and behaviors. However, extensive training is essential before taking them out on their first hunt. Not only must you train dogs to become used to the noise of gunshots, but you must also show them how to spot and retrieve game.
When training your dog, it can help to start with the basics, such as teaching them how to stay, sit and come. Remote training collars are an essential tool to have, as these are worn around your dog’s neck, and are controlled by you via a remote control. As your dog trains, you press the remote to deliver a correction, whether it be a sound, vibration or shock, which alerts pups and lets them know not to do the behavior again. For instance, you may throw a training dummy and your dog becomes distracted – in this case, the remote training collar will deliver a correction to get your pup back on track.
From clickers and whistles to sound wave devices, there are a variety of other training tools you should have in your setup, including:
- Training dummies: These help dogs learn retrieval and are designed to look and feel like actual game, often featuring durable, weighted constructions that can handle seasonal weather.
- Sound wave devices: These deliver high-pitched sounds (which humans can’t hear) to deter dogs from displaying unwanted behaviors.
- Clickers: These make a low clicking sound, which you activate once your dog completes a task successfully. In conjunction with treats, your dog will eventually associate the clicking sound as a reward for good behavior or a completed command.
- Whistles: These are most often used to call back dogs, offering a loud sound for hunting on vast lands.
Prepare Them for Their Hunt
Ducks can harbor many diseases and illnesses – from Salmonella and bird flu. Therefore, it’s essential that you protect your dog and prepare them for hunting waterfowl. The first step you should take is making an appointment with your veterinarian. This way, they can recommend vaccinations and give them other preventative medicines and general wellness products, all of which you can find in our selection.
Additionally, dogs roaming in long, untrimmed grasses may be susceptible to picking up fleas and ticks during their hunt, meaning you’ll need flea and tick prevention for your dog before leaving. Topical treatments can be applied right before leaving and stay on your pup’s fur to prevent fleas and ticks from hanging on. But if you’re looking for easier ways to protect your dog, opt for a collar, which they wear around their necks for all-around resistance.
Always Monitor Your Dog’s Location
Dogs, especially hunting dogs, love to roam around and explore, evoking their natural hunting instincts – and some run out of your sight to retrieve game. Since you might not see your dog from time to time, it’s recommended to track your dog’s location, which can be done using a GPS-tracking collar. Doing so means you can avoid shooting in their general area, keeping them safe from accidental injuries. It’ll also reduce the chances that your dog becomes lost in vast, open areas in the wilderness.
To further protect your best hunting buddy, it can help to establish a no-shoot zone, where you avoid shooting at any incoming birds while your dog is out of your vision, allowing them to stay safe.
Gather Must-Have Accessories for Dogs on the Hunt
Before taking your furry hunting companion on your next excursion, you should have a few accessories to ensure they stay safe, alert and ready for anything. Waterfowl hunting usually requires long treks to find suitable game, and you must make sure you have everything you need packed and ready to go in your hunting bag. Consider the following for your setup:
Hunting Kennels
Hunting kennels allow for easy transporting of pups, from your home to the car to the hunting site. They can also be used to secure dogs while you’re hunting from blinds, and they come with durable constructions to withstand the outdoors. Make their kennel cozier by putting in a cushioned, soft travel bed, and ensure they have everything they need by packing portable water and food containers, allowing them to stay hydrated and ready for anything.
When they get to the campsite, give them a space to retreat to and relax with a packable pet tent. If you plan on hunting near water, it may also be a good idea to get them a dog life jacket, allowing them to stay safe no matter where the adventure takes them.
Safety Lights
If you plan on hunting at night or in low-light conditions, you must have ways to keep your dog visible, ensuring they don’t become lost. This is where having a safety light can help, allowing you to better track their location. These can attach to your dog’s collar via a keyring. You can also find training collars with a light built-in for convenience.
Harnesses and Collars
Many dogs already wear harnesses and collars regularly – but if you live Life Out Here, you may not see a reason as to why they need one. But no matter how trained your dog is, they should still wear a collar or harness, especially when going out to hunt. Not only do they allow you to attach leashes, but they can also work to keep your dog visible, with brighter colors letting them stand out against nature. Harnesses and collars should fit well and snugly against their body or neck, ensuring they stay on and secure.
I.D. Tags
I.D. tags provide important information in case your dog becomes lost, including your name, your dog’s name, your phone number and address. They attach right to collars, meaning if someone finds your dog, they can easily reach out to return them. This ensures you can reunite with your furry friend even faster and have peace of mind that you’ll be contacted if they’re found.
Poop Bags
Dogs will inevitably need to do their business while out on the hunt, and you must have ways to clean up after them. Sitting waste can potentially spread diseases to local ecosystems. Not to mention, it’s always courteous to clean up after your dog. Be sure to bring a pack of poop bags, which allow you to pick up waste easily and throw it out when you return from your hunt.
First Aid Kits
You never know what could happen on the hunting field – and you must stay ready for anything by having a pet first aid kit in your arsenal. These include essential medical supplies, such as antiseptic and bandages, allowing you to care for cuts and other injuries on your pup quickly, and preventing dirt, debris and bacteria from getting inside injuries. Make sure to pack one in your bag before leaving just in case.
Hunting Leashes
Hunting leashes are made longer than traditional options, allowing dogs to roam freely around your hunting site with fewer restrictions. They’re also great for keeping dogs nearby when walking around fields or water for game. These come in neutral colors, or opt for brighter colors, such as orange or yellow, for enhanced safety and visibility.
Prepare to Provide Post-Hunt Care
After all the running and exploring, your dog will likely be ready to hit the hay once your hunting trip ends. But they’ll also be using a lot of energy throughout the day, meaning you should give them nutritious, hardy food and some fresh water after your hunt. This is also a great time to sneak in any supplements or medications that your veterinarian suggested, allowing them to get everything they need while recovering from an exciting adventure.
Next, you should check your dog for any ticks or signs of injury, being sure to carefully look through fur and inside ears. This allows you to get ahead of any injuries or animal bites, keeping your dog safe and healthy. And because duck hunting usually involves getting down and dirty in the mud, your dog’s coat will need a cleaning and shine boost. Have some grooming accessories on hand, such as shampoos and conditioners, brushes and combs and detangling sprays.
Finally, don’t forget about playtime to reward them for all their hard work! Be sure to bring along their favorite dog toy, allowing them to get the rest of their energy out before a good, long nap. You should also have dog treats on hand to reward them during and after hunts. Consider their favorite flavors, such as chicken, beef or peanut butter.
Prepare for Life Out Here’s Hunting Adventures with Tractor Supply
Whether you’re someone whose furry friend has been your go-to hunting partner for a while or are looking to get your dog in the game, having the right hunting dog gear can ensure your pet’s safety, all while contributing to a successful hunt. From training dummies to training collar batteries and chargers, you can find everything you need to prepare your dog for their next adventure. To learn more about what we offer, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.