Stocking stuffers for gun dogs

By Scott Haugen

Christmas around the Haugen house has always been filled with excitement and chaos, especially since bringing a pair of gun dogs into the family. As puppies, Echo and Kona – both pudelpointers – loved opening everyone’s gifts, tearing into the wrapping paper and playing with bows. Nowadays our dogs like opening their own presents.

Over the past year I’ve used and tested a lot of dog gear, and if you’re looking for some stocking stuffer ideas for your four-legged hunting partner this Christmas, consider these items, which I’ve used and recommend – and so would Echo and Kona.

HEALTHY TREATS While I don’t formally train my dogs by giving them treats, I will use treats to occasionally praise them in more casual settings. Usually the low-key praises are meant to commend my dog for carrying out basic obedience. I keep treats stashed around the house, in the shop, even in my truck, so they’re handy to give the dogs.

Treats can be addicting, and I don’t want my dogs becoming conditioned to them. I give them sparingly, randomly, and what I give them optimizes their health. When I say healthy treats, I don’t mean ones that gas station attendants or coffee shops might hand out. I mean treats that are healthy, all the way around.

My top three healthy dog treats used this year are Jerky Treats by NutriSource, OC Raw Dog’s freezedried food in bite-size pieces, and PureVita’s Nutritious Dog Treats.

A lightweight, grease-free, proteinrich treat my dogs go crazy over is the

The soft, pliable material of the Zisc, made by West Paw, makes it fun and safe for even the most aggressive dogs ... (SCOTT HAUGEN)

NutriSource Jerky (nutrisourcepetfoods .com). These grain- and gluten-free treats are a great energy booster throughout the day. I like the variety of nutritious blends used in the making of the NutriSource Jerky Treats, but if your dog is picky consider PureVita Jerky, which is created from a single protein.

NutriSource is also the maker of PureVita premium pet food, and their new line of Nutritious Treats are great. My older dog sometimes experiences joint discomfort, and the PureVita Hip & Joint treats are ideal for her and deliver noticeable relief. PureVita also has a Skin & Coat nutritious dog treat. Both treats are made with real meat and enhanced with glucosamine, chondroitin and vitamin C, while the Skin & Coat treats also offer omega-3 oil and multiple fatty acids.

I slightly vary the diet of my dogs from time to time, and routinely feed them raw meat of various types. When on the road, I often feed

… Plus it glows in the dark, making for fun fetches, no matter what time of day or night. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

them freeze-dried supplements and treats. I was pleased with OC Raw Dog’s (ocrawdog.com) freeze-dried formulation, and the bite-size pieces are perfect for treats. OC Raw Dog utilizes all natural, whole muscle and organ meat and farm-fresh produce. These, along with other pure ingredients, assure your dog of getting healthy, high-quality snacks, which will show in their performance. Be sure to offer plenty of water when using freeze-dried food or treats.

GLOW DISC Of course, no dog’s stocking is complete without a toy. This Christmas, Echo and Kona will get plenty of toys, along with a mix of training dummies. One toy my dogs loved this year – and will be getting more of – is the Zisc Flying Disc, from West Paw (westpaw.com). I love playing frisbee with my dogs, as it helps build valuable marking skills by forcing them to watch the sky, and teaches them obedience, all while having fun, and the Zisc is their favorite flying disc.

My dogs love the texture of the Zisc, which is soft and pliable, yet still flies a long way. If your dog likes catching discs in the air or chasing them when rolled rapidly on the ground, the Zisc is great, as the flexible, latex-free construction makes for easy grabbing that won’t hurt your dog’s mouth, no matter how aggressive it is. Available in a range of colors and two sizes, my favorite is the large 8.5-inch Glow model; yes, it’s white by day but glows by night, making for fun and easy marking, no matter when playtime happens.

YETI DOG BOWL We travel a lot with our dogs, and be it on the road or at home, they always have their Yeti Dog Bowls (yeti.com). For years I searched for the ideal food

The perfect stocking stuffer for your gun dog – a variety of healthy treats! (SCOTT HAUGEN)

bowl for my dogs, and Yeti’s is the best I’ve used, for many reasons.

Dubbed Boomer, the bowl is incredibly durable thanks to its double-wall, noninsulated, stainless steel construction. These bowls have traveled with me throughout the West and into Alaska, and though they have some dents and dings in them, there are no rust spots or punctures.

The nonslip ring on the bottom of the Boomer is tough and dependable. I’ve used it on pavement, in gravel, on snow and ice, and it’s proven flawless. If you’re tired of those dog dishes with a rubber ring around the bottom that comes off after little wear, the Boomer solves that problem.

The Boomer is perfect for kibble, raw food, even water. If you like mixing kibble with water, the edges on the bowl make for easy access. Yeti’s Dog Bowl is simple to clean, whether wiping down with a towel or placing in the dishwasher.

There you have it, a small list of important gifts that I think your gun dog will enjoy. No matter what gifts you get your dog, have fun with them, and enjoy a safe and joyous holiday season. CS

Editor’s note: To watch Scott Haugen’s series of puppy training videos, visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott on Instagram and Facebook.