It often surprises us when we see well trained bird dogs in action. Obeying the commands of their owners, bird dogs do their work in an exemplary manner. We often wonder how bird dog training can produce such results, getting the dogs to be so cooperative without the use of shock collars. 

If you put a lot of work in it, it can be done.

There are a number of dog breeds that are well suited for becoming great bird dogs. A good start would be teaching them to obey your commands. Before dogs can understand what people are telling them, they need to learn the language first. In this basic variant of training, dogs need to understand the three main commands: “come!”, “whoa!” and “heel!”. These commands need to be mastered by the owner as well.

The “Whoa!” Command

The “whoa!” command is the first thing bird dogs need to learn. By learning this, they can understand when they’re being told to stop, without moving again unless he’s being ordered to do it. Obeying this command shows that the dog respects his master and that he is obedient. If you want to test whether a dog is completely obedient, you should try giving the “whoa!” order at larger distances. This way you’re sure that he will listen to you even when the command is not enforced by the immediate presence of the master.

You can also use the “whoa!” command to control dogs that get out of hand, trying to flush a bird on their own or play with it. If their master wants the dog to stop what he’s doing, he can use this command to make him stop. Ideally, the command and the obedience should be rewarded by the master.

The “Come!” Command

The purpose of the “come!” command is to make the dog come to the owner when they hear it. It’s quite easy to use this command. In the case of a bird dog, it’s much easier to make him come to you with the thing he retrieved, if he understands this command. A lot of dogs are more independent and go do their own thing. Using the “come!” command you can keep him at a good distance from you.

The “Heel!” Command

When you want to make sure that your dog will walk by your side, and not wander away, the “heel!” command can be used to get this effect. You can teach him an additional command, like “go” or “okay” to let him know that he is released, and can return to hunting with you.

Whenever the dog performed well, never fail to give him a tap, a treat or a praise to acknowledge his performance. Fine dogs are born with the instinct to please their owners. If you can let your dog see that he is pleasing you with his performance and you want him to repeat it, the best thing you can do is to reward him. Overtime, he will learn to repeat the same desirable action so long as you allow him to.

Each time the dog does what you ask of him, make sure you reward him either with a treat, a tap or a praise, to let him know that he did well. The best dogs are those that have an instinct when it comes to pleasing their masters. You should let the dog know that you are pleased with what he’s doing, and that he should do the same in the future. The best way you can let him know is by rewarding him.

Doing bird dog training is quite hard. If it was easy, you would see a lot more bird dogs around. Still, if you want to make a good bird hunter out of your dog, make sure you invest the patience and the time needed to teach him the three commands that stand at the basis of bird dog training.  The use of a electronic dog collar can help if used properly and with care.  I prefer the DT Systems brand of collars.

by Sam Nichols

Dog collars come in a variety of materials, colors, styles and even functions. There’s the obedience or choke collar, bark collars, dog training collars,  flea collars, and a whole array of just good old plain pooch collars. So which one do you choose? If you are taking your pooch to a special event or to a special gathering and you want them to look really good try getting a fancy dog collar and leash. For small dogs a simple flat collar will suffice. For larger dogs you might try a prong collar a wide leather band.

The dog collar market is swamped with conventional as well as more unusual types of dog collars. These serve a variety of functions and needs. As a pet lover and canine owner, you should know that different kinds of dogs need different types of collars.

What Type Of Dog Collar Are There?

Buckle Collars are pretty much just what they sound like, collars that are fastened with a buckle. They are typically made of leather or nylon and they are either flat or rolled. Buckle collars are usually adjustable and do not tighten on your pet’s neck once fastened. Using a rolled leather collar avoids the chafing or hair breaking that can occur using flat collars.

Quick Release collars are fundamentally flat nylon buckle collars with a plastic closure. This clip is similar to some luggage strap fasteners and makes getting the collar on and off a little easier.

Choke chains are metal chain links of various sizes with a ring on each. These collars should only be used while actively training or exercising your canine. This type of collar is usually sold by length, so ask for assistance when buying a slip collar.

Head collars go over your pets head but they are not a muzzle. While wearing a head collar, your a hound can still pant, bark, drink and eat, even bite! They should only be used for training.

