Visit a Northern Illinois Dog Park or Come to Us for Dog Training In Northern Illinois
McHenry County Illinois Dog Training – McHenry County Dog Park List
Hound Town Dog Park – 851 IL-176, Crystal Lake, IL, US, 60014 – For more information call (815) 459-0680.
Bull Valley Dog Park – 11115 Country Club Rd, Woodstock, IL, US, 60098 – For more information call 815-459-4833.
Northern Illinois Dog Training
Lake in the Hills Dog Park – 9027 Haligus Rd, Lake in the Hills, IL, US, 60156 – For more information call (847) 960-7460. Veteran Acres Park – 330 N Main St, Crystal Lake, IL, US, 60014 – For more information call (815) 477-5400. (Bring your pet for a stroll through this lovely public park. Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on-leash.)
McBark Dog Park – 2500 N Richmond Rd, Mchenry, IL, US, 60051
Lake County Illinois Dog Training – Lake County Dog Park List
Lakewood Dog Park – 27511 N Fairfield Rd, Wauconda, IL, US, 60084 – For more information call Or call (847) 367-6640 for more information.
Duck Farm Dog Park – 1439 E Grand Ave, Lake Villa, IL, US, 60046 – For more information call Or call (847) 367-6640 for more information.
Happy Tails – 835 Commerce Ct, Buffalo Grove, IL, US, 60089 – For more information call Or call (847) 459-2311 for more information.
DuPage County Illinois Dog Training – DuPage County Dog Park List
Bark Park – 849 W Lies Rd, Carol Stream, IL, US, 60188 – For more information call (630) 784-6100.
Hawk Hollow Preserve – Bittersweet Dr and Stearns Rd, Bartlett, IL, US, 60103 – For more information call (630) 933-7248.
DeKalb County Illinois Dog Training – DeKalb County Dog Park List
Katz Dog Park – 201 W Dresser Rd, Dekalb, IL, US, 60115 – For more information call (815) 739-4500.
Southern Wisconsin Dog Training – Southern Wisconsin Dog Park List
I realize this is not a complete list, but this will give you a couple ideas where to take Buster, the next time out.
Please note that we do not encourage the use of dog parks. But if you must visit one, please keep an eye on your dog and even closer eye on the other dogs in the area.
Keep Bull Valley Retrievers in mind for all your Northern Illinois Dog Training needs. If its your household companion or next hunting partner, we can help him be the best he can be.
One of the most common questions that hunters have is when to transition their puppy from yard work to marks in the field. The general rule of thumb is to make this switch after performing plenty of conditioning retrieves and when the dog is reliably delivering bumpers to hand.
A great first drill that can be performed is the check-down drill. Here, hunters should find a flat field that is approximately 80 yards, and have a gunner shoot a blank pistol or give a hey hey before tossing a bumper with a short, flat throw to the left. Before each subsequent throw, the gunner should move in to the right, continually getting closer.
This drill has a number of benefits. First, it teaches the dog to hunt the proper side of the gun. Second, the check-down drill teaches the dog to hunt the area properly for the downed bird.
To begin this drill, first put your dog in a sitting position. Signal the gunner, who will shoot a blank (or give a hey hey) and toss a bumper. Stick your hand down, then wait 3 counts before sending your dog. Timing here is important. Hunters fall into the habit of immediately sending their dog, which creates bad habits in the field, such as poor steadying.
When your dog returns with the bumper, have your dog continue to hold it in his or her mouth in order to stay focused on the task at hand. Have the gunner repeat the throw, but this time from a closer distance and in the opposite direction. Once the bumper hits the ground, again wait before sending your dog. Be sure to praise your animal for patience.
As your dog gets the hang of this drill, keep an eye on his or her marking behavior. If your dog overruns the mark, continue with the gunner starting farther away and moving in. However, if your dog hunts too sharply, do the opposite and have the gunner move out with each throw. This check-down drill can be performed every day.
