Originally Posted by
Doc E
It sounds like you are using a TRAINING dummy (bumper) as a chew toy -- am I correct ?
This is a BIG NO-NO ! !
Doing normal retrieves with the bumper you describe should never be chewed on -- during training or after (as a toy).
There are training aids (bumpers) and there are chew toys -- and never the twain shall meet.
The best chew toy (NOT used for training) is probably the KONG.
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I do use them as a toy because my dogs are not trained to hunt waterfowl. I take my dogs to the lake quite often and just play fetch with them in the water. I had the intentions of training our chocolate lab pup when he got him, but I never did. he just turned three. I don't have anywhere to hunt waterfowl and don't really know anybody to help me get into the sport.