Retriever Training

Best Bumper Drills for Retrieval Training

This article is provided by GUNNER Kennels as part of a Sponsored Content program. Ducks Unlimited editorial staff played no role in creating this content. By Addison Edmonds, founder of GUNNER (DU Proud Partner) Courtesy of GUNNER Kennels When I was in college I got a dog who would change my life: Gunner, a chocolate lab who absolutely lived to retrieve. He inspired me to start GUNNER nearly 10 years ago. We launched the company with the G1™ kennel, and at the time I also wrote down “Man’s Best Bumper” on my goal board – because I knew that the standard tool was a frustrating, cheap product that I could make better. In 2023, GUNNER introduced a bumper that’s engineered to make the dog owner’s life easier, providing unmatched durability and versatility. I won’t call myself an expert or a professional trainer, but I’ve spent a lot of time around pros and training my own dogs, and I’ve spent just as much time in R&D creating the bumper. These are my top drills to get started with retrieving with your dog this spring (ideally with the GUNNER bumper). Keep in mind that everyone trains differently, but all of these drills aim to build trust between you and your dog and get them ready for the field. Dead Bird Addison’s Bumper Pick: Orange This is the first step I taught my current dog, Chevy – I’ve always called it “dead bird.” Sprinkle some dog food or treats in an area