4 Ways to Keep Your Gun Dog Safe in the Field

Gun dogs are prone to injuries. No matter how hard you try, your dog can’t always escape the many hazards in the field. All sorts of potential harm awaits when you head out. It can be slipping in rough or muddy terrain and injuring a joint or muscle.  In the intensity of running down a rooster and driving into a barbed wire fence or getting hung up on the way out of a duck boat. Rattlesnakes, porcupines, quills from desert plants, increasingly bobcats and many other varmints both animal and plant life can ruin any hunting trip in a hurry. As any experienced dog owners there many more that can be added to the list.

You just never know what could hurt your dog. Hunting is the kind of sport that may expose  your dog to of these potentially harmful situation..

That being said, it is not entirely impossible to evade certain unfortunate situations and keep your dog protected from harm.

Let’s have a look at some of the measures you can take to ensure the safety of your dog.

• Scope Out Your Terrain

Before you let your dog enter in the field or area you intend to hunt. scope it out properly. Take a closer look at all the fences, entrances,  creeks, uneven terrain, brush, crop fields etc.   Many times hazards such as  barbed fencing, woven wire fencing, wire gates, deep ditches and many other potentially dangerous things are just scattered across the area. You can easily trample over or through them but your dog can get seriously injured because of them.

Take time to locate as many of these hazards as possible before you start your hunt. And stay on the lookout for any you may have missed.

• Keep a Close Watch on Your Dog

While in the field, you may not always be able to control the behavior of your dog. It may stray, take off after a running bird or one of the worst is some dogs will lose all control when a deer presents itself. Once your dog is out of your sight or for some reason your control you won’t be able to protect it. In such a case, you need to have specific tools in place to ensure its safety.

Thanks to Garmin there is now are tremendous products to help keep track of your dog(s) no matter the breed or the type of hunting you do.

Garmin Astro 430                                                                                                 

Garmin Astro 430 is the new-generation Garmin GPS and GLONASS tracking system for sporting dogs. It can track up to 20 dogs1 at a range of up to 9 miles.

Garmin Alpha – Tracking and Training

Garmin Alpha Bundle w TT15 Dog Tracking Training a Multi-dog Tracking GPS and Remote Training Device in One

• Tracks up to 20 dogs or buddies from up to 9 miles away
• 18 training levels of continuous and momentary stimulation
• Tone and vibration alerts
• Preloaded TOPO U.S. 100k maps
• Measures dogs’ speed and distance traveled

• Call It Back to Yourself at Any Sign of Danger

Always having a back-up is compulsory. Sometimes, your dog may be so focused on the prey and may not notice a dangerous path ahead of it. If you can see it over its head, you can snap your dog’s attention to you by a whistle. SportDOG Answer Whistle is one of the best for your dog. Even if your dog is an inch away from trouble, it will answer you when you blow the answer whistle!

• Always Carry a First Aid Kit in the Field

Even if you are very careful, there are chances that your dog might get hurt. In any case, it is better to stay prepared. Always keep a first aid kit with you in the field. For this purpose, you can keep a Chest Pack / Harness / Gear Organizer with you. It can carry a first aid kit easily and you will be able to carry it hands-free during the trip!

Your gun dog is your responsibility. You have to take necessary steps to make sure it stays safe with you. The quality products from Gun Dog Outfitter mentioned in this post and many more like these can help you with that! We are just one click away from you! Visit our website and order the best protection for your best buddy!