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With most—but not all—waterfowl seasons well in the rearview mirror, it’s time to start looking ahead and making preparations for next season. If you’ve got a young dog, or a puppy, that means it’s time to get training. Older dogs can benefit from training brush-ups, too. And if you don’t have a pup to work with in the field and have the time and resources, get one. There’s nothing like watching your dog fetch a bird you shot.
Getting to that point, of course, requires a lot of effort, especially if you plan to do the training yourself, which I recommend. By training a waterfowl dog personally, you develop a closer bond with your dog, and you can also develop consistency with it, which doesn’t always happen after a dog comes back from boarding training. To train a confident and successful bird dog, here are my picks for the best duck dog training equipment.
Best Place Board: Cato Platform
Cato Platform
The foundation of any waterfowl training program is place training—teaching your dog to stay on a designated platform. Being able to do this allows you to progress to everything from force fetch to steadiness work in the field. It’s not difficult to build a place board yourself, but if you want to purchase a premade one, Cato Boards are the gold standard. They’re sturdy, durable, and made with grippy rubber or turf that’s comfortable for a dog’s feet.
Best Training Supplement: Pack Provisions Energy
Pack Provisions Energy
Training sessions can take a toll on your dog, leaving them unfocused and unwilling to listen. To counteract this, Field & Stream Pack Provisions made an energy supplement designed to help your dog perform at their best, whether training or in the field. Despite its name, it’s far from a 5 Hour Energy for your dog. Instead, it works by managing their metabolism through carbohydrates that support sustained energy. The added endurance lets you train or hunt longer, knowing your dog will stay focused for the job ahead.
Best Bumper: GUNNER Dog Bumper
Gunner Dog Bumper
For a good all-around bumper, I like to go with the GUNNER Dog Bumper for a couple of reasons. These are lightweight, buoyant, and easy for a dog to see and hold. The tapered body encourages the dog to pick it up properly, and I especially like the inner cavity, which allows you to put a couple of feathers inside to incorporate scent—which made retrieving instantly more exciting for my griff. For added realism, later in the training process, you can consider incorporating Dokkens into your retrieving drills.
Best Training Collar: SportDOG WetlandHunter 425X
SportDOG WetlandHunter 425X
For most dog trainers today, e-collars are a must—and for good reason. They give you the ability to provide instant feedback to your dog from a distance. I’ve tested out a variety of e-collars over the years, but my go-to is the SportDOG WetlandHunter 425X. It’s a simple e-collar without GPS capabilities—which you don’t typically need for a waterfowl dog, unless it is prone to running away. It comes in camo, has a 500-yard range, and is waterproof and submersible up to 25 feet. I did have some issues with the battery on mine but was pleasantly surprised by how helpful customer support was in getting that resolved.
Best Quick-Release Training System: GDO Quick-Release Safety
GDO Quick-Release Safety
In an ideal world, you can focus on steadying your dog with a lead and/or e-collar while other people do the launching and shooting parts of training. But that’s not always possible—and you might need to train or hunt on your own. For those scenarios, the GDO Quick-Release Safety System allows you to tether your dog and quickly release it for a retrieve. The best way to use this is to wait until your dog sits or whoas properly for several seconds without pulling on the tether before sending it. In short order, you’ll be able to train and hunt without it.
Best Launcher: Zinger Winger II Field Trialer
Zinger Winger II Field Trialer
For launching large Dokkens and/or dead ducks, the go-to option is the Zinger Winger II Field Trialer, a freestanding device that’s easy to set up and remove, and can launch dead birds and dummies between 75 and 100 feet. You can also use it to release live fliers. You can pair it with a remote release system or ask a buddy to manually release it, which is a more reliable option. Overall, these are great for practicing high marks and steadiness. These are pricey, but waterfowl dog training clubs usually keep a couple on hand for their members to use.
Best Dog Food for Training: Pack Provisions Dry Dog Food
Pack Provisions Dry Dog Food
Summer training sessions can be demanding on a dog’s physical needs. The best solution to counter the effects of repeated days of training starts at home with quality nutrition. Field & Stream Pack Provisions Dry Dog Food consists of premium ingredients like organ meat as well as pre- and postbiotics for healthy digestion. A properly balanced diet helps your dog perform at its best year-round and maintain a proper weight even when working hard. It’s currently available in beef, chicken, and trout flavors.
Best Dummy Launcher: D.T. Systems Super Pro Launcher and Dummy
D.T. Systems Super Pro Launcher
If you don’t have the time, space, or money for a Zinger Winger, you can accomplish a lot with a dummy-only launcher like the D.T. Systems Super Pro. This compact device allows you to launch a dummy by hand, paired with the simulated sound of gunfire using a .22 blank load. This is a great option for solo trainers who don’t have regular access to a remote system.
Best Training Buck: Diamond Training Buck
Wooden Diamond Training Buck
Almost all waterfowl dogs go through force fetch at some point in their training regimen, which means most waterfowl dog trainers need a good buck to use for the first portion of force fetch. A buck is a simple, wooden object that encourages a retriever to pick it up in the middle. You can certainly make one yourself, but the Diamond Training Buck is an affordable premade option that works fine.
Best Blank Shells: Kent ProTrial Field 12-Ga. 2 1/2″ Blanks
Kent ProTrial Field 12-Ga. 2 1/2″ Blanks
For safety purposes, I always try to use blanks when training over water instead of live rounds; it’s one less thing to worry about. When using a shotgun instead of a starter pistol, I’ve found the Kent ProTrial Field Blanks to be loud and reliable. Be warned: blanks will not automatically cycle in an inertia gun; you’ll need to do so yourself.
The Final Word on Waterfowl Dog Training Gear
Good waterfowl training gear is key to getting your gun dog ready for the season, but it only works if you pair it with time and consistency. By doing so, you’ll have an effective waterfowl dog in no time.