Pella Bird n Lite Upland Strap Vest Product Review

I didn’t know how comfortable, convenient, and versatile the Pella Bird n Lite Strap Vest was, until I bought one…and the patented Bird ‘n Lite Technology is without a doubt the best upland hunting clothing design available.

The Pella Bird n Lite Strap Vest is extremely comfortable because you can exactly fit each strap to your body size and style. I wear my Pella Bird n Lite Strap Vest almost year round.  It’s perfect for warm weather bird dog training or pheasant hunting over a shirt or sweatshirt.  The best feature of the Bird n Lite system is the internal harness and lumbar belt that balances and supports the load.  I’ve had 30 plus quail or 8 pheasants in the back and with a quick tug on the patented Bird n Lite weight distribution harness pull tabs I hardly knew I was carrying them.  You can snug up the lumbar belt and it really does a great job of supporting your lower back.

The convenience of the Bird n Lite strap vest is that everything is at your fingertips.  It has two front double compartment cargo pockets with large flaps and Velcro closures.  The main compartments have shell loops for ammo and fit medium sized items that you need frequently like training treats or a small digital camera to get those great shots of your bird dog on point.  The inner pockets are perfect for a cell phone, keys, license, and other small items that you don’t want to lose in the field.  There’s water bottle pockets on your left and right sides.  The game bag is reachable to side load birds or retrieving dummies and  bumpers, or a check cord and handler’s lead.  There’s a rucksack with two compartments for larger items like a gun dog first aid kit, pointing dog training supplies, or a hydration bladder.  There’s also D rings on the shoulder straps where I have a carabineer snapped to my e-collar remote on one side, and a bird launcher remote on the other.  You’re able to have all of your pointing dog training equipment and supplies with you and easily accessible.

The versatility of the Pella Bird n Lite Strap Vest is amazing. Whether I’m training bird dogs in the yard or out with my pointing dogs in the field, it’s a must have rig.  The strap vest comes in two sizes – Medium/Large, and  XL/2X.  Due to the adjustability of the straps, you can get the perfect fit.  The colors available are Khaki, Khaki and Orange , or Advantage Max-4 Camo.  Order yours today, and after you wear it a few times you’ll  wonder why you waited so long to get one….

Click HERE watch the demonstration video to see the patented Bird ‘n Lite weight shifting system in action.

Pointer Supply carries a full line of gun dog training supplies including electronic training collars by DT Systems, SportDog, and Tri-Tronics, GPS Dog Tracking Systems by Garmin, training dummies and dummy launchers by DT Systems, bird scents by Border Crossing and DT Systems, and many more bird dog training supplies as well as upland clothing and apparel by Pella Bird n Lite and Dan’s Upland Apparel to help you and your pup have more fun in the field.  To keep your pointing dog safe around the house see our pet containment systems by Sport Dog and Pet Safe.  We also offer professional bird dog training, as well as Guided Wild Iowa Pheasant Hunts.  Our goal at Pointer Supply is to be your first choice for pointing dog supplies, pointing dog training, upland hunting clothing, and guided wild pheasant hunting in Iowa.  Give us the chance to earn your business and we’ll show you what customer service is all about.

Please check out our other upland hunting product reviews as well as our free online dog training tips for you and your bird dog.

Thanks, and remember to involve kids in bird dog training, upland hunting, and the wonders of nature!

Dave Kruse – The Pointer Supply Guy

DT Systems H2O 1850 Plus Beeper Locator Electronic Dog Training Collar Product Review | Ecollar Review

I have been using the DT Systems H2O 1850 beeper training collars on my dogs for years.  The H2O 1850 is dependable, rugged, and easy to use. DT Systems recently upgraded the H2O 1850 series by integrating an Add-On capability so now it’s expandable to a two dog system.  You can buy the H20 1850 PLUS transmitter and training collar, and have the option to buy an additional collar later on controlling both collars from the one transmitter.  There is a toggle switch that easily flips from the black beeper training collar to the orange beeper training collar.

I can run the remote without taking my eyes off the dogs, even with gloves on.  Once you set the stimulation level, you just grab the remote and hit the button, and if you need to adjust the intensity, you can feel the roller switch click from one level to the next.  The stimulation options are 16 levels of Nick or Continuous, with a seven second fail safe.

