Hunting Dog Gear Checklist

Even the best hunting dog breeds need high-quality gear to safely and effectively do their job on the hunting grounds. After all, don’t you want to deck yourself out with essential hunting gear to have success in the field? Your four-legged friend deserves the same, which is why we wrote this guide to help you know what hunting dog gear you need to buy to protect your pooch and provide them with the right equipment to assist you during a hunt.

What Do Hunting Dogs Wear?

Hunting dogs need the same weather protection, visibility, and camouflage you do, depending on the season and type of hunting. Many aspects of human hunting clothes are featured in dog hunting apparel, so we’ll break down all the necessities your hunting dog needs to feel comfortable and ready to fetch waterfowl, chase a fox, or anything else you need.

Hunting Dog Vests

A dog hunting vest is a vital piece of hunting apparel for your canine. Hunting vests for dogs are sometimes referred to as skid plates, which protect the dog’s chest and other vulnerable areas from sticks, cold weather, and other environmental hazards.

These dog vests are usually made from neoprene or similar materials that provide maximum durability without hindering movement. Plus, they offer excellent insulation for cold climates and are available in a variety of camo patterns, including several that suit upland hunting.

Hunting Dog Collars

Dog collars are another essential piece of hunting equipment to consider. While a leather dog collar looks great and may work for seasoned hunting dogs, they don’t offer much in terms of protection or visibility.

If you feel the need to wear a blaze orange hunting vest, your dog deserves the same safety on the hunting grounds. Blaze orange dog collars offer high visibility, which helps you easily locate your dog in the marsh while providing other hunters with the same visual feedback.

A GPS dog collar, or E-collar, is an excellent choice for training new hunting pups. Dog training collars can emit beeps, pulses, and other signals to your dog to help them know if they’re on the right track or not. Dog tracking collars are also incredibly useful if you let them roam to follow scents, ensuring you find them quickly and always know their whereabouts. Some brands like Garmin dog collars even let you track up to 20+ dogs, which is perfect for those with a lot of furry friends and plenty of acres.

What’s more, some GPS dog collars track your canine’s hunting habits so that you can learn more about their behavior and patterns to provide course correction, if needed. A lot of these E-collars come in standard colors like black, but there are plenty of blaze orange and camo pattern replacements available that will work with the original unit.

Hunting Dog Training Toys

If you’re trying to train a new hunting dog, bumper dog toys are an excellent choice. They are shaped like the necks of ducks, pheasants, and other game birds, with some even being weighted to provide a more realistic experience. This helps simulate waterfowl retrieval and teaches dogs how to properly grip game in their mouths. Bumper training toys also work well with hunting scents, so you can spray them down and train their sniffers to pick up the right scent.

Dummy launchers are another great training tool for hunting dogs. Like bumper toys, they hold scents well and are shaped like waterfowl they’ll be retrieving. What’s neat is some dummy launchers, like the ones from DT Systems, create a realistic "bang" that simulates a gunshot, providing true Pavlov’s Dog classical conditioning.

Other Hunting Dog Essentials

Hydrating your hunting dog is important, and we sell several water bowls, including retractable dog bowls for compact carry. You should also pamper your pooch after a job well done with a nice place to rest after a hard day’s work. Brands like Winchester Pet offer comfortable washable dog beds so that they can sleep like the kings (and queens) they are.

First aid kits & medical supplies are important for all members of a hunting pack. OpticsPlanet carries dog wound gel and balms to treat cracked, dry paws, along with other essential first aid supplies in case of emergencies.

If you’re traveling, dog carriers and portable kennels are a must for most dogs, and we offer several options in different sizes to suit your hunting dog breed. With plenty of ventilation and weather protection, you can keep them safe and dry while on the road.

Sit, Stay & Stock up on Dog Hunting Gear

With this dog hunting gear checklist in mind, you should know everything your dog needs to stay safe and have a successful hunt. Make sure to stop by our online hunting store to grab great deals on ammo, game calls, decoys, and other essential hunting gear for any time of year. Also, check out all our Hunting Gear Guides for tips & tricks that will help you fill your freezer faster. Remember to stay safe, have a happy hunt, and give your dog a little pet from me – they deserve it.