If you have a very tight lead on a dog, the strap around the muzzle will push into its eyes, and that is as bad as a Halti which pushes into the eyes anyway. While some trainers will use flat buckle type collars, especially on puppies, these collars do not always provide the most useful control for more unruly dogs. For a very aggressive dog, the pinch collar can actually make the animal worse.

What Do I Need To Know About Dog Collars?

You need to ensure that your best friends collar fits well. Badly fitted collars and their incorrect usage may be harmful to your pet and in the worst case it can prove to be fatal. A properly fitted collar has at least a two finger width space between the collar and the neck of the dog but it should not slip over his ears.

If you don’t like the sound of clinking dog tags or if you worry that the metal tags will discolor your pet’s fur, then you can use a special tag pouch, available at most pet stores.

For hunting dogs certain pet tracking systems allow the dog handler or owner to determine what your dog is doing by using certain behavior systems that form part of the collar. You will be able to tell if a pet has stopped, is still moving, if a hound is barking, or if he has treed an animal. Pet tracking collars are used when you are out hunting with your dog. They can be used by houndsmen, upland bird hunters, beaglers, coon hunters, field trial (bird dogs) and hog hunting.  Their are also dog training collars made by Tri-tronics, SportDOG, Innotek and Dogtra that offer the dog a electronic correction from a remote transmitter that aid in training a dog off lead. 

Finally pick a dog collar that suits your dogs personality and size. A giant black leather collar with studs may not suit a toy poodle, or a pink ribbon style collar a British Bulldog. After all it is part of your pet’s image so pick the correct one!

by Stephen Dolan

Fishing rod holders take the inconvenience out of fishing for a variety of reasons. For one, it is a convenient storage device especially when one is in a kayak. Rather than holding the paddle in between the legs while fishing, a fishing rod holder stores the rod in place therefore enabling anyone to carry multiple rods or (if one insists so) carry multiple paddles. It also makes trolling easy as a holder keeps the fishing rod in place as one travels to a number of fishing spots. Also, when unhooking a caught fish, rod holders keep the rod secure. More importantly, they help one catch more fish at the same time enabling a kayak look versatile and extremely well-designed.

Here are some tips that could prove helpful in order to determine the types of saltwater fishing rods one should purchase.

To attach or to not attach

There are basically two types of fishing rod holders, one that could be attached to the exterior of the kayak and one that is put in the flush. Both have different functions and both work well accordingly. The choice all depends on what one prefers to use and how.

To those who prefer the unattached

The unattached type of fishing rod holder comes in two forms, the straight and the angled. Most kayaks use the angled form. When this type is used, one has a good chance of being able to stroll because the rods veer away from the kayak.

To those who prefer the attached

If the straight type is used, one is able to keep the fishing rod in the middle of the kayak and therefore works best in keeping the rod in storage. This straight type of fishing rod holder is good for the Tower and Cobra Navigator model of a kayak.

The home-made fishing rod holder

One could just as make his or her very own personalized fishing rod holder using common PVC. Or one could also start out by getting a milk crate and attaching it to a kayak with the use of straps.

The alternative type of fishing rod

There is another type of fishing rod holder that could be placed just above the kayak. These are usually tubes that are called RAM as well as Titelock. As the latter’s name implies, it locks the rod in place and usually consists of a male and a female part. This part difference allows the two to be separated.

Today there are a number of manufacturer on the market making quality rods including shimano fishing rods, daiwa fishing rods and penn fishing rods.

by Nicky Pilkington

The Akita, or Akita Inu hails from the Akita region of Japan where they breed has been revered for centuries. Throughout history they’ve been used as flood dogs, fighting dogs and for hunting deer and bear but today many people keep them as loving companions. Introduced to the United States in 1937 by Helen Keller the Akita Inu became even more popular after World War II when many American servicemen brought them back.

A member of the American Kennel Club working group, the Akita Inu was admitted to the AKC in 1972. It is a spitz type dog with the car and a triangular shaped head who weighs in at between 75 and 120 pounds. This dog has a powerful strong build with a deep, broad chest and level back. His ears stand erect on his head and he has dark brown eyes and a black or brown nose. The tail is carried high over the back. The Akita is a great swimmer due to his webbed feet. This dog has a double coat made up of a thick insulated undercoat and a waterproof outer coat and comes in white, red, sesame or brindle.

The Akita Inu is very affectionate with his family and while docile and home, can be aggressive towards other animals when he is outdoors being taken for walk. He is intelligent and fearless – a dog faithful to his family that craves companionship. This dog can be willful, however, so training will require patience as well as diversity since he can also become bored easily.

