TomDavis

Tom Davis

DU Magazine Retrievers Columnist

The author of many books including Why Dogs Do That, The Orvis Book of Dogs, and The Tattered Autumn Sky, Tom Davis lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

All articles by Tom Davis

Retrievers: All-Around Gundogs

Retrievers: All-Around Gundogs

If you hunt waterfowl and upland birds, one of the versatile breeds might be the perfect choice for you

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Retrievers: The Power of Play

Retrievers: The Power of Play

Making training sessions fun will help unlock your retriever's true potential

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Retrievers: Cold-Weather Considerations

Retrievers: Cold-Weather Considerations

Keep your retriever safe in sub-freezing temperatures and ice-cold water

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Retrievers: The Long Run

Retrievers: The Long Run

Tips for training your dog to perform long-distance retrieves

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Retrievers: Double-Duty Dogs

Retrievers: Double-Duty Dogs

With proper training, your retriever can become an enthusiastic upland hunter

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Retrievers: Total Recall

Retrievers: Total Recall

Expert advice for teaching a foundational behavior

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Rock Star Retrievers

Rock Star Retrievers

Meet five of North America’s top-performing duck dogs and their owners

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Retrievers: The Legend

Retrievers: The Legend

Rex Carr had extraordinary influence on the art and science of retriever training

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Retrievers: Lost Dog!

Retrievers: Lost Dog!

Practical tips and technologies to prevent your retriever from going missing, and to find him if he does

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Retrievers: The Rookie

Retrievers: The Rookie

Expert advice on when and how to add a retriever to your team

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Retrievers: Tending to Teeth

Retrievers: Tending to Teeth

Untreated dental problems in dogs can sometimes lead to more serious health issues

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Retrievers: The Chase

Retrievers: The Chase

Finding and retrieving crippled birds is a duck dog's most valuable skill

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Scent Training

Scent Training

Help your retriever learn to follow his nose

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Big Dogs, Little Dogs

Big Dogs, Little Dogs

Retrievers of all sizes can get the job done, but some are better in certain situations than others

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Retrievers: The Road to Recovery

Retrievers: The Road to Recovery

After a serious injury or illness, your retriever needs a solid rehabilitation plan

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Retrievers: On the Road Again

Retrievers: On the Road Again

Keep your traveling retriever safe and healthy

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Living the Dream

Living the Dream

After winning the federal duck stamp competition twice and being named DU Artist of the Year four times, Richard Clifton is realizing his childhood aspirations

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Eyes and Ears

Eyes and Ears

Taking care of these vulnerable areas will help keep your retriever in the game

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Give Snipe a Go

Give Snipe a Go

These abundant, sporty birds offer a fun change of pace for waterfowlers and their retrievers

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Retrievers: The Re-Homed Retriever

Retrievers: The Re-Homed Retriever

How to find and adopt an older hunting dog

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Introduction to Water

Introduction to Water

Patience and encouragement are the keys to this fundamental step in your retriever’s training

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Gut Feelings

Gut Feelings

New research shows how important it is to maintain your dog’s gastrointestinal health

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Should I Breed My Retriever?

Should I Breed My Retriever?

A professional breeder offers advice to help you make the best decision for you and your dog

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Revving Up Your Retriever

Revving Up Your Retriever

There are several reasons why your retriever might lose interest in his job. Here's how to get his head back in the game

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Dream Team

Dream Team

With the right setup, the right training, and the right dogs, two retrievers can hunt together like a well-oiled machine

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The Great Dewclaw Debate

The Great Dewclaw Debate

Removing these vestigial toes may do more harm than good

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Collars and Leads

Collars and Leads

For training and for safety, every dog owner needs these basic tools

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An Ounce of Prevention

An Ounce of Prevention

Make sure your retriever is fully protected against diseases and parasites

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Star Power

Star Power

One of today's most talented wildlife artists, Adam Grimm also played a leading role in a documentary about the Federal Duck Stamp Contest

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Healthy Feet

Healthy Feet

Taking good care of your dog's paws will help him perform at his peak

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A Started Dog

A Started Dog

For some hunters, it makes sense to get a dog with a head start on his training

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Fueling the Fire

Fueling the Fire

A proper diet and feeding regimen will help gundogs reach their full potential in the field

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The Place Board

The Place Board

A simple platform can be a powerful and versatile training tool

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Crate Training

Crate Training

Don't skip this fundamental step in your retriever's education

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The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Originally bred to lure curious ducks into gun range, today’s “tollers” are intelligent, athletic, and versatile hunters

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A Polished Dog

A Polished Dog

Improve your retriever's performance by correcting these bad habits

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Dove Season Tune-Up

Dove Season Tune-Up

Hunting these plentiful game birds is a great way to get your retriever in shape for waterfowl season

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Whistle Commands

Whistle Commands

Mastering these communication skills is a crucial step in a retriever’s education

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The Spaniels

The Spaniels

These retrievers offer full-size performance in a pint-size package

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What Makes a Good Dog Great?

What Makes a Good Dog Great?

Experts share their opinions about the qualities that set the best retrievers apart from the rest of the pack

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Spaying or Neutering Your Retriever

Spaying or Neutering Your Retriever

New research is providing more information for dog owners considering these procedures

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Ten Performance Tips for Retrievers

Ten Performance Tips for Retrievers

Follow this expert advice to help your duck dog reach his full potential in the field

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