If you are considering training your dog to become a hunting companion, you’ve landed in the perfect spot.
Training your dog with a dummy launcher is a challenging task that requires your canine to be extremely responsive to your commands. Prior to beginning with the actual procedure, your dog must have proficiency in obeying your instructions. Mastery of fundamental gun dog training techniques, such as following heel command, understanding directional cues, and executing actions like drop, fetch and retrieve, is crucial. Only after these are accomplished should you introduce the dummy launcher to your dog.
Before delving into the detailed discussion of the entire ordeal, let’s first take a closer look at dummy launchers.
What is a Dummy Launcher?
A dummy launcher is a gadget that launches a gun dog training dummy toy a certain distance, as its name implies. This can be explained as a basic arrangement that instructs your dog to respond to all gun training commands without using a real animal.
They are essentially devices in the shape of a cylinder, featuring an open end and a spring with strong tensile strength attached to the other end. The dummy is placed into the opening, and the launcher is then aimed upward to achieve optimal projection. When the spring is pulled, the dummy is propelled in the desired direction, thereby encouraging the dog to interact with it by fetching and bringing it back to the owner.
A wide range of dummy launchers are available in diverse shapes and sizes, which makes them suitable for various situations. For instance, there are launchers that can propel dummies for a short distance of a few feet, whereas you can also come across ones that work well for compact areas such as front yards or dog parks.
Primarily, dummy launchers are employed for their ability to project dummies across long distances. This feature sets them apart from throwing manually, as the launchers can be easily adjusted to propel the dummy to different ranges, making them an ideal tool for training gun dogs. The use of dummy launchers frees up the trainer/handler to concentrate on the dog instead of the toy, allowing them to have better control over the training process.
These launchers provide adequate room for the dog to develop and become a disciplined gun dog. It is an essential quality that every dog that is involved in such activities should possess. Without it, the chances of failure in the actual field are high. The training as a whole ensures that the dog comprehends the value of patience and has a strong focus, irrespective of any distractions present.
In the end, using dummy launchers is less messy as they allow for repeated use of the same toy without involving small birds or quails, thereby avoiding the mess of blood.
How to use a Dummy Launcher for Gun Dog Training?
As we previously mentioned, it is essential to ensure that your dog has mastered all basic training manners before starting gun dog training. This involves essential commands such as ‘Sit’, ‘Stay’, and ‘Heel’. If these are not in place, your dog may be too easily diverted and unable to respond to your instructions, resulting in the failure of the entire training process.
We will be discussing every facet of dummy launcher training, including the necessary steps before and after.
Before:
Acquiring proficiency in the introductory stages.
It is crucial to ensure that your dog has fully learned all verbal cues before commencing gun dog training. This involves mastering activities such as heeling, correct positioning and slip-lead usage, maintaining eye contact, unwavering concentration, seeking, flushing, and retrieving. The use of dummy launchers should only be introduced once your dog is consistently responsive and obedient to your commands.
Locate the suitable launcher.
Afterward, it is imperative to search for the ideal dummy launcher that suits your dog. You must sift through a vast array of options, taking into consideration their breed, age, and physical dimensions.
Similarly, when it comes to the movement of objects they are using, the aforementioned applies. For instance, if the goal is to train a Dachshund to be a hunting dog, it’s advisable to use a dummy launcher that tosses or launches the dummy onto the ground. This will prevent the puppy from straining their neck by looking upwards for extended periods of time and will allow for a more comfortable learning experience.
During:
Command the puppy to walk obediently beside you.
It’s important to keep in mind that the initial step towards grooming your dog into a proficient gun dog is to capture their focus. Your furry companion ought to stay composed beside you, anticipating your next signal (often ‘Fetch’), before dashing towards the spot where the dummy was launched.
Ensure that the dummy launcher is not facing anyone and has been placed in a manner that prevents contact with anyone’s body. Due to the high velocity at which the dummy is launched, it has the potential to cause serious harm or even fracture bones if it makes contact. Hence, it is essential to take appropriate safety precautions for both the dog and anyone nearby.
Place the mannequin in position.
For the second step, insert the dummy completely into the open end of the dummy launcher to ensure a smooth throw. If any threads are left suspended, the toy may become stuck during projection. After insertion, pull the spring located at the opposite end of the device while holding it upwards to prevent accidental collision.
To ensure the dummy is propelled a great distance, you may need to either fully pull back the spring or give it a quick tug, depending on the device’s specifications and the available training area. This will result in the coiled spring rebounding with a strong torque and returning to its original position.