Like many purebred dogs the Akita does have some health issues that he is prone to. Hypothyroid and autoimmune thyroiditis can come up in this breed as can hip dysphasia. They can also suffer from terrible skin problems in immune diseases such as VKH. They can also have problems with their knees and our eyes.

Although they are a large dog, the Akita Inu can adapt well to apartment life as long as he gets sufficient exercise. In fact, a moderate amount of exercise is all this dog needs to keep in shape than happy.

This dog does not have any excessive grooming considerations, however the thick coat does shed heavily twice a year. They should be brushed with a firm bristle brush as often as needed and, of course, daily when shedding. Do not bathe your Akita unless it is necessary as giving him a bath will cause the natural waterproofing on their coat to be disrupted.

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/is-an-akita-inu-the-right-dog-for-you-91865.html

For all lovers of the outdoors, paintings and prints abound that record the glories of nature. For the most part, however, they come across as but faint shadows of the real thing, flat and two dimensional. This is one reason tapestries featuring outdoor scenes are so popular.

The three dimensional effect tapestries bring to themes like woodland groves or stormy seas adds an inestimable amount of interest to the subject matter. There are many sizes and styles of tapestry, but ones that feature the outdoors are favorites everywhere. The natural colors blend with almost any décor, and they are appropriate for any room in the house.

Woodland and Wildlife Themes

Depictions of shady clearings and sunlight shafting through trees are a common sight in many tapestry shops. The peacefulness is tinged with excitement when you spot the doe and fawn almost hidden at the edge of the tree line. Other portrayals have a stag standing front and center, in full antlered glory.

Lions tigers and elephants and even camels are beautifully rendered to bring a touch of the safari right into your living area. Tame parrots and macaws can be depicted in excruciating detail, so realistic you half expect them to jump off the wall and start flying around the room.

Simple fields of wildflowers or hidden mountain springs with waterfalls are also subjects of interest, creating a calming feeling. These are lovely when placed in bedrooms and studies to provide a restful atmosphere. Garden scenes have almost an Impressionist feel when transferred to tapestry.

Other tapestries show realistic versions of farmhouses and covered bridges, trails winding across prairies and pastured livestock. Horses hang their heads over the corral fence; chickens peck in the grass. Any of these tapestries can be hung to provide a type of picture window; a view into another world.

Hunters and Hills, Sailors and Seas

Hunting scenes are wildly popular, featuring every aspect of the hunt from the gathering before hand to the actual chase to the capture. Hounds and horsemen, stag, fox or hare are depicted in fluid motion. These tapestries are favored for dens and family rooms, providing some action and heat on cool fall evenings.

Nautical themes are popular as well. Historical tapestries show events such as pitched battles fought on the high seas and panoramic views of harbors and merchant ships. Gondolas in Venice pull back away from the bustle and bring a quiet laziness to the viewer’s mind.

Animals and Wildlife

The lions, peacocks and woodpeckers shown in Pre-Raphaelite artist’s works are less lifelike but just as powerfully rendered. Mythical beasts such as dragons and unicorns abound, and interact with humans in conflict or friendship. These historical pieces are great for display in larger rooms of the house.

The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are legendary, as are several different portrayals of Saint George vanquishing the Dragon. Pastoral scenes of carthorses and swine yield glimpses into the bucolic country life if centuries ago, and the backgrounds are soothing.

Chinese tapestries with their stylized horses and intricate bird patterns offer an exotic touch. The colors used to detail the kimonos and trappings of the steeds are incredibly intense. Again, skirmishes are common themes of tapestries. Dragons figure prominently in Asian lore as well, and can be portrayed in many different way.

Smaller tapestries often focus on domesticated animals, such as dogs and horses. These tapestries can be incorporated into handbags or throw pillows. Royalty used to demand to be painted with their favorite hound or lapdog, and the trend continues to this day with owners seeking out handbags featuring their favorite breed.

Flora and Fauna

Some tapestries, such as ones from India, have a bold style when it comes to flowers or fruit. If you like plump and rounded brightly colored fruit these tapestries are cheery and enjoyable. Other styles are more lifelike, drawing from the reality of nature, and some seem almost inspired.

