Feeding Essentials

Bowls

• Stainless steel (preferred)

• Dishwasher-safe

Dog Food

• We feed Inukshuk

  • High-density / low-volume (see their website for details)

  • Where to buy:

    • Local pros/resellers (Inukshuk website / Facebook Marketplace) — usually a small markup

    • Online retailers like Chewy

Formulas we use (by calorie level)

• Low calorie: Professional Dry Dog Food 26/16

  • Summer / low activity

  • Dogs with weight issues

• Medium calorie: Professional Dry Dog Food 30/25

• High calorie: Professional Dry Dog Food 32/32

  • Weaning puppies

  • Adults during hunting / high activity season

Collar & Leash

Dog Collar

• Plan to buy two: a puppy collar + an adult collar

• Puppy collar sizing

  • 3" neck diameter

  • Collar length: 13"

  • Buy with room to grow

• Adult collar sizing

  • 15–16" neck diameter average

  • Collar length: 20"

Harness note

• We do not advise harnesses (designed for pulling with minimal discomfort)

• Instead: promote proper leash training (loose-leash walking)

Leash

• (Your preference/standard leash is fine—focus is training consistency)

Crate Setup

Dog Crate (Plastic or Wire)

• Ruffland Kennels

  • Size: Intermediate or Large

  • Pros: great for cars, no rattling, easy to clean

  • Con: does not collapse

• Wire crate

  • Pros: collapses, lots of ventilation, cheaper

  • Con: harder to clean accidents

Crate Pad

• Primo Pads

  • Dogs like comfort, but often shred bedding / get too warm

  • Wipe-clean and cooler than blankets

  • Must fit tightly to prevent chewing corners

Dog Bed (Home / Place Training)

Kuranda Dog Beds

• Size: Large or bigger

• Nearly indestructible

• Works indoors (washable covers available) or outdoors

• Can double as a “place” platform for training

Toys & Long-Lasting Chews

Busy Toy (crate training / distraction)

• PetSafe Busy Buddy Busy Penguin (Size Large)

• Dishwasher-safe

• Peanut butter method:

  • Put PB in a zip-top bag

  • Microwave a few seconds until pliable

  • Snip a corner and “pipe” into toy cavity

  • Freeze if desired

• Great for: crate time, reward, calming when you leave

Chews

• Cow hooves (safer than rawhides in that dogs won’t typically swallow whole)

Nail Care

We prefer grinding vs clipping

• Puppies are introduced early

• If you hear nails clicking on the floor → time to grind/trim

Tools

• Cordless Dremel (any similar brand works)

• Diama Groove bit by Whitman’s (Pinnacle / Standard Grit)

  • Long-lasting option

• Disposable sanding drums also work

Grooming Tools (Stripping / General)

For stripping the coat

• Fine stripping knife

• Coarse stripping knife

  • Lots of options / personal preference

  • Example style: metal blade with plastic handle

To improve grip

• Stripping powder

• Latex gloves (simple ones)

General

• Simple comb (also great for checking coat after field runs and removing debris)

How-to

• “Stripping Video” (You Tube Video)

Pen/Indoor Containment

Puppy pen

• Wire or wooden pens can help but aren’t required

Floor protection

• Waterproof washable pads under the pen

• Use pads larger than the pen to prevent corner chewing

Yard Containment

Fence, The obvious best option, but we’ve had great success with underground systems.

Underground fence system we use

• SportDOG Brand “Contain & Train”

  • Expandable to multiple dogs

  • Includes transmitter for basic training

Dog Door (Cold-Climate Friendly)

Midwest winters demand airtight + tough to reduce heating/cooling loss.

We’ve been extremely impressed by

• Armor Flex Air Tight Aluminum Frame Pet Doors by High Tech Pet

  • Size: Large

Hunting & Training Gear

Check Cord

Short puppy check cord

• Can be as simple as a string + snap

• Recommended length: 10–15 ft, lightweight

• Uses:

  • Early “here” work

  • Shaping retrieve (gently “reel” them in)

Important retrieve note

• Praise heavily

• Don’t immediately take the item from their mouth early on

  • Helps avoid “keep-away” and supports natural delivery

Standard check cord

• 30 ft as puppy gets older

Place Boards

• Helpful if slightly elevated and visually obvious

• Uses:

  • Place training

  • Shaping retrieve placement

  • Directional work

Examples

• Cato Place Board

• Kuranda bed

• Cardboard / simple platforms

GPS / E-Collar

Once your pup ranges bigger in thick cover, GPS helps prevent losing sight/location.

E-collar (personal preference)

• Trusted brands: Garmin, Dogtra

Visibility & Protection

• Visibility vest or flash collar

• Skid vest (depends on the cover you hunt)

Skid Plate Option

• Mendota Pet Skid Plate

  • Size: Medium (teenage → adult up to 45 lb)

  • Size: Large: adult (50 lb+)

Flash Collar Option

• Field King Reflective Collar

  • Size: Measure your dog's neck to determine the correct size

Whistle

• Any quality whistle is fine—choose one you’ll use consistently

Tie Out Stake

• ALWAYS USE UNDER SUPERVISION

• Useful for: training containment, keeping dog cool, teaching patience