The Best Colour for Your Gundog Training Dummy: A Guide

man walking with gundog holding a coloured dummy

Choosing the right training dummy for your gundog can significantly impact your training sessions. One key factor to consider is the colour of the dummy.

While personal preference plays a role, certain colours can offer distinct advantages.

Why Colour Matters

  • Visibility: A brightly coloured dummy is easier to spot, especially in low-light conditions or when training in dense vegetation.
  • Distraction: Some dogs may become distracted by certain colours. If your dog seems particularly drawn to a specific hue, you might want to avoid it.
  • Personal Preference: Ultimately, the best colour is the one you and your dog prefer. Experiment with different colours to see what works best for your training sessions.

Dog Colour Perception

Dogs have dichromatic vision, meaning they can only see two primary colours: blue and yellow.

This means they struggle to differentiate between red, green, and orange. However, they can perceive shades of blue and yellow quite well.

Popular Colour Choices

  • Orange: A classic choice due to its high visibility, even for dogs with dichromatic vision.
  • Yellow: Another bright colour that is easy to spot in various lighting conditions.
  • Green: While dogs may not perceive green as distinctly as humans, it can still be a good option, especially in grassy areas.
  • Purple: A unique choice that may help your dog differentiate it from other objects, although dogs may see it as a shade of blue.

Tips for Choosing the Right Colour

  • Consider your dog’s individual preferences: Some dogs may have a natural preference for certain colours. Experiment to see what works best.
  • Prioritize visibility: In most cases, a bright colour like orange or yellow is the best choice for maximum visibility.
  • Avoid colours that might cause confusion: If your dog struggles to differentiate between certain colours, avoid using them for your training dummy.

By carefully selecting the colour of your training dummy, you can enhance your training sessions and help your gundog reach its full potential.

Remember, the best colour is the one that works best for you and your dog.