The beeper functions work really well in all three modes, Run Point, Point Only, and Locate. In Run Point Mode the beeper goes off once every 10 seconds and repeatedly after the bird dog holds a three second point.  I use the Run Point Mode when my gun dog is in heavy cover and I need to keep tabs on his location as he hunts.  The Point Only mode is what I use most of the time, especially when I’m running multiple dogs.  In Point Only Mode the DT H2O 1850 PLUS beeper collar beeps repeatedly after my hunting dog locks on point for a full three seconds and holds point.  This feature has become very helpful while running younger dogs with older more experienced bird dogs.  Typically the more seasoned pointing dogs will find the birds first and lock on point, the beeper goes off and attracts the puppies in for a look, smell, and backing practice.  We then step in for the flush, shot, and retrieve.  The other scenario is when the birds are running and a dog goes on point, the other dogs in the field learn to work together to help pin running birds.  The Locate Mode is also very handy when we get to talking and lose track of where a particular bird dog is, just hit the Locate button and you know instantly.

DT Systems Maxx Range technology enables the DT H2O 1850 PLUS to operate up to a mile out with clear line of sight.  There are a few key reasons why DT Systems collars have such great range.  Unlike most other manufacturers, DT uses a digital FM signal that follows the topography, so you’re able to control collar functions over a hill, not walk to the top so your remote works.  Another reason is the Internal Collar Antenna System.  The antenna on the DT Systems collars is actually woven into the collar strap material itself, protecting the antenna and making it much longer than the competitor’s.

DT Systems H2O 1850 PLUS collars are powered by rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, and of course the charger is included.  By the way, there are some other brands out there that the collar unit is separate from the beeper unit, so with their design you have to maintain two batteries and not all are rechargeable.  The DT H2O 1850 PLUS collar is simple, one battery pack for the entire collar unit.  Simple is good…  The collar and transmitter are both completely waterproof, not just water resistant, and if you drop the transmitter in water it floats!  That’s why it’s called the H2O.  Another point for the DT guys…

All in all, the DT Systems H2O 1850 PLUS is a great upland bird dog training collar that does it’s job, and does it well.  DT Systems backs their ecollars with the best warranty in the industry, and their customer service is second to none.  If you’re in the market for a great beeper training collar, buy a DT Systems H2O 1850 PLUS.

PointerSupply.com carries a full line of gun dog training supplies including electronic training collars, training dummies, dummy launchers, bird scents, and many more bird dog training supplies and upland clothing and apparel to help you and your pup have more fun in the field.  We also offer professional bird dog training, as well as Guided Wild Iowa Pheasant Hunts.

Please check out our other upland hunting product reviews as well as our free online dog training tips for your bird dog.

Thanks, and remember to involve kids in bird dog training, upland hunting, and the wonders of nature!

Dave Kruse – The Pointer Supply Guy

Border Crossing Bird in a Stick Dog Training Scent Product Review | Gun Dog Training Supplies

Border Crossing has come out with a revolutionary new bird scent product for training hunting dogs.  Border Crossing’s patented stick formula eliminates all of the messy problems of liquid scent products!  No spills, tip over a bottle of liquid scent and it’s gone.  No leaks, who hasn’t had a stinky bottle of scent leak in a pocket or backpack.  No mess, no matter how careful you are, liquid scent ends up on your fingers (which you smell during lunch).  No preservatives, bottled scent requires preservatives. Border Crossing’s patented stick formula requires no preservatives so you get 100% pure pheasant scent, quail scent, grouse scent, or duck scent! And, it will not break down in temperatures less than 100 degrees.  Won’t wash away, a big advantage of wax is that the scent won’t wash away in rain or dew like liquid scent.  How to use, apply to retriever training dummy and use for training gun dogs retrieving, or make a scent trail by dragging or wiping dummy on ground and hide in cover for the bird dog to find.

When I tested this product, it had been raining all day, and it was still raining.  I coated five training dummies with the pheasant scent and went out to plant them for my bird dogs.  I dropped each dummy on the ground and made about a three foot scent trail from where I dropped it to where the dummy was to be hidden in knee high grass.  I was half soaked when I released a couple of 4 month old German shorthaired  pointer puppies to hunt for the hidden dummies.  Both of the pups found the scent trails and came bounding out of the grass delivering the dummies to hand.  5 dummies, located and retrieved, in the rain, by puppies, enough said, this stuff works!  This is one of those products you’ll say to yourself – “Why didn’t I think of that!”  I call it “speed stick bird scent” because it comes in a deodorant container, its wax based, and just wipes on the dummy coating it with scent that is highly water and dog slobber resistant.  It does cost a little more than traditional liquid bird scent, but the benefits easily make the Border Crossing Bird in a Stick the best dog training tool for the job.    

So do yourself and your bird dog a favor and pick up a Bird in a Stick by Border Crossing from Pointer Supply in your pup’s favorite flavor: Pheasant, Quail, Grouse, or Duck.  I’ve got the rainy day testing out of the way for you….your welcome!

