More than likely you have been Christmas shopping for at least several weeks now and should be coming to the end. Before you finish up for the year, make sure your faithful hunting partner is on the list. As a sort of “K9 Santa Clause”, I have been taking the request of labradors around the country. According to our dogs, here are the top 5 gifts for your Labrador.
1) Invisilab Gen 2 Dog blind.
This MoMarsh Dog Blind a great dog stand and will make every hunting dog happier and healthier. Not only does this blind help conceal your dogs movement from the wary eye of a duck, it more importantly keeps your dog dry and out of the cold water. Remember that extended time in cold water can drop your dogs core temperature and lead to hypothermia or even death. This blind will be well worth the money spent and should last for years to come.
2) Neoprene dog vest.
There are several great ones on the market to choose from. One of my person favorites is the Browning Camo Neoprene Dog Vest. These vests keep your dog warm, add flotation to make swimming easier, and just look cool. Many models come with a handle that will help you to load your dog or assist on entering the boat after a tiring retrieve. Be sure to measure your dog before purchase. My Lab wears a large.
3) Dokken Dead Fowl Trainer
This is a great training aid and dogs really seem to love them. This must have duck training tool will help teach a dog how to hold a bird properly and discourage shaking a bird. Through the years I have noticed that some dogs will fetch these when they won’t fetch anything else. The various designs range from dove, teal, pheasant, mallard, diver duck, and pintail all the way up to a Canada Goose.
4) Carhartt Padded Dog Bed
This is a great padded dog bed and it is super durable. The bed is made from the same duck cotton that your Carhartt jacket is made from. The beds’ polyester/nylon cushion is removable which allows you to wash the outer cover to keep it soft and clean. Remember that after a long day chasing your ducks, your hunting partner needs a place to rest his weary bones. This bed is just what the doctor ordered!
5) Personalized dog collar
Nothing says a dog belongs to someone who cares quiet like a personalized dog collar. In the event that your dog wanders away from your property as dogs do, it is nice for everyone to know he belongs to a family. There are several collars available on the market today with various identification labels. My preferred collar for duck dogs is the K9 comfort reflective dog collar. This collar is made from a product called trans-flex and is virtually maintenance free. If it gets dirty you can simply wipe it off. Where as most cloth and leather collars hold odor, this one remains virtually scent free. The reflective properties help keep your dogs safe from cars and make them easier to spot at night with a flashlight. The name plate is securely attached and has room for all of your contact information.
I hope this list helps you with your last minute shopping for your K9 companion this year. Remember as you celebrate Christmas that the greatest gift of all is the Gift of eternal life made available through Jesus Christ. The baby in the manger grew up and gave His life for you! This is reason to rejoice. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!