Dog Days of Summer

Summer is almost upon us; can fall be far behind? It’s time to plan and prepare for the hunting season. I, for example, need to confirm dates for that South Dakota pheasant trip and write them on the family calendar before my wife fills in the space. I should start the evening stroll regimen to get the old legs in shape. And it’s time to work the retriever and the pointing dogs, too. New training aids and other hunting-dog accessories can help. Read on.

Bitter Creek Hunter Series Dog Boxes
Quail hunting with pointers is serious business in Texas and Oklahoma, which is perhaps the reason those states are home to companies that make high-end dog trailers and portable kennels. The newest manufacturer is Bitter Creek Hunting Blinds & Dog Boxes, in Tuttle, Oklahoma. Owner Forrest Shifflett, who has 15 years’ experience making aluminum horse trailers, started Bitter Creek just three years ago. “I saw a market for heavy-duty, lightweight dog boxes and decided to jump in,” he said. “Leap in” is more like it. Shifflett makes small, medium and large one-, two- and three-dog boxes in both Hunter and Pro series with so many options and accessories that the majority of the direct orders could rightly be called “custom.”
    Most metal dog boxes are made from flat-sheet aluminum that is bent and welded. Bitter Creek builds a structural welded frame with rounded corners from extruded aluminum, and then bonds a thin aluminum skin to it. The result is a strong, durable box that is relatively lightweight. For example, the two-dog Large model (46" [w] x 46" [d] x 26" [h]) weighs 110 pounds. The two-dog Medium box (46" [w] x 36” [d] x 24” [h]) weighs about 100 pounds. All Bitter Creek products feature stainless-steel handles, full-length door hinges for strength, and keyed T-handle door locks for security. Plexiglas panels (6" x 10") on each side permit adjustable ventilation. Airflow within the two- and three-dog models occurs through the tops of welded compartment dividers.
    Options include bottom storage drawers with keyed locks, cargo racks and aluminum skin panels that come in smooth, bright-diamond plate or Mossy Oak Brush camo. Most popular among bird hunters is the Medium 2-Dog Model, which costs $650 in smooth aluminum or diamond plate. Add $50 if you want camo and another $200 for the top storage rack.
Although bird hunters favor the Hunter Series, waterfowlers and field-trialers like the upscale Pro Series. Additional standard features in the Pro Series include a full inch of insulation and an inside liner of stainless steel plus a cargo rack, storage drawer with carpet, and louvered doors and side vents. The center partition allows cross ventilation. Price for the Medium 2-Dog Model is $1,800.
    Bitter Creek also makes several dog trailers. The Cadillac of the line is the 10-dog Hunting Trailer with eight storage compartments, a 42-gallon water tank with hose-down kit, a pair of three-speed fans and three halogen load lights. All compartments are lighted, and there are 14 feet of rear ATV storage space. Price: $18,500.
    Bitter Creek Hunting Blinds & Dog Boxes, Inc., 405-659-7688; www.bittercreekhunting.com.

Remington No Bark Training Collar
Thanks to the newest member of our family—a young yellow Lab named Butterscotch who loves to bark—I’ve been testing products that teach her the error of her ways. The latest device is the Remington No Bark Training Collar, which relies on new technology to avoid false correction from outside noises, such as other dogs barking nearby. In fact, both a sound sensor and a vibration sensor must kick in together before the collar reacts. Pavlov would have loved how it works. First comes the warning tone, followed by mild stimulation if the dog continues barking. The stimulation increases in intensity until the dog stops. Thus, the dog trains itself to stop nuisance barking.
    Like other Coastal Pet Products (the company is officially licensed to use the Remington trademark and name), this one is an excellent value at only $79.99. Further, it’s simple to operate, thanks to an easy-to-understand instructional booklet. The receiver/transmitter unit attaches to the dog’s neck with a 26" plastic collar. An on/off magnet (attached to a key ring, so you won’t lose it) allows a default setting in either fixed mode or elevating mode. In fixed mode you can program the stimulation to deliver one of eight levels of intensity. The minimum time between impulses is five seconds; the maximum number of stimulations that can occur is eight. After that the unit times out for two minutes and goes into standby mode.
    I prefer the elevating mode, because it uses that initial warning tone and my dog made a fast association between barking and the ensuing stimulation. By the second day, for example, she knew all about the warning tone that followed the first bark. She also knew what would happen if she didn’t stop. When used eight hours per day, the three-volt lithium battery (included) will last up to three years. Another reason to consider buying the No Bark Collar: It’s durable and waterproof.
    Coastal Pet Products, Inc., 800-321-0248; www.remingtonsportingdog.com.