PointerSupply.com carries a full line of gun dog training supplies including electronic training collars, training dummies, dummy launchers, bird scents, and many more bird dog training supplies and upland clothing and apparel to help you and your pup have more fun in the field.  In addition, we offer professional bird dog training, as well as Guided Wild Iowa Pheasant Hunts.  Please check out our other upland hunting product reviews as well as our free online dog training tips for your bird dog. 

Thanks, and remember to involve kids in bird dog training, upland hunting, and the wonders of nature! 

Dave Kruse – The Pointer Supply Guy    

davidk@pointersupply.com          

DT Systems Super Pro Dummy Launcher Product Review | Gun Dog Training Supplies Review

 The DT Systems Super Pro Dummy Launcher is one of my favorite bird dog training tools.  It’s easy to use, simple to operate, multi-functional, and my dogs love it!  The launcher is fired by a CCI .22 blank that is available in three different powers, Green which is the lightest load resulting in a 40 to 80 yard retrieve, Yellow the medium load has the gun dog running 70 to 100  yards out, and Red the heavy load fires launcher dummies 100 to 120 yards down range.  DT Systems launcher dummies are available in bright white, blaze orange, optic yellow, and camo colors depending on the dummy.  Launcher dummy design options include the 6 inch Feather Weight Launcher Dummy with and without an attached streamer, and the 10 inch Flutter Launcher Dummy which has an erratic flight simulating a falling bird.  A word of caution, the report of the DT Systems Super Pro Dummy Launcher is quite loud.  Firing it over young dogs should only be done once they have been properly sound conditioned to gun fire, and hearing protection for the trainer is strongly suggested. 

 

 The DT Systems Super Pro Dummy Launcher helps your bird hunting dog associate the bang of a gun, marking downed birds, and retrieving back to hand one seamless process.  You can also launch multiple dummies at various distances to train more advanced retrieves.  I would recommend coating the dummies in a bird scent to help your dog hunt dead when retrieving in deep grass.  I have been using a new bird scent by Border Crossing called Bird in a Stick that works extremely well.  I call it bird speed stick because it comes in a deodorant type dispenser that you wipe on the dummies.  It’s easy to use, no mess, and stays on the dummies a long time.  Border Crossing Bird in a Stick bird dog training scents are available in pheasant scent, quail scent, grouse scent, and duck scent depending on your targeted game bird.  Border Crossing is a wax based product that has the scent suspended in it.  The advantage is it won’t go bad over time and stays in a solid form up to 100 degrees F.

 The DT Super Pro Dummy Launcher also has a dual purpose as a blank gun or starter pistol for training young dogs.  All you do is load a CCI 22 blank powerload, but don’t load a dummy on it, and fire it.  It’s plenty loud (I’d wear hearing protection) and you have two training tools in one.

 To see a demonstration of the DT Systems Super Pro Dummy Launcher please watch our YouTube video.  The day we shot the video the wind was at my back and blowing 30 plus mph, so the dummy launcher was shooting the dummies extra far.  Like I mentioned before, it’s my dog’s favorite training exercise.  Get one, you and your dog will have a lot of fun and you’ll end up with a retrieving maniac too!

PointerSupply.com carries a full line of gun dog training supplies including electronic training collars, training dummies, dummy launchers, bird scents, and many more bird dog training supplies and upland clothing and apparel to help you and your pup have more fun in the field.  In addition, we offer professional bird dog training, as well as Guided Wild Iowa Pheasant Hunts.  Please check out our other upland hunting product reviews as well as our free online dog training tips for your bird dog. 

Thanks, and remember to involve kids in bird dog training, upland hunting, and the wonders of nature! 

Dave Kruse – The Pointer Supply Guy    

davidk@pointersupply.com

Bird Dog Retriever Training | Stopping Short on the Retrieve

   

GSP Puppy Retrieving Pheasant

  

I’ve had numerous gun dog owners tell me their dogs will retrieve naturally, but stop short by 4 to 10 feet, and are reluctant to come all the way in to hand.  I have found this solution to work very well for bird dog puppies, seasoned gundogs, pointing dogs, and flushing dogs.  The fix is easier than you think, and it’s a positive training technique using no pressure or correction of any kind.  Let’s start with some retriever training basics and build from there. First of all, don’t be in a hurry to take the training dummy bumper or bird from the dog.  By letting him keep his prize for a short time while you praise him for a job well done you’re now giving him an alternate reason to come all the way in, in addition, this will train your bird dog to hold the bird until you give the release command for him to deliver to hand.  Training your bird dog to hold by hooking a finger in the collar and supporting the jaw while petting him on the head with the other hand will stop him from dropping the bird or retrieving bumper prematurely. 

