Bumpers

[D Duck]

OK, I need to buy a bunch of bumpers to get ready for "pile" work/drills. What does everyone recommend - plastic or canvas? 2" or 3"? White, Black and White or Orange? Decisions, decisions....

I am thinking about getting a doz. white plastic to start, but not sure on the size.

[Gaddy1]

OK, I need to buy a bunch of bumpers to get ready for "pile" work/drills. What does everyone recommend - plastic or canvas? 2" or 3"? White, Black and White or Orange? Decisions, decisions....

I am thinking about getting a doz. white plastic to start, but not sure on the size.

I don't think color matters for forcing to a pile, I use some oversized as well, and stick with plastic. On marks I like white, white/black with an orange mixed in every now and then.

[zach raulie]

Color is important for a 1st time pup at this, and if it were my pup they would be white and glowing as bright as possible....sometimes I will put out a white 5 gal bucket behind the pile just so the pup knows what to focus on every time....I don't prefer canvas too much, they are fine, but over time I think whites hold up the best; easier to clean and more durable.

www.lcsupply.com typically has good prices as well as www.dogsafield.com

Pile work, at first, is all about having pup focus on the pile, listening to your comnmands and proper lining. I want my pup to see that pile!

Good Luck b!

[hunt-chessies]

Not that you need my opinion but i agree with zach..... plastic and white all the way!!! nothing wrong with the rest but as was said pile work is about focus and that give the best posible target to lock in on.... and will work well for marks later on as well as "T" drills, wagon wheels, 3 legs, ect ect ect

[D Duck]

Thanks for the responses - now, how about size? Do you prefer 2" or 3" or a mix?

[Silver Pigeon]

I have mixture of white and orange bumpers that I use. I prefer the 2" bumpers, but I have both and use them both. I have found that the 2" bumpers help the dog breathe a little bit better, especially during your water work where dogs are prone to swallow a lot of water on a long retrieve. When it gets cooler I will start breaking out the 3" just to shake it up.

Plastic all the way!

[hunt-chessies]

I use pretty much all 2's because they are cheaper!! LOL 3's are great for letting the dog see it better but it's such a small amount of time where that is actually any value. If ya got money to burn then it really won't hurt ya but 2's are just fine IMHO....

[Capt HiC]

2s , Plastic , White and I agree with the bucket drill

Capt. Hiram

[Reddfin]

I use a bunch of blk/wht bumpers too. They have good contrast when they are in the air and frankly look kind of like a duck when falling. Mostly the 3: but I do have a couple of 3" as well. The 3" ar egood for long water retrieves for young dogs since they float a little higher.
The best kept secret in bumpers is EZ Rotatinal. You can buy them direct. Great bumpers and better prices than anyone elses. LAst time OI bought them they were 2" @ $2.75ea and 3" @ 3.75ea. Pete is a great guy to deal with.
Pete Zalewski'
847-806-1327
pioz1@aol.com