Tri-Tronics Sport Junior E-Collar
Imagine yourself a first-time cell phone buyer. Where to begin? Every week, it seems, the smart-phone manufacturers try to outdo each other with the latest gee-whiz technology. It’s no different with the makers of e-collars. The market is suddenly rife with new products, most of which are cool and eminently useful. However, if you are a new user with a young dog to train, how sophisticated should your choice be? How many bells and whistles do you need? Tri-Tronics has just come out with its Sport Junior Dog Training System. It packs Tri-Tronics’ product experience and reliability into a simplified training tool aimed for the entry-level user. At only $169 with batteries included, it’s a good deal, too.
    The tiny waterproof receiver that goes around the dog’s neck weighs less than 3 oz with battery included. Thanks to the 27"-long collar, it will fit any hunting dog. The transmitter is small, light (4.6 oz with battery) and ergonomically designed for one-hand operation. A knurled dial allows for seven levels of intensity. Push one button for continuous stimulation or a second button for momentary (nick) stimulation. Range is a quarter-mile. There’s a battery-life indicator for both the receiver (3-volt lithium) and transmitter (9-volt alkaline). The former should last for months, the latter for about 250 hours. This same indicator button activates a safety collar light that helps you find your dog in the dark. The Sport Junior is as basic as a modern e-collar can be: There are no charging units to plug in, no magnets to activate, no antennae to adjust, and no space-launch control panel to figure out.
    Tri-Tronics wisely includes both an instructional DVD and a shirt-pocket guide. The aids take first-time users through training the “Here,” “Heel,” “Sit,” “Whoa” and “Down” commands. An owner’s manual and lanyard for the transmitter also come with the kit.
    Tri-Tronics, Inc., 800-456-4343; www.tritronics.com.

SHOT Shorts
What was new at this past January’s SHOT Show, in Las Vegas? In a word: plenty. SSM’s editors combed the floor and came up with the following for readers who own hunting dogs. Note: We have yet to field test any of these products, many of which were prototypes and not available at press time. They should, however, come to market this summer and be ready for the field by fall.

Heritage Kennel Jacket from Classic Accessories
If you live in the northern US or hunt there in the late season, you’ll appreciate having a warm cover for your portable dog kennels. Classic Accessories has added an insulated Kennel Jacket to its Heritage line of upscale dog products. UV-resistant fabric in the medium ($99.99), large ($129.99) and extra-large ($199.99) jackets is 600-denier polyester treated with a double coating of water-resistant polyurethane on the backside. Insulation is 100-gram Polyfil. The covers are a handsome loden green on the outside and dark brown and plaid on the inside. They appear to be well built and of lasting quality (the reason the manufacturer offers a two-year warranty).
    There are two big zippered pockets on each side, a water-bottle pocket in each corner, and a nifty back-panel stash pocket. Inside the adjustable stash pocket is a zippered pouch for storing dog food. A gusset panel in one corner of the handy pouch acts as a pour spout and doesn’t interfere with the zipper. Side window flaps snap at the bottom when closed and stay in place with magnets atop the kennel when rolled up. Grab handles on top aid in loading/unloading.
    Classic Accessories, 800-854-2315; www.classicaccessories.com.

SportHunter 1225 from SportDOG
A new e-collar from SportDOG appears to solve weight and size shortcomings endemic to the product category. The SportHunter 1225 receiver and transmitter weigh just 4.3 oz each with batteries installed. The units are also small, with the transmitter checking in at 7" long (including antenna) and only 2" wide. The receiver is only about 3" long and 1H" wide. Further, the collar strap tucks inside the receiver, eliminating edges and allowing a more comfortable fit for your dog.
    There’s more to like. The 1225 is waterproof, recharges in only two hours, has a three-quarters of a mile range, and is expandable to three dogs (if you buy additional receivers). The transmitter fits nicely in the hand and offers a choice of vibration (ideal for positive training or communicating with a deaf dog) or stimulation, the latter of which can be momentary or continuous. You can set the stimulation range at the receiver to low, medium or high. Then thumb the receiver roller wheel to select one of eight levels of stimulation. You may not need all of these settings for one dog, but if running a brace or even three dogs, the options are great. I also like the warning-tone feature and low-battery alert as well as the price: $239.95 (including receiver collar strap, charging cradle and lithium-ion batteries).
    SportDOG Brand, 800-732-0144; www.sportdog.com.

