General Tips:

1. Start early! While old dogs can be taught new tricks, what's learned earliest is often learned the quickest and the easiest. As well, the older the dog, the more bad habits will likely need to be "un-learned". When it comes to raising and training your dog, an ounce of problem prevention is certainly well worth a pound down the road.

2. Train your dog gently and humanely. Keep obedience sessions upbeat and fun so that the training process is enjoyable for all involved.

3. Avoid giving your dog commands that you can't enforce. Every time you give a command that is neither complied with nor enforced your dog learns that commands are optional.

4. One command should equal one action. So, only give your dog one command (twice max), then gently reinforce it. Repeating commands gets your dog tuned to the idea that the sit command sounds like this. "sit, sit, sit, SIT".

5. Avoiding giving your dog combined commands which are incompatible. Combined commands such as "sit-down" can confuse your dog. An example, say either "sit" or "down". The command sit-down does not exist. One word commands are best for your dog and are easiest for him to understand.

6. When giving a command, avoid raising your voice. Even during the times when your nerves are on edge. use a calm but authoritative voice, rather than a hard loud one.

7. Whenever possible, use your dogs name positively, rather than in conjunction to reprimands, warnings or punishments.

8. When training your dog, whether giving a correction or rewarding. good timing is essential.

9. Keep a lid on your anger. Never train your dog when you're feeling grouchy or impatient. Earning your dogs respect is not accomplished by yelling, hitting or handling your dog in a harsh manner.

10.  Start simple with training tools!  Try the less expensive method first... such as a squirt bottle filled with 90% plain tap water and 10% vinegar.  The vinegar has a smell that dogs do not enjoy, when the dog does an undesirable behavior, squirt them.  This method works well with most breeds, however we've seen many labs lick the end of the bottle!  However, it is worth a try before moving on to other tools.

More Tips:

1. When your pup is teething and chewing on everything in sight, give him a chew toy filled with peanut butter and dry dog food. It will keep him busy for hours.

2. Teach your dog to drink from a backpacker's squirt bottle. It will then be easy to cool him down on hot early-season hunting trips.

3. Get a list of local veterinarians' phone numbers before you visit a new hunting area. That way you'll always be ready for an emergency.

4. When using an electronic collar on your dog the first time, always use the lowest level necessary to get the response you want.

5. If you are going to train with an electronic collar, first have your dog wear an inactive collar during training sessions for a couple of weeks. This gets him used
to the routine.

 6. Learn from the pros: Seminars by reputable dog trainers give you hands-on experience that you just can't find in a book.

 7. Watch every good training video you can get your hands on. If you get one or two good tips from each one, you'll be a better trainer.

 8. If you have trouble with a dog that just won't quit barking, consider an electronic bark-control collar. It is  a safe, effective solution to one of a dog owner's biggest problem.

 9. Current I.D. tags and a good beeper collar are cheap insurance against losing your dog

10. A pre-season trip to a hunting preserve is a great warm-up for your dog (and it's good for your shooting skills, too)

Tips for Remote Collar Conditioning:

Choosing the Right Dog

There's one problem with adopting a dog from an animal shelter: The selection of available canine companions can overwhelm you! Man's best friends come in all shapes, sizes, and, of course, personalities.

The good news is that almost any shelter dog can make a wonderful, lifelong companion for you and your family. The bad news is that some of those bundles of energy will make less appropriate pets for you than others.

The key is simply knowing what to look for. Here are a few things to think about:

Examine Yourself

Choosing the right dog generally means identifying the type of animal that matches your lifestyle and wants. If you live alone in a small, third-floor apartment, for instance, adopting a large, active retriever mix might not be the best choice. Conversely, if you have a family of four and are looking for a companion to match your active lifestyle, such an animal may be perfect. A dog's size, exercise requirements, friendliness, assertiveness, and compatibility with children should all figure into your decision.

Learn about Different Breeds and Mixes 

So how do you find out which dogs have the qualities you're looking for? Information is the key: Learn about various breeds, visit with animals at    the shelter, and speak with an adoption counselor for guidance.

Dogs fall into one of two categories: purebreds or mixed breeds. Most animal shelters have plenty of both. The only significant difference between the two is that purebreds, because their parents and other ancestors are all members of the same breed, are similar to a specific "breed standard." This means that if you adopt a purebred puppy, you have a good chance of knowing about how big he'll get and what general physical and behavioral characteristics he'll have.

Of course, the size, appearance, and temperament of most mixed breed dogs can be predicted as well. After all, mixed breeds are simply combinations of different breeds. So if you know the ancestry of a particular mixed-breed puppy or can identify what type of dog he is (e.g., terrier mix), you have a good chance of knowing how he'll turn out, too.

Mixed breeds offer several advantages over purebreds. When you adopt a mixed breed, you benefit from the combined traits of two or more breeds. You also get a dog who's likely to be free of genetic defects common to certain purebred dogs. Mixed breeds, in fact, are often considered the more "natural" dog. When you adopt a mixed breed, you adopt a totally unique companion.

Visit with Shelter Animals

While you're at the shelter, keep in mind that it is a stressful place for any animal. Quite often, a dog's true colors won't show until he's away from other animals and the shelter environment. So even if you walk past a kennel with a dog who isn't vying for your attention, don't count him out. He may just be a little scared or lonely.

An adoption counselor can help you select canines who'll match your lifestyle. When you spend time with each animal, you'll want to ask yourself:

• How old is the dog? You may want to select a puppy as your new companion. However, young dogs usually require much more training and supervision than more mature dogs. If you lack the time or patience to house train your pup or to correct problems like chewing and jumping, an adult dog may be a better choice.

• How shy or assertive is the dog? Although an active, bouncy dog might catch your eye, a more quiet or reserved dog might be a better match if you don't have a particularly active lifestyle.

• How good is the animal with children? Learning about a dog's past through a history sheet or from an adoption counselor can be helpful, but past information isn't always available. In general, an active dog who likes to be touched and is not sensitive to handling and noise is a dog who'll probably thrive in a house full of kids. Also keep in mind that puppies under four months of age, because of their fragility and special needs, often won't be adopted out to families with young children.

Choose a Pal for Life

Every dog in the shelter can provide you with boundless love and companionship, and every dog certainly deserves a lifelong home. But some dogs are better for you and your lifestyle than others. That's why you should take the time to make a thoughtful choice. After all, you're choosing a pal who'll be with you 10, 15, or even more years. Select the right dog, and you and your new companion will enjoy those years to the fullest.