Intro
If there is one tool that is absolutely essential to training a gundog, particularly of the retrieving sort, it has to be the bumper/dummy. Dummies are an invaluable tool, especially because it is not always practical to train with frozen game. Like anything else in the world there is a huge assortment of dummies on the market ranging in not only price, but also in the materials used to make them. Below I will cover the main types of dummies that are used by gundog trainers.
Most Abundant
The first and most popular type of dummy in the U.S. is the plastic dummy. These dummies vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they tend to share the same characteristics. They are made of a hard plastic, are typically hollow in the center, and have some type of textured surface to help a dog better grip the dummy when wet. When choosing any dummy, always remember that the denser the dummy, i.e. having a less hollow center, the heavier the dummy will be, which in turn increases your ability to throw it. Not all plastic dummies are created equal in this sense and there are a number of brands/models that I would highly suggest avoiding if you decide plastic is for you. Finally they typically come in 2 different sizes (2” and 3”) and while most follow a similar shape, there are some specialized designs that can be found in the market.
Going All Natural
The next major type of dummy is the canvas/fire hose dummy. These are made of a softer material and are generally viewed as being “more realistic” to the feel of a real bird from the dog’s perspective. These dummies can be used on both land and water, but truly excel on land. An added benefit of these dummies is that you can effectively add game scent to them and they will in turn hold that scent better than a plastic dummy will. The only major downside to these dummies revolves around dirt and overuse. White canvas dummies tend to get dirty very easily, particularly if you are using them in the water. If you are solely using these dummies for marking with a younger dog, it is best to keep them clean so that they provide the contrast for the dog as the white dummies are intended to do (read more about how your dog sees colors here).
Keeping It Real
The final type of dummy is what many consider to be the holy grail of dummies, the Dokken style dummy. These dummies have it all. They have the look of real birds, a closer feel to real birds, the shape of real birds and are great for both water and land use. They hold scent better than plastic dummies and they excel at teaching a dog how to properly hold and carry a bird, due to their anatomical correctness. Because these dummies are modeled after real birds, their sizes vary, which allows you to get your dog comfortable picking up different sized birds. You can typically find these dummies ranging in size from that of a quail all the way up to a big Canada goose. Depending on how much use these dummies see, the only downside I have found is that they are not as durable as the two aforementioned types.
Recap
As you can tell there are plenty of options out there and typically the best approach is to have an assortment of each type of dummy. Plastic dummies, because of their cheaper price, are great when working any type of drill where you need more numbers (think pile work), while Dokkens and canvas/fire hose dummies should be used to help develop better mouth manners. Don’t sleep on the use of frozen birds either. Try to keep a bird or two in your freezer to help bring your training full circle and continue to nurture good mouth manners from your dog even when feathers get involved. No matter the dummy you choose, if you stay consistent and work with your dog, you will see it develop into a great retriever in no time.
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