The Dog & Field Puppy Dummy is a lightweight 100g canvas retrieve created for the earliest stages of gundog training. Its compact size, soft filling and puppy-friendly weight help young dogs learn to pick up, carry and return a dummy correctly without being overwhelmed by a full-size retrieve. Supplied with both short and long detachable throwing toggles and available in eight colours, it is a practical first dummy for building confident, enthusiastic retrieves.
Why We Recommend It
We recommend this as a genuinely useful first dummy rather than a scaled-down novelty. At 100g it is light enough for a young dog to carry comfortably, but it still introduces the shape and feel of a proper canvas training dummy. The choice of short or long throwing toggle lets the exercise develop with the puppy, while eight colours give handlers useful options for visible marked retrieves and more challenging searches. At £5.99, it also sits £1 below the current £6.99 RRP.
Key Benefits
Lightweight 100g design suits smaller, younger mouths
Soft filling encourages a comfortable, confident hold
Durable canvas construction for regular introductory training
Compact shape helps puppies learn to carry the body of the dummy rather than the toggle
Both short and long detachable throwing toggles are included
Eight colours allow handlers to vary visibility and training difficulty
“Every great retriever starts with one small dummy and a human clever enough to stop while the game is still fun. This one is light enough for little mouths, comes in colours even humans can find, and has proper toggles for when those first tiny throws become rather more ambitious.” — Bailey 🐾
Perfect For
Puppies beginning their first retrieve exercises
Young dogs learning to pick up and carry correctly
Short, positive training sessions in the garden or field
Handlers introducing canvas dummies before progressing to heavier retrieves
Building confidence, enthusiasm and a clean return from an early age
Specifications
Brand: Dog & Field | Product: Puppy Dummy | Weight: 100g | Outer material: durable canvas | Filling: soft filling | Colours: Blue, Green, Lime Green, Orange, Purple, Red, White and Yellow | Toggles: short and long detachable throwing toggles included | Intended use: early retrieve training for puppies and young dogs
How To Use
Begin in a quiet, enclosed area with very few distractions.
Let the puppy see and briefly investigate the dummy, then build interest with gentle movement.
Make a short throw and encourage the puppy to pick up and return.
Praise the return and exchange the dummy calmly for a treat or another reward; do not chase the puppy.
Keep the first sessions to only a few successful retrieves and finish while enthusiasm is still high.
Remove and store the dummy after training. Do not leave it with the dog as a chew toy.
Care Guide
Brush off loose mud and wipe the canvas clean after use.
Allow the dummy to air dry naturally before storage.
Do not place it on direct heat or store it while damp.
Check the canvas, seams and throwing toggles regularly for wear.
Retire the dummy if the outer material or filling becomes damaged.
Professional Insight
The first retrieve dummy should build confidence rather than test endurance. Keep the distance short, use only a handful of repetitions and avoid taking the dummy from the puppy too quickly. Encourage a complete pick-up around the body of the dummy and reward the return generously. At this stage, enthusiasm and a clean delivery are far more important than distance.
Training Academy Tip 💡
With a young puppy, stop after two or three good retrieves — especially when you feel tempted to do one more. Finishing while the puppy still wants the dummy preserves enthusiasm and makes the next session easier. If the puppy runs off with it, shorten the distance and make yourself the most rewarding place to return to.
ProTrain Principle
Build enthusiasm first: short, successful retrieves create confident young dogs.
Complete Your Setup
- High-value puppy training treats — reward the return and calm delivery
- Dog whistle with lanyard — begin building a consistent recall cue
- Lightweight puppy slip lead — useful for calm transitions before and after training
- Training scent — introduce only later, once confident visual retrieves are established
- Dummy bag — keeps training equipment clean, dry and ready to use
Dog & Field Puppy Dummy for introductory gundog retrieve training. Lightweight 100g dummy with durable canvas outer, soft filling and both short and long detachable throwing toggles. Available in Blue, Green, Lime Green, Orange, Purple, Red, White and Yellow. Designed for supervised use with puppies and young dogs learning to pick up, carry and return a training dummy. Retail price £5.99.
FAQs
What age can my puppy start using this dummy? Begin only when your puppy is ready for short, playful retrieves and can comfortably carry the dummy. Keep sessions brief and positive rather than repetitive.
How heavy is it? The dummy weighs 100g, making it suitable for the early stages of retrieve training.
Does it include a throwing toggle? Yes. Both short and long detachable throwing toggles are supplied.
Which colours are available? Blue, Green, Lime Green, Orange, Purple, Red, White and Yellow.
Is it a chew toy? No. It is a supervised training aid and should be removed after each session.
How should I choose a colour? Brighter colours are easier for the handler to see, while colours that blend into the ground can make later searches more challenging.
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