Road trippin’ with your hunting dog

PREPPING PUP FOR A ROAD TRIP

By Scott Haugen

Bird hunting season is almost here, which means preparation for those road trips starts now for both you and your canine hunting partner. At this point, hopefully you’re both in hunting shape, but just like you, your gun dog needs to have all the gear, food and first aid supplies ready for the hunt. Here’s a rundown on things to consider.

IF TRAVELING TO other states or into Canada (assuming the border is reopened to nonessential travelers this hunting season), make sure your dog is up to date on rabies and any other vaccinations that may be required. If hunting in Canada, you’ll need a current health certificate issued from your vet. Be sure to get a first aid kit ready for your dog with all medications, bandages, tape, gauze and ear/eye ointments. Be sure to include anti-inflammatory, joint and pain relief medicines.

Prior to hitting the road, make a list of veterinarian offices you can get in contact with along the way. Check for clinics that are open after hours and on weekends, when most hunting takes place. Keep their phone numbers handy and easily accessible when in the field so you can immediately contact them should an emergency develop.

If your dog travels in a kennel, make sure it’s firmly secured so it doesn’t slide around on the bed of your truck. Speaking of bed, bring a cushion or mat for the dog to sleep on inside the kennel. Your dog might even have its own bed to toss on the floor.

Taking a blanket or sheet to put on hotel beds and furniture will help keep them clean, and don’t forget towels; I can never have enough grubby towels for the dogs, especially when it’s wet and muddy outside.

DON’T FORGET FOOD and water bowls. I’ve covered a lot of ground this

The list may be longer than you expect, but be sure to have all the gear your gun dog may need when embarking upon any hunt this season. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

year with my dogs, and have fallen in love with Yeti’s new Boomer 8 Bowl. The stainless steel bowl is the most durable I’ve ever used; ideal for rugged road travel and abuse. The nonslip bottom is perfect, and the bowl easily cleans up. It’s also a nice bowl for water and it keeps it cool. I actually take a five-gallon jug of water for my dogs on road trips, so

they can drink whenever we stop.

When traveling with dog food, keep it in the original bag (this should also be done at home). Dumping food into metal or plastic bins can lead to quick spoilage. Instead, close the bag, then put it into a bin for travel. Companies invest a lot of time and money creating the perfect bag to keep dog food fresh, so trust and use them.

If you’re a fan of treats, freezedried foods for the field, along with raw or canned foods that can be used as toppers, are great choices for the road. Freeze-dried foods don’t leave oil in your pockets and are a great protein source, while food toppers offer a fun, healthy change for your dog’s diet. Large cow bones, gambrel tendons and bully sticks are good to bring on road trips, too. You don’t want your dog’s diet to be boring on the road or at home.

Should your dog have a favorite toy, bring it. Yes, it’s OK for a hunting dog to like toys. My 8-year-old pudelpointer Echo’s favorite toy is actually a plastic lid from a paint bucket. Kona – my 3-year-old pudelpointer – prefers a soft rubber frisbee. Both dogs love bumpers, but these are training tools, not for play. Yes, bring those bumpers along for short training sessions, which

Upland bird hunts throughout the West can take place in big, rugged country, and being prepared is important for you and your dog’s safety. Here, author Scott Haugen’s dog Echo brings in a blue grouse that fell in a deep canyon in the Cascade Range. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

are great to engage your dog in while on the road.

IF YOU HAVE a selection of leashes and collars for your dog, bring them. I have a short, 1-foot-long leash I like using when walking in populated areas and around other dogs where immediate obedience is a must, a 3-foot-long leash I use in small areas, and an 8-foot-long leash I prefer using in big, open areas where I can give the dog a bit more freedom while still maintaining control.

It’s a good idea to bring an extra

On this hunt, Haugen and Echo encountered a porcupine, loads of grass seed, thistles and cacti, but being prepared to deal with each resulted in an opening-day mixedbag limit of ducks, valley quail and pheasants. (SCOTT HAUGEN)

collar along in case something happens to one. I like collars with a built-in reflective strip so I can see them in the dark with my flashlight beam. I have my collars customengraved with Reward, along with three phone numbers: my cell, my wife’s cell and my home phone number. I will not engrave my dog’s name on any collar, as I don’t want someone picking them up and knowing their name. I want that person to call me so I can get my dog back and pay them for their efforts.

Finally, don’t forget dog vests, your e-collar, remote control and charger, along with a hair brush and nail clippers. Nail clippers are great for trimming splitting nails, while a brush might be used daily to remove noxious seeds.

WHEN YOU LOOK at this list, it’s longer than you may have expected, which shows the importance of being organized so you don’t forget something. Your dog is your hunting partner and they need you to look after them and make sure they have everything they need when you both hit the road this hunting season. CS

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