Chenille tapestries often show flowers that look intensely real. Butterflies, too are featured and appear to be meticulously accurate down to the tiniest detail. Chenille tapestries are extremely soft, woven with a special yarn that leaves a fuzzy effect.

Still other tapestries show the outdoors in the grip of different seasons – spring flowers, summer wheat, autumn leaves and winter sceneries blanketed with snow. All of these seem somehow more alive and real in the tactile form of tapestry.

If you want the inside of your home to remind you of the outside, you can’t go wrong with tapestries. They will bring the wilderness straight into your living room, with a rich beauty and style that your family and friends will admire.

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Angela Dawson-Field
http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/tapestries-bringing-the-outdoors-in-719242.html

In Kansas, crappie fishing really takes off in the spring. In fact, the Kansas reservoirs are some of the bet locations in the Midwest to catch some big slabs. Though some of these manmade lakes lack any stock of crappie worth discussing, several actually yield large quantities of the sunfish. In fact, only three reservoirs – Cedar Bluff, Glen Elder, and Cheney – are ranked as poor reservoirs for Kansas crappie fishing by biologists.

In southeast Kansas, you’ll find the 2,500-acre Fall River impoundment, where, though the area is known as a bass hole, you’ll find an excellent crappie population. It is common to find crappie in the reservoir that are at least 10 inches long, with several actually exceeding 12 inches. In fact, you shouldn’t be surprised to catch a crappie here that weighs over 2 pounds. If you are dead set on a big specimen, it’s at its best for you at Fall River.

However, there are several other reservoirs with greater density of crappie for your fishing pleasure. La Cygne, for example, is a power plant cooling lake, meaning that the waters are kept warm year round, especially near the hot water outlet at the south side. This means the growth season in La Cygne continues all year round, making the stock of game fish consistently high. Kansas crappie fishing is quite popular here due to the large size of the fish that can be caught, even if there are areas with a higher density.

Some of the other large reservoirs most renowned for crappie fishing include Toronto, Melvern, and Coffee County Lake, as well as Council Grove Reservoir, the last of which may prove to yield smaller fish but has a sheer density level worth checking out. You can also benefit from visits to other large impoundments such as Perry, Pomona, Lovewell, and Kanopolis. In fact, several of these areas considered ideal for KS crappie fishing have been noted year after year for decades as some of the best lakes for crappie in the Great Plains. Although Clinton and Kirwin don’t produce large quantities of crappie, they are excellent locations to find good sized true lunker crappie.

What many people don’t realize is that some of the best fishing in Kansas can be found in much smaller lakes and reservoirs. For example, Ottawa State Fishing Lake and Sedan City Lake, both quite small, have yielded crappie weighing over 2 pounds, the Bourbon SFL, under 100 acres in size, has samplings weighing close to the same. In fact, most of the small locations contain great numbers of white crappie.

Daniel Eggertsen
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/kansas-crappie-fishing-tips-101011.html

Fly Fishing Tips & Techniques for Stillwater Float Tubing Highly recommended for Fly Fisherman of all levels! Explore the eccentricities of still water Fly Fishing from lowland ponds to high mountain lakes with experts Jay Allman and John Gierach. This program covers the basics of fish behavior, fly selection, equipment, habitat, bait selection, feeding patterns, trout behavior plus many tips and techniques of fly patterns for both warm and cold water habitats. 45 min.

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Hunting with a pellet gun Try the best hunting pellet on the market. The instant expansion of these pellets ensures quick kills. Hard, polymer ballistic tips cut the air cleanly for exceptional accuracy. These Pellets are not recommended for use in air guns that have a rotary type magazine. Comes in a tin of 200. Available: 22 cal. 15.9grain, .177 cal. 8grain.

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I would just like any tips you guys could give me for black bear hunting since this will be my first time hunting bear.

Any tips would be appreciated .

thank you

Been bear hunting my whole life they are my favorite hunt. Hounds and bait work best otherwise glass south facing slopes early in the morning they look like burnt stumps at first so look close. Be carefull not to shoot a sow with cubs even if it is leagle (probably not) it is immoral. Don’t rush your shot bears have poor vision but good noses so wait and harvest humanly. Good luck and the thing you should be most carefull of is becoming addicted and going back year after year. They are very good table fare as well. Salami pepperoni and sausage are best however the backstrap of a well fed baited bear is very nice also…..Now I have to defrost some sausage 4 breakfast tomorow.