Joe Scarpy – Trainer / Bull Valley Retrievers
HuntEmUp.com – The Worldwide Sporting Dog Superstore
In the world of shed-antler hunting, your chances of finding antlers significantly increase with the amount of ground that can be covered. If you combine your dog’s ability to tirelessly cover miles of ground with his or her superior nose, you have the world’s best tool for shed hunting.
The allure of hunting sheds with your dog is simple. Nearly any breed of dog can be trained to complete this task, even animals from non-retrieving backgrounds. Shed hunting with your dog provides exercise, socialization, bonding, and greatly improves your chances of finding a valuable shed. Listed here are tips for training your shed dog.
Step 1: Indoor Retrieves
As with any type of dog training, you should start with simple drills. Find a small shed without sharp edges or an antler dummy and practice with your dog in a restricted area, such as a hallway or small room. Toss the antler or dummy, encourage your dog to pick it up and bring it back to you, and provide copious amounts of praise when your pet follows directions.
Step 2: Outdoor Retrieves
Once your dog has mastered indoor retrieves, move to the outdoors where more distractions are present and your dog can work from a farther distance. After tossing the antler, use the command, “find the bone.” It is important to have a distinct command from your dog’s normal retrieving duties. You can keep a check cord on your dog to help keep your pet on task if he or she struggles. Whenever your dog brings the antler, provide a high-value reward.
Step 3: Scent Work
After your dog has displayed proficiency with outdoor retrieves, teach him or her how to hunt for the shed. Rack wax improves your dog’s ability to learn the scent of the shed antlers that you will hide in your yard. The key here is to make initial hunts easy for your pet. Hide the rack wax-treated sheds in easy-to-find locations before telling your dog to “find the bone.” If necessary, guide your pet. Over time, make the sheds more difficult to find.
Step 4: Increase the Difficulty Finally, when your dog has mastered the hunting portion of your training it is time to increase the difficulty further by removing all traces of human scent from the antler. Use rack wash and rubber gloves when handling your training sheds to make sure your dog is hunting the sheds, not your scent.
The toughest aspect of dog ownership is that all young dogs grow old. However, old age does not mean that your dog’s hunting days are over. As long as he or she is willing, there is no reason to keep your senior dog from the field. However, care should be taken to physically prepare your dog, with a few modifications from years past.
Exercise
A dog that remains active will live the longest and healthiest life. Even after your dog reaches his or her golden years, continue to exercise your pet in whatever capacity he or she can handle. It is important to be vigilant about the level of exercise that is comfortable for your dog, and not to push your pet beyond this point. Your dog’s ability level may be drastically different from even a year ago. Allow your dog to call the shots in terms of exercise, and call it a day at the first signs of exhaustion.
Weight
Keeping your senior dog at a healthy weight is crucial. Older dogs are more susceptible to illness and injury, both of which are more likely to occur if your dog is carrying a few extra pounds. As a dog ages, his or her metabolism slows down, so it is important to adjust portion sizes accordingly. Examine your dog’s body condition and look for a noticeable waist and tucked up belly.
Arthritis
Nearly every senior sport dog will develop arthritis to some degree. If your dog is struggling to get around, visit a veterinarian and talk about options for managing your dog’s pain. There are many arthritis drugs on the market that can significantly improve your dog’s quality of life without busting your budget.
Hunting
When your dog is ready, take him or her for a hunt. Treat your dog the same way that you did as a puppy, and limit the time spent in the field. Be cognizant of your dog’s needs and restrictions. Many senior dogs may only be able to spend an hour or two hunting per trip. Make sure you stick to your plan and put your dog up when he or she shows signs of growing tired. Recovery is most important, and most senior dogs will require 2 – 3 days before they can handle another outing.
Even though your dog might not be as quick or agile as in years past, there is no doubt your dog still has an intense love of hunting and spending time with you. Don’t shy from taking your dog out on hunts, but be realistic about his or her abilities. Ultimately, the time spent together can never be replaced, so as long as your dog is willing, do not miss the opportunity to make the most of your dog’s golden years.
