Anyone who sets out to train a retriever needs certain specialized tools. I asked professional trainer Sharon Potter of Red Branch Kennels in central Wisconsin to share her thoughts on what the well-equipped retriever trainer should have on hand.
The first item on her list is a flat collar of waterproof construction (i.e., not leather). She prefers a collar with a D ring for attaching a lead, noting that an O ring can sometimes flip under the pressure of a lead and result in the collar being pulled over the dog’s head. And she’s adamant that this collar should be the kind that secures with a traditional metal buckle, not a plastic quick-release clip.
For basic obedience and yard work, Potter likes a six-foot lead made of braided polypropylene or another synthetic material (something that floats) with a standard bolt snap. For field training, a 20-foot lead made to the same specifications is her choice (a lot of us would call this a check cord) with the caveat that there not be a loop or knot at the free end. “I don’t want anything on that lead that can potentially catch on brush or other obstructions,” she explains. “I just burn the end to keep it from fraying.”
Bumpers are another foundational part of the tool kit. Potter likes to start puppies with a fuzzy paint roller before graduating to appropriately sized plastic bumpers. White is the best color for all-around use, as it’s easier for dogs to see on the water. One thing to be aware of, she notes, is that some plastic bumpers can become rock-hard and actually crack in extremely cold weather, so you may need to experiment to find a model that maintains its “give” in the conditions in which you train. On the other hand, Potter says that the relative softness of canvas dummies can sometimes lead to dogs chomping down on them and developing a hard mouth.
Potter uses DeadFowl trainers as well. They’re valuable for teaching dogs to hold birds properly (the consequence of an improper hold is repeated whacks to the face from the DeadFowl’s free-swinging head). She says handheld dummy launchers and remote-control wingers are also terrific tools, but that you can train a retriever without them, especially if your goal is simply to have a solid hunting companion.
A reliable, high-quality e-collar is another valuable tool. “This is not the place to try to economize,” Potter says. “You should do your homework and buy the best unit you can afford. Keep in mind, too, that the advertised range is based on ideal conditions, not actual hunting conditions, which are likely to reduce the effective range considerably.”
In addition to the typical e-collar features—momentary and continuous stimulation and a full range of intensity levels—Potter wants a transmitter that can be operated comfortably with one hand without having to look at it. You should be able to feel definite clicks when you’re adjusting stimulus levels.
A good whistle, of course, is a necessity. Potter’s choice is the Dallesasse Field Trialer, which generates plenty of volume and has a “trumpet” opening that directs the sound away from your ears and toward your dog’s. No matter which whistle you choose, Potter offers this bit of advice: “Practice blowing the darn thing,” she says. “You’d be amazed at how many people can’t blow a dog whistle.”
A blank pistol is ideal for introducing a young dog to gunfire but it’s not absolutely necessary. You can accomplish the same thing with a shotgun, preferably paired with “popper” loads or light field loads, as long as you exercise good judgment and don’t rush the process.
The last item Potter puts on her must-have list is some kind of object for teaching the “place” command. “You can buy a commercially produced place board, make one yourself, or use a rubber mat with holes in it, which is what I use more often than not,” she notes. “You can even use a piece of carpet. You just need a target for teaching the command.”
