As waterfowlers who hunt both professionally and personally having a birddog is crucial. My husband and I contacted Trailrunners in Big River, Saskatchewan, in 2016. We had seen their incredible dogs at the Edmonton Boat & Sportsman Show for years and were blown away by their abilities as well as the dedication of the Oudshoorn Family. We very much appreciate their mission. They seek to “strengthen and promote the healthy bloodlines of the working Labrador retriever in Canada and the world. [T]o produce a superior Labrador, whose purpose is to serve and benefit humankind in the most meaningful ways possible.” We welcomed Gauge to our family in November and then took him back to Trailrunners the following March for almost five months of intensive training with them.
He underwent obedience training, learned how to properly heel and walk beside us, he learned how to fetch on command, perform various drills relating to hunting and working, loading in and out of a vehicle, his kennel and blind, in addition to water steadiness and of course gun safety. Overall, our dog’s transformation was remarkable; he left us an anxious little puppy and came home a confident dog eager to get into the field; desperate to work. Because of this, Gauge was even able to obtain his Junior Hunt Certification in Saskatoon. He had a successful first season with us in September/October of 2017. We cannot thank the staff and the Oudshoorn family enough for the time and care they took with Gauge.
Gauge is a beloved member of our family however, he is also a specially trained working dog. His needs and typical (material) necessities are different than that of a traditional pet. We have to work with him constantly and there are a few products that make it all possible.
Dogtra E-Collar
“In order to prepare your dog to perform the necessary tasks for hunting, you will need to train them on a number of behaviors as well as several commands. The most modern hunters rely on Dogtra e-collars to help them get ready in the field…so you can easily and powerfully reinforce all the behaviors and responses necessary for an effective hunt.”
Tanglefree Flight Series Dog Blind
“Keep your favorite hunting partner hidden and protected from the harshest conditions. The new Flight Series Dog Blind is built with a corrosion resistant aluminum frame and 600D Polyester Optifade material, it is sure to handle anything Mother Nature can dish out. With a double entry door, extra stubble straps for adaptability and a low profile, your companion will be ready to work all day.”
Tanglefree Flight Series Dog Vest
“For dogs that hunt as hard as you do, this vest will keep them afloat longer, and more comfortable on long cold retrieves. Made out of neoprene with a centered grab handle built in. Offered in both GORE OPTIFADE Concealment Waterfowl Marsh and Timber Patterns.” Gauge spends time in the winter going ice fishing with my husband. We zip him up in his vest and he hangs out on his dog bed in the tent.
Tanglefree Bumpers/Practice Birds
Whether it is a mallard or bumper pack, having these allows us “to cover all training simulations and exercises needed to get [our] dog ready for the fall…Tanglefree dog bumpers have the durability to provide [us] and [our] hunting partner with plenty of training activity in the off-season.” We also have a simulated goose, that Gauge loves to practice with.
Dog Run
At 85 pounds and super active, Gauge is not really a house pet. In the winter he spends more time inside as the freezing temperatures make it unsafe for him (or any dog) to be outside for any length of time. But, during the spring and summer he spends lots of time outside with us. When he isn’t practising, hunting, fishing or hanging out in shade while I garden, he gets a chance to be a puppy and run around his deluxe dog run that my husband and I built for him; complete with a few toys, dog house and food/water tray.
Origen Food
Nutrition is just as important for a dog as it is for us, so we choose to feed Gauge (as well as our cats) Origen food. Typically we give him Regional Red but he also enjoys Original and Six Fish. For a treat he gets moose bones. We like that this brand of food is, “biologically appropriate, [uses] fresh regional ingredients [and is] never outsourced.”