Does a perfect bird dog exist? In short, no. However, there are a number of common problems that hunters face with their bird dogs that can be remedied in order to create a better hunting partner for your needs. Listed here are common problems encountered through each stage of a bird dog’s development.
Bumping Birds
This problem is most likely to occur in pointing dogs, and is indeed their number one offense. Pointers are often guilty of crowding the bird, dancing while on point, overrunning his or her nose and running directly into the bird, or only pointing for a short period of time before flushing the bird. Hunters have many preferences for their pointers, such as remaining steady until given the signal to flush; remaining steady until the bird is airborne; remaining steady until the bird is shot; or remaining steady until a fetch command is given. Regardless of the hunter’s preference, a pointer that is bumping birds by breaking the point or forgoing the point altogether is limiting the hunter’s chance to shoot.
Fixing this problem requires patience and a little bit of help. Recruit a hunting buddy to hold a check cord or e-collar while you flush and shoot a bird. If your dog breaks the point, the second handler will correct your dog. Other solutions include overlaying the whoa command with the correction, using pop traps, or keeping distance between your dog and the bird.
Substandard Retrieves
A second common offense is incomplete retrievals. This problem can include not picking up the bird, not returning with the bird immediately, or dropping short. Fortunately for hunters, this problem is easily addressed with drills. One of the best ways to prevent this problem from occurring is the “trained retrieve” or “force fetch.” However, care must be taken that this technique is performed early and properly. If the dog has already been through retrieval training but has begun to get sloppy, revisiting the trained retrieve process can remedy the problem. There are a number of other drills that address specific retrieval issues. For instance, excitement drills remind the dog that retrieving is rewarding, while delayed retrieves give the dog a sense of urgency. Rewarded delivery and keeping repetitive drills fun for the dog also go a long way in solving common retrieval problems.
Difficult Mouth
Although having a “difficult” mouth – i.e., hard mouth, refusing to give up the bird, chomping, playing tug of war, etc. falls under substandard retrieves, it should be discussed as its own unique challenge. There are many ways to fix this problem, such as with classic techniques involving bristled brushes or dumbbells with nails. Additional methods for overcoming these problems include allowing the dog to occasionally keep possession of the bird, not allowing the dog to stop moving and thereby preventing chewing, providing light corrections with the e-collar, or positively reinforcing the dog for good behavior.
Gun Shyness
Few dogs are truly naturally gun shy, However, it is not uncommon for dogs to develop a sensitivity to the sound of gunfire due to improper introduction to the sound of a gun, or due to a traumatic experience with loud noises such as thunderstorms or fireworks. In many instances, gun sensitivity can be overcome with careful training. This process involves a controlled increased gun volume in combination with decreasing distance from the sound, as well as positive associations and distractions.
Considerations
When addressing common bird dog problems, there are a few considerations that can be made which will make life easier for both hunter and dog. For instance, what are the resources you can use in overcoming your dog’s problems? Are there professional dog trainers, experienced hunters, or hunting breeders in you area that you can turn to for help?
If money is an issue, consider the cost of trainers or training clinics. What is the cost of pen-raised birds, if this is something to which you have access. Do you own the proper equipment for training? If not, do you know someone who could lend you the necessary items? Are there areas in which you can shoot pen-raised birds, and do you have the proper permits?
Another consideration is time. If you do not have unlimited time to fix your dog’s problems before the next bird season, hiring professional help might be most cost-effective. Certain problems are best left to the professionals, such as severe gun shyness, lack of steadiness, training regression, and bird mutilation.
Ultimately, working with a professional trainer will not only save you time and money, but will also help you learn more about training. However, it is important to find the trainer that best fits your needs, as every training method is different.