Dogtra Surestim 7000 Series E-Collars
With its new Surestim 7000 series, Dogtra may have solved another issue that has long confronted hunting-dog trainers and owners: Is the “message” I’m trying to send actually being transmitted? Now you know for sure, thanks to vibration feedback to the transmitter in your hand. You can feel this vibration even when wearing gloves.
    The Model 7100 relies on a rheostat intensity-control knob to provide low- to high-power stimulation for dogs weighing more than 20 pounds (the Model 7000 is for beagles and other small dogs). The range of intensity is zero to 127, and the level chosen appears on an LCD screen that is easy to see in low light and even after dark. Handlers also can choose between “nick” (single-pulse) and constant (to 12 seconds or until you release the button) stimulation. A three-bar battery-power alert (think cell phone) is included. Another nice feature is a pager button that sends a non-stimulating vibration, which is all a trained dog may need to self-correct an unwanted behavior; or use it as an “extended” pat to reward a positive behavior. The Model 7100 ($264.99) has a range of a half-mile. With rechargeable Ni-MH batteries installed, the waterproof transmitter and receiver weigh 4.8 oz and 8 oz. The price includes batteries, a battery charger and a receiver strap collar.
    If you run two dogs, consider the Model 7102, which uses a different transmitter and comes with two collar receivers. It sells for $404.99.
    Dogtra, 888-811-9111; www.dogtra.com.

D.T. Systems H20 1800 PLUS Series
The D.T. Systems H20 1800 PLUS series takes the original H20 1800 line to a new level of do-it-all e-collars. All four PLUS models feature waterproof transmitters and receivers and rechargeable Ni-MH batteries. Expandable to two or three dogs (with add-on collars), they have a one-mile range and provide nick or constant stimulation (eight-second timeout) to 16 levels each. Attention duck hunters: The transmitter comes with a soft-grip rubber coating and actually floats. The entry-level H20 PLUS sells for $239.99. With batteries installed, the transmitter weighs about 7 oz; the receiver weighs about 4 oz.
    You can step up from there. The Model 1820 ($279.99) adds positive vibration, as well as vibration followed by stimulation one second later. New features on the Model 1830 ($309.99) include Jump and Rise stimulation. You can pre-program a second intensity level and go to it with the Jump button (ideal for correcting deer or car chasing, for example); or gradually increase the intensity by pushing the Rise button. Release the buttons and the unit returns to its original setting.
    You can add a beeper with the Model 1850 ($349.99). Audible to 450 yards, the beeper has Locate, Run and Point, and Point Only settings. Add-on collar/receivers are $99.99 each ($149.99 for the Model 1850 with beeper) and come in black, fluorescent green and hunter orange. Prices include batteries, a charger and a receiver collar strap.
    D.T. Systems, Inc., 214-350-9446; www.dtsystems.com.

Mud River Shotgun Mat
Mud River Dog Products keeps adding to its line of superior offerings to make the jobs of transporting, training and caring for hunting dogs easier. Along the way you can pamper your favorite pooch, too, especially with the new Shotgun Mat, a protective cover for the passenger seat of your car, truck or SUV. The utility mat has two sides—canvas and 410-denier nylon—that sandwich MicroLite 2 insulation.
    The Shotgun is a generous 67H" (l) x 32H" (w). Two nylon straps located on top adjust by tension and secure the mat with plastic clip buckles to the headrest. If your dog has muddy paws, simply spray or wipe the mat clean with water and lay it out to dry. Price: $55.
    Mud River Dog Products, 479-927-2447; www.mudriverdogproducts.com.

Retrieve Health Tri-Nutrition Bars
Remember the way your bird dog sulked when you unwrapped that Snickers bar and didn’t share because chocolate is a no-no for canines? Next time pack some Tri-Nutrition bars for your buddy. Retrieve Health, has added the quick-energy snacks to its list of products for dog nutrition and health. Marketed through Mendota Products, Tri-Nutrition bars provide quick protein in the form of highly digestible whey to help working dogs maintain muscle mass. Energy comes from carbohydrates and fats derived from organic agave syrup and organic peanut butter. These, too, dissolve quickly in a dog’s mouth to boost energy levels fast. The gluten-free nutritional bars also contain pharmaceutical-grade vitamins and minerals along with 250 milligrams of glucosamine to ease and prevent soreness in joints, cartilage and tissue.
    A four-bar package costs $11.99. If you forget to pack a candy bar for yourself, eat a Tri-Nutrition Bar. They taste good—and your dog won’t mind.
    Mendota Products, Inc., 800-224-1121; www.mendotaproducts.com.