Whilst the shooting season may seem so far away, itās still great to be prepared ready as it creeps round the corner and catches up on us! This list of items below are also great to have for your days trainingā¦
Dog Box System - Starting the day off with loading your dog/s into the car. Travelling to training or shoot days, it is essential to have your dog safely locked away in a secure dog box. It also helps on your way home to keep the mud and soggy spaniel smell out of your car! We would highly recommend Endgrain CNC dog boxes and systems which was installed in our van and has never failed us. š
Water & Bowl - Your dogs work very hard during these days and it is vital to keep them hydrated throughout the day, especially during warmer temperatures. š§
Dog Drying Coats/ Cooling Vests - the weather is a constant battle for all dog owners (especially in Lancashire!) during the season from Grouse in August to the last days on Pheasants in January we tend to have seen every change in season. The importance of helping your dog regulate itās temperature in all weathers is often disregarded as they are ājust working dogsā and they ādonāt need a coatā. During the summer, dogs can very easily over-heat and dog cooling coats at the end of a hot training session may just save your dogās life! During the winter, dogs have burned lots of energy during a working day, and often wonāt have much energy left to keep themselves warm and dry - resulting in them burning muscle to keep warm and losing weight. A coat can also keep your food bill down, dogs can use up to 40% of their feed intake just regulate their temperature - by simply popping a drying coat on them you will help your dog maintain its weight and save your feeding bill! š
High Energy Snacks - there are lots of great āenergy boost barsā you can find online, or some even like to give a small meal in-between working. If my dogās have worked particularly hard I like to have good old-fashioned flapjack handy. Full of sugar for a quick burst of energy and carbohydrates for a slow release to continue throughout the day. š§
Whistle - we like to use the ACME 211.5 - a great tool with correct training before hand! š
Slip Leads - I like to have 1 slip lead for each dog in the van, you never know when you may need them. I know I wouldnāt like to be broken down on the side of the M6 practicing my sit-stays with every dog! š¶
Gloves - Fingerless gloves are my go-to on a cold day. They keep your hands warm whilst still giving you full use of your hands rather than bulkier type gloves. Sterile Nitrile gloves are also perfect for handling game and keep your hands warm, they are easily disposable too.š§¤
Game Bag/Vest - At Ribblebrook we prefer the use of a vest as it can be used all year round for both game & dummies and it evenly distributes the weight across your shoulders and back!š
Priest - it is always handy to carry a priest in your pocket, not everyone is the perfect shot and a good weighted priest will quickly and humanely despatch your quarry. š¦
Good Quality Stick - A thumb stick will help you along those muddy fields or uneven fells, acting as a third leg giving you extra balance. š¦Æ
Waterproof Clothing - Certainly a must-have all year round. A good set of waterproofs can determine whether you have a good day or a miserable one! š§„
Boots/Wellies - The same as waterproof clothing, boots or wellies can determine your day! A good choice of footwear will make your day much more comfortable. š„¾
Vets - knowing where your local vet is is highly important. In just the past year I have seen many incidents with Gundogs on shoot days/training & trialling where a dog has needed an emergency vet for various reasons, so would recommend you did your research before your day startsš©ŗ
Suitable Clothing - comfort is key, as you donāt want to be doing a long day in rigid, uncomfortable clothing. Some estates/shoots take a relaxed view on clothing and others would like to see a more traditional line-up. It is well worth speaking with the gamekeeper regarding dress code and choose accordingly. š
First Aid Kit - there are many brilliant ready-made First Aid Kits for your dogs online to choose from. Here, we like to make our own as we find some of them can just include very basic things. What we include in ours is; saline solution, dressings, vet wrap, tape, foil blanket, scissors, Dog skin stapler (ensure correct training before use), alcohol free wipes, disposable gloves, dog skin glue, electrolytes, antiseptic spray, tick remover and tweezers. š©¹
Poo Bags - your host is unlikely to appreciate your dog/s poop in the middle of the yard when you let them out to exercise or make your way to a drive, so have the courtesy to bag up and bin it!š©
Lastly, a Well Trained Dog - training your dog ready for a shoot day can be a long and difficult task. Each dog is ready at different times depending on how well they take to their training. If you are unsure whether your dog is ready for their first shoot day, contact your local Gundog Trainer for help and advice. š¦®
Be prepared as you never know what the day may bring or what the great British weather has in stall for us!
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