Of course, the best way to solve these common bird dog problems is to avoid them in the first place. Exposing dogs to live birds from an early age is important, as well as proper introduction to gunfire. Building a strong retrieving foundation is crucial. A close bond between hunter and gun dog helps develop a good work ethic and better cooperation, as well.
McHenry County Dog Boarding and Finding a Kennel for Boarding Your Dog
Your dog is a member of the family, which is why going out of town and leaving your pet behind can be stressful. Finding a kennel for boarding your dog that puts your mind at ease is important. McHenry County Dog Boarding options are slim, but there are a couple good choices. Here, boarding your dog will be discussed.
What is a Boarding Kennel?
There are many options available when it comes to leaving your dog in someone else’s care. Most commonly, dog owners choose boarding facilities called kennels. A boarding kennel is a business that has been licensed to care for animals. Unlike at-home dog sitters, boarding kennels are subject to a number of rules and regulations to ensure the health and safety of your pet.
How to Find a Kennel
Finding the kennel that fits your needs is important. Three ways to search for a kennel include:
Word of Mouth
Ask your friends and canine professionals for recommendations. Veterinarians, dog store owners, and trainers can all provide trusted recommendations.
Phonebook / Internet Search
Next, search in your phonebook or online for kennels in the area. You can also find reviews and ratings for the facilities that you find.
Choosing a Kennel
Once you have a list of possible boarding kennels, do some homework. Suggestions include:
Availability
First and foremost, inquire with the kennels about their availability for the dates you will be gone. There is no use going through the hassle of interviewing a facility if they are unable to accommodate your pet.
Personal Tour
Next, schedule a walking tour through the kennel. Avoid any facility that does not allow personal tours. During your tour, make notes and ask questions about the following key points:
Appearance: is the kennel well-kept, neat, and orderly? Are there any offending odors or obvious messes?
Security: are fences high enough to contain your dog? Are animals supervised when they are outside of their living quarters? What protocols are in place to prevent escape?
Relaxation: are there dividers between pets to minimize noise and distraction? Is the kennel loud and chaotic, or relatively peaceful?
Safety: are kennel personnel trained in pet First Aid and CPR? How often is the well-being of each dog checked?
Health: are the dogs provided clean water? What are the feeding procedures, and what type of food will your dog be fed? How are instances of illness and injury handled? Which immunizations are required? Can medications be administered? How are parasites controlled?
Comfort: is the temperature inside the kennel comfortable? Are dogs protected from the elements? Are ventilation, lighting, and bedding appropriate?
Exercise: is the exercise area an appropriate size? How much exercise time is provided? Is exercise time solo or in a group of other dogs?
Preparing your Dog
When you have chosen a kennel, the next step is to prepare for your trip. First, be sure to make reservations well in advance, as many kennels run out of availability. Next, make sure your dog’s immunizations are up to date. Some vaccinations require boosters, so it is important to make sure you schedule immunizations well in advance. Finally, prepare your dog for your absence. If your pet has never been boarded before, consider dropping off your pet for a short overnight visit, or for kenneled day care, if available. When you drop off your pet at the facility, do not treat the visit as anything out of the ordinary to avoid alarming your dog.
Picking up your Pet Always pick up your pet during normal business hours and be sure to call if your travel plans change. Don’t forget to ask about your pet’s visit. Did he or she show stress or anxiety, or have an upset stomach during the stay? If your dog is hyperactive and excited upon your return, limit access to food or water in order to avoid the possibility of bloat. In addition, understand that your pet may be tired for the first 24 – 48 hours you are home, as there was probably lots to do, see, and sniff while you were away!
Finding a kennel for boarding your dog is not always an easy decision but your search for McHenry County Dog Boarding can be resolved with call to us here at Bull Valley Retrievers & Kennels.
injury, both of which are more likely to occur if your dog is carrying a few extra pounds. As a dog ages, his or her metabolism slows down, so it is important to adjust portion sizes accordingly. Examine your dog’s body condition and look for a noticeable waist and tucked up belly. 
Recent Comments