 Secondly, anticipate his stopping short and before he gets where he typically stops, turn around and quickly walk away.  He will follow you and forget all about stopping short.  You can then stop, praise him, and take the dummy or bird after letting him hold it a moment.  This technique works extremely well with young dogs.  I’ve let my 4 month old puppies carry birds 200 yards back to the truck before putting the bird in my hand.  The next step is to walk backwards near the end of the retrieve while using inviting body language and verbal encouragement to come all the way in.  Next you will only need to take a 1/2 step back to get your hunting dog to roll in with the bird or retrieving dummy.  

And finally, he will anticipate you to step back but you won’t, and he’ll slam into your knees (so brace yourself).  When your retriever comes flying in, stops correctly, and waits for you to ask for the bird to be put in your hand and not make you reach for it, pat the dog on the head and yourself on the back – NICE JOB!    

Each of these stages will take time, patience, and repetition.  So don’t get in a rush to jump to the next phase.  Enjoy your bird dog having success at each level of progression, and occasionally challenge him with variations in where you train and what type of dog training aids you use.  

Remember, don’t take his prize away to fast, give him plenty of praise to look forward to, and always end your training session leaving him wanting more.  This may take a little time but the results will be worth it. 

Please let us know how this tip works for you and your pup! 

PointerSupply.com carries a full line of gun dog training supplies including electronic training collars, training dummies, dummy launchers, bird scents, and many more bird dog training supplies and upland clothing and apparel to help you and your pup have more fun in the field.  In addition, we offer professional bird dog training, as well as Guided Wild Iowa Pheasant Hunts.  Please check out our other upland hunting product reviews as well as our free online dog training tips for your bird dog.  

Thanks, and remember to involve kids in bird dog training, upland hunting, and the wonders of nature!  

Dave Kruse – The Pointer Supply Guy     

davidk@pointersupply.com

Bird Dog Training Tip | How NOT to have a GUN SHY DOG

Gundog Training for Sound Conditioning

What is sound conditioning training and why should I do it?

It’s teaching your pup that noise is just noise.  Sound conditioning is a very important part of hunting dog training.  The concept of taking an 8 week old puppy to a shooting range to “see if he’s gun shy” is just plain nuts.  Should we take a toddler out and do the same?  Of course not!  The goal of properly sound conditioning your gundog is to teach him that there are all kinds of sounds in the world, and they aren’t any big deal.  Noise is just noise, it’s the same principal as exposing your bird dog to all kinds of events, people, and environments so that you end up with a very well socialized dog.  This basic training should be done for all dogs, not only hunting dogs.  Have you ever known anyone that lived close to a highway or train track?  At first it probably bothered them a little, and then over time they learned to “tune out” the noise to the point they didn’t even notice it anymore.  That’s the goal, to get pup to the “tune out” stage so he can focus on the task at hand.

How do I sound condition my pup?

There are many ways to train sound conditioning.  The main thing is that it’s done in a safe, comfortable environment for the pup.  I like to do sound conditioning in the kennel, crate, or yard.  Somewhere that the pup already feels safe will minimize the risk of making any unwanted negative associations.  While I am present during the initial stages to reassure pup everything’s ok, the most productive training is done when I’m not there.  PointerSupply.com sells a Sound Conditioning CD for Dog Training that has 200 random sounds and it has everything from sleigh bells to shotguns on it.  Training is as easy as hitting play on your CD player at a low volume while pup is in his kennel and you’re on your way out the door.  Turning the volume up over time, and pretty soon noise is just noise.  If your bird dog resides in a kennel with a concrete floor, hang a metal trash can lid by the handle an inch off the concrete with heavy wire.  As your bird dog is running around he’ll step on it and “bang-clang” he makes his own noise, he self trains.  A few months of this and you’ll end up with a pup that fears no sound, because noise is just noise.

Sound conditioning is one of the most important puppy training tips I can give you for gun dog training. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing pointing dog training or retriever dog training, if you’re training hunting dogs you need to include sound conditioning in your routine so your bird dogs aren’t gun shy.

Dream up your own self training situations, the possibilities are limitless, and so are the rewards…..  For more great dog training online tips check out our other free gundog training tips on our blog at www.pointersupply.wordpress.com.

PointerSupply.com carries a full line of gun dog training supplies including electronic training collars, training dummies, dummy launchers, bird scents, and many more bird dog training supplies and upland clothing and apparel to help you and your pup have more fun in the field.  In addition, we offer professional bird dog training, as well as Guided Wild Iowa Pheasant Hunts.  Please check out our other upland hunting product reviews as well as our free online dog training tips for your bird dog. 

Thanks, and remember to involve kids in bird dog training, upland hunting, and the wonders of nature! 

Dave Kruse – The Pointer Supply Guy    

davidk@pointersupply.com