It is important to thoroughly review the specifications of the device to avoid any differences in functionality. A detailed examination can simplify the process.
After:
Instruct the dog to retrieve/search.
After setting the dummy in motion, instruct your dog to ‘Fetch/Seek’ it. Your dog should quickly react and chase after the toy. Depending on the direction you threw the toy, your pooch will have to search for it.
Launching dummies in regions that have bushes and shrubs usually results in a more delightful experience as opposed to firing them in open areas. This approach necessitates the dog to engage its senses and utilize its sense of smell, which results in greater mental and physical stimulation.
‘Bring it’ is what follows.
Ultimately, the procedure will conclude with a prompt to “Bring it” and then to “Drop”. A competent hunting dog is not solely proficient in retrieving but also in returning the prey to the person who has control over them, without inflicting any harm.
To train a dog to fetch real game, it is essential to have a high level of concentration and endurance. If your dog obeys all your instructions while using a dummy launcher, you can progress to using real game for training.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Dog training can be divided into two main areas. The first is skills training, which involves teaching your dog basic behaviors such as sitting, staying, and lying down, and is typically handled by a dog trainer. The second area is behavior modification, which addresses issues like anxiety, aggression, and fearfulness, and requires the services of a dog behavioral consultant such as Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
Begin your training with the more complex part, which is behavior training, if you require both behavior and skill training. Although a dog trainer may assist your pooch in learning how to sit, a dog behavior consultant will possess more knowledge in helping your dog with separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
Fratt explains that not all dogs will enjoy going to the dog park, just like not every human will develop a liking for attending raves.
The Dog Door Behavior Center is owned by Kim Brophey, who is an applied ethologist and a mediator for family dogs. She authored “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior.” Brophey employs the L.E.G.S framework (learning, environment, genetics, self) to elucidate dog behavior. In the event that your guests are being barked at by your dog, for instance.
Brophey suggests that this breed of dog was deliberately chosen for many years to protect against intruders entering through the front door. As a German shepherd’s natural instinct to safeguard its area cannot be trained out, you may have to alter your anticipations.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are several choices available for training methods, which include group classes, one-on-one sessions, board and train facilities, day training, and self-led training. Group classes provide lower costs but less individual attention. Fratt warns that board and train facilities can be pricier and more hazardous.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
Your decision will be influenced by your budget and the objectives you have for your training. If your canine exhibits aggressive behavior towards other dogs within your premises, it is unlikely that training them outside of your home will be effective.
It’s important to understand that training your dog requires your participation, but it doesn’t have to be time-consuming. According to Fratt, dedicating approximately five minutes to training each day suffices. In addition, many assignments assigned by trainers can be enjoyable and seamlessly integrated into your daily routine.
These free or inexpensive resources available online are recommended by our experts as alternatives to expensive dog training sessions for those who wish to save money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has gathered some resources that are available at no cost. Fratt, on the other hand, presents a series called Free Training Tuesday Lessons.
Understand the methodologies.
The field of dog training lacks regulation, which implies that individuals with a website, Instagram page, or storefront can assert themselves as dog trainers. Consequently, there is no authoritative guide that specifies which approaches to use in dog training. As a result, there is a great deal of variance in the opinions of trainers. Nevertheless, most trainers can be categorized into two general groups.
One type of trainer that follows a positive reinforcement approach, such as Fratt, focuses on rewarding good behavior with something pleasant, like a treat, so that the dog is more likely to repeat that behavior. As an example, positive reinforcement can also be used to help the dog associate something that intimidates them with a positive experience.
Another example of a balanced trainer is Brianna Dick, who employs positive reinforcement but is also open to using correctional tools such as e-collars in her training.
According to Dick, e-collar training requires your dog to wear a collar controlled by a remote that administers a correction through a stimulus to the neck, which could be a sound, shock or even a citronella spray. The use of e-collars, particularly those that give a shock, is a topic of controversy within the dog training community.
According to Dick, one should exercise caution with trainers who utilize e-collars excessively on every dog. She believes that such an approach is too generic and unlikely to produce satisfactory outcomes. Rather, one should look for a trainer who takes the time to understand their clients, their relationship with their dog, and their daily routine.
Find a good trainer.
To begin your search for reliable positive reinforcement trainers or balanced trainers in your locality, it is recommended to consult the comprehensive lists created by different professional organizations. Several such associations exist, such as:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Proceed to conduct interviews. Contact past clients. Determine which trainer puts you at ease. Verify their ability to elucidate their training techniques.
