Training Dummies

Get your retriever to peak performance in the off season with these bumpers, canvas, and launcher products.

Dog training dummies and bumpers — building a reliable retrieve from day one

Retrieving dummies are the foundation of retriever training. They let you run repetition after repetition — building drive, marking ability, and a soft mouth — without burning through birds or hauling live game into every session. A dog that’s made a thousand retrieves on a good dummy is a dog that knows its job before opening day.

We carry SportDOG plastic knobby dummies and canvas dummies in puppy, regular, and jumbo sizes, plus the DT Systems Feather-Weight Launcher Dummy for use with dummy launchers. Whether you’re starting a young retriever on short backyard tosses or running longer marks and blinds with a launcher setup, the right dummy makes the difference between a productive session and a frustrating one.

Plastic vs. canvas dummies — which do you need?

The two most common training dummy materials serve different purposes, and most serious trainers keep both on hand.

Plastic knobby dummies are the workhorses of retriever training. They’re durable, easy to see in the field, and built to take thousands of throws without wearing out. The knobby texture gives dogs a comfortable grip and discourages hard mouthing. The valve on each dummy lets you add water to adjust buoyancy — float them high for easy water retrieves, or sink them slightly for more advanced marking drills. SportDOG plastic dummies come in regular (2" x 12") and jumbo (3" x 12") sizes, in orange, white, and black-and-white. Orange is the go-to for upland work and high-visibility throws; black-and-white stands out against any background; white is a classic for water and land work.

Canvas dummies hold game scent far better than plastic, which makes them the better choice for dogs being introduced to hunting scenarios or for any session where you want to tie the retrieve to bird scent. The softer material is also gentler on a young dog’s mouth during early force-fetch or hold training. The SportDOG Puppy Canvas Dummy (2" x 8") is the right starting size for adolescent dogs — light enough to be thrown easily and sized for a smaller mouth. The Jumbo Canvas Dummy (2 3/4" x 12") steps up for larger breeds and more advanced work.

Quick guide: Starting a young dog → Puppy Canvas Dummy. Building drive and marks on land or water → Plastic knobby in orange or white. Teaching scent work or bird introduction → Canvas dummy with scent applied. Using a launcher → DT Systems Feather-Weight Launcher Dummy.

Regular vs. jumbo — does size matter?

For most retrievers, either size works fine — but there are reasons to choose one over the other. Regular (2") dummies are lighter and easier to throw long distances by hand, making them the better choice for solo training sessions and younger dogs. Jumbo (3") dummies are heavier, sink faster without extra water, and more closely simulate the weight of a real duck. Many trainers use regular dummies for early puppy work and marks, then transition to jumbo as the dog matures and works longer distances. For Labs and Golden Retrievers, either size is appropriate. For smaller breeds like Springers or Cockers, regular is usually the better fit.

Pairing dummies with a launcher

There are two types of launchers on this page, and they work differently with dummies.

Handheld dummy launchers — like the DT Systems Super Pro — fire a specially designed launcher dummy using a blank .22 crimp cartridge. The report of the blank simulates a gunshot while the dummy flies, teaching a dog to mark a bird off the sound of a shot. Standard hand-thrown plastic dummies aren’t built for this — the DT Systems Feather-Weight Launcher Dummy is specifically designed to hold up to repeated launches and deliver consistent flight.

Spring-powered bird launchers — the Zinger Winger systems and Dogtra bird launchers — are a different tool entirely. These are remote-triggered, field-set launchers that hold a live or frozen bird (or a bird-scented dummy) and release it on command, sending it airborne to simulate a natural flush or fall. They’re used for building steadiness, teaching marks at distance, and running realistic hunt test scenarios where you need a bird in the air at a precise moment. Canvas dummies with bird scent applied can be used in these launchers when working birds isn’t practical.

If you’re shopping for either type, see our full launcher category.

Common questions about dog training dummies

Do I need to add scent to my training dummies?
For early retrieve training, scent isn’t necessary — the goal is building drive and marking ability, not scenting skills. As your dog advances toward hunting scenarios, adding bird scent (pheasant, duck, or quail scent) to canvas dummies helps bridge the gap between a training dummy and a real bird. Canvas holds scent much better than plastic, so if scent work is a priority, canvas is the right choice. Scent spray can be picked up from any sporting goods retailer.

Will the plastic dummies float?
Yes — SportDOG plastic dummies have a fill valve that lets you adjust buoyancy. Empty, they float high and are easy for dogs to spot in the water. Add a small amount of water and they ride lower in the water, making them harder to see for advanced marking drills. Add too much water and they’ll sink, which some trainers use intentionally for underwater retrieve work.

What size dummy should I start a puppy with?
Start small. The SportDOG Puppy Canvas Dummy at 2" x 8" is the right fit for a young dog just learning to carry — it’s light enough that retrieving it feels like a win rather than a struggle. Once your dog is reliably retrieving and holding, you can introduce a regular plastic or canvas dummy at full size. Jumping straight to jumbo dummies in early training can discourage pups that find them awkward to carry.

How many dummies do I need?
For basic retrieve training with one dog, three to five dummies is enough to run a productive session. For multiple marks, triple retrieves, or training multiple dogs, having eight to twelve gives you enough to set up realistic scenarios without constantly resetting. The four-packs on this page are a good starting point.

Also in Training Gear: Dummy Launchers  |  Wings & Scents  |  Whistles  |  All Training Gear