• Bowls - we prefer Stainless Steel & Dishwasher safe

• Dog Food

  • We feed Inukshuk

    Website explains benefits such as high density, low volume.

    • Can be found at local professionals that resale (Inukshuk website/ Facebook Marketplace) for small markup or be found on websites such as Chewy.com

  • Low calorie:

    Professional Dry Dog Food 26/16

    Medium calorie:

    Professional Dry Dog Food 30/25

    • used during summer/ low activity, dogs that have weight issues

    High calorie:

    Professional Dry Dog Food 32/32

    • We normally wean out puppies on the high calorie variety, and feed it to adults during hunting / high activity season

• Dog Collar

  • Expect to have to buy a puppy collar and an adult collar

    • Puppy Collar size - 3" neck diameter, purchase with room to grow - Collar 13" long

    • Adult Collar - 15"-16" neck diameter on average - Collar 20" long

  • We do not advise to use harnesses, harnesses where made for animals to pull and feel no discomfort.
    Instead we promote proper leash training where the dog learns to walk on a loose leash.

• Leash

• Dog Crate (Plastic or Wire Crate)

  • Ruffland Crates - https://www.rufflandkennels.com
    Size Intermediate or Large
    Great for cars, no rattling, easy to clean, however do not collapse,

  • Wire Crates collapse, lots of ventilation, cheaper, harder to clean up accidents

• Primo Pads - https://primopads.com

  • Dogs like soft place to rest but often dig up bedding that is too hot for them. Instead of blankets that require washing a great alternative that can just be wiped off and is cool.
    Must fit tightly in crate to prevent chewing of the corners

• Dog Bed

  • Kuranda Dog Bed - https://kuranda.com/

    Size Large or bigger,
    Great Dog bed for inside (attractive washable covers available also) or outside, nearly indestructible
    Can also be used for place board training

• Toy/Busy Bone

  • Busy Penguin / Peanut Butter - PetSafe Busy Penguin size Large

    Used for crate training / busy bone / treat, can be put in dishwasher.

    Put Peanut Butter in Zip Lock back, microwave for a few seconds until pliable, cut a small corner of the zip lock bag and pipe into Busy Penguin cavity, can be frozen after. Great toy for distracting a puppy when you leave in in crate alonge, or as a reward / treat

  • Cow Hooves - dogs will NOT be able to chew and swallow as a whole like they can with rawhides

• Nail Grinder & Bit

  • We prefer to grind dog nails vs clipping. Our puppies are started on a grinder at an early age.
    When you hear the clicking of dog nails on the floor it is time to grind/clip nails. We use a cordless Dremel & a Diama Groove bit that will last a live time, you can also use disposable sanding drums.

  • Dremel (any brand will do)

  • Diama Groove Dremel tool bit for Dog Nail Grinding by Whitman's - Pinnacle / Standard Grit

• Grooming Tools

  • For Stripping the Coat:

    • Fine & Coarse Stripping Knife
      Lots of Options available / personal preference:
      Metal w/ plastic handle Stripping Knife

    • Stripping Powder helps get a good grip on the coat, makes getting a good grip easier

    • Simple Latex rubber gloves for a better grip

    • Simple Comb (also good to check coat after running in the field to remove debris)

    • Video on how to strip - Stripping Video
      

• Pen for containment

  • Puppy Wire pens or wooden ones are available and can be useful but are not necessary

  • Waterproof washable pads can be use under the pen, larger then the pen so chewing on the corners of the pads is avoided.

• Containment in the yard

  • A fence is the obvious choice but we also have had very good experience with Underground Dog Fence

    • Underground Dog Fence we use: Sport Dog Contain & Train

      System can be expanded to multiple dogs, also comes with transmitter for basic training

• Dog Door

  • Many options out there, however living in the Midwest, we experience harsh climates and needing an airtight but tuff dog door to save on heating/cooling costs which is worth the investment to us.
    We have been extremely impressed by:
    Armor Flex Air Tight Aluminum Frame Pet Doors by High Tech Pet - size Large

Hunting Related:

• Check Cord

  • Short puppy check cord - can be just a string with a snap

    Recommended a short length - maybe 10-15' - light weight, for the beginning stages of here & shaping retrieve by using cord to slowly “reel” them in in front or next to you depending on delivery preference.

    !!!! IMPORTANT to praise them and to NOT take the retrieved item out of their mouth at the beginning to shape natural retrieve. This encourages them to want to bring item to you versus associating it with you taking item away - which leads to keep away game.

  • Standard length check cord 30' when the puppy gets older

• Place Board(s)

  • It helps if it is slightly elevated and visible.
    Used for a variety of training such as place training, shaping retrieve placement, learning directions, etc

    • Can be Cato Place Board, Kuranda Dog bed, piece of cardboard, etc

• GPS E-collar

  • Once your puppy starts covering more ground, with high cover that makes visibility difficult it helps knowing location and avoid loosing your dog in the field.

• E-collar (personal preference)

  trusted brands: Garmin / Dogtra

• Visibility Hunting Vest or Flash Collar

• Hunting Skid Vest that protects chest from harsh cover (need depends on cover you hunt)

  • Mendota Skid Plate

    - size Medium: teenage size to adult dog (45lb max)

    - size Lage adult dog (50lb)

• Training Material:
  Here are some training materials we recommend. There are many good training materials out there, these ones we recommend due to personal experience / methods we use:

  • Perfect Gun Introduction Video - Perfection Kennel

  • Perfect Start Video - Perfection Kennel

  • Perfect Retrieve Video - Perfection Kennel

  • Place Board Training for puppies - Standing Stone Kennels / Cato Board YouTube Videos

• Whistle

• Tie Out

  • ALWAYS under supervision, while training keeps dog cool & contained, also teaches patience
    

Contact information

✉ sccch81@netins.net (preferred)

✆ (319) 530 7722 (please text or leave message)