What's the wisdom on hard dummies for hard mouths?

Yukon Mike

Yukon Mike

Well-known member
I've just about given up on finding a bumper that won't be damaged from sub zero temp use. There must be one out there, but I'm done wasting money. Three of the six Cabela's ones I got in the spring are totalled. One hard landing and they split like Oprah's skinny jeans. They were the replacement for the Lucky Dog ones that all split at the valve. The only good bumpers I have are the ones that are 15 yrs old.

Lately I've been using a couple of chunks of black ABS sewer pipe as bumpers, but given the amount of work I've put into this dog with hard mouth tendencies I'm wondering if I'm going in a wrong direction or not? She'll mouth the heck out of a canvas bumper and punch her teeth through it on her way back in, so that's why I use the pipe. Its frozen so if she's biting it hard I can't tell.

She doesn't mung birds bad, but I did find some tooth holes in a few this season. Especially the fat ones that I'd rather pluck than breast out.

I know there is no magic trick in extinguishing hard mouth, I'm just wondering if I'm headed in a good direction or not.


Mike
 
Mike I searched around a little,and came up with a 3" six sided dummy that Avery makes that has raised V notches down each flat side,for about $8.I guess all the rubber/vinyl
ones freeze and crack in your tropical climate,so they may not work.I would try making a buck,out of round closet pole stock,put a block of wood on each end,overall about 10-12 inches.I would drill and tight fit 8d nails through the barrel so that they stick out 1/2"(test),pointed on each end(dulled slightly).If he carries it,he'll be careful.If not,dull the nails till you see signs of him chewing the wood,then sharpen them up again.Same idea as the harness with spikes they put on Quail.Good luck.
 
Don't know what to tell ya about your shattering bumper problem. I do know that if you have a mouthing problem with your pup a softer bumper will only make it worse. Having said that you may be able to use a softer bumper when it's colder (I assumed that is why they shattered) and see for yourself.
Good Luck John
 
Mike,

You might try getting some foam bumbers from Armadillo Foam. There website is something like ArmadilloFoam.com. I bought one of their foam ducks, the Midi, and they sent a seconds bumper along for free. I was a little skeptical about a foam bumber but I like it. It's black and white for better visibility in most conditions. I really like the Midi duck. It is also black and white and small enough you can pitch it pretty far. Visibility in the air is better than a bumper. And, it excites the dog more than a bumper.

They won't do anything for hard mouth but I doubt they will crack on you.

Tom
 
Thanks for the advice guys. I thought about those Avery ones, but like you said, they all freeze eventually.

Thanks for the link, I'll check that out.

I looked the Armadillo bumpers and they look ok. I might get a couple in the spring. For now I guess I'll use the plastic pipe.

Thanks again guys, I appreciate it.

Mike
 
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