Steve Says: Why We Call These the $3 Dummy
If you train retrievers, you need a lot of plastic training dummies. That’s why we call this the $3 dummy. These are economy pile dummies made for everyday work.
You’ll get a better price when you buy them by the dozen. The more you train, the more dummies you’ll use.
Why We Offer Different Colors
Our plastic dummies come in three colors:
- White
- Orange
- Half Black / Half White
Dogs do not see color the way you do. What looks bright to you may not stand out to a dog.
Orange
Easy for you to see in the field.
Harder for the dog to see because it blends into the background.
Good choice for blind retrieves where you are handling the dog.
White
Easy for the dog to see against dark backgrounds.
May be harder to see in the air against a light sky.
Once it hits the ground, it stands out clearly.
Black
Shows up well against light backgrounds.
Half Black / Half White
My personal favorite.
Visible against almost any background.
The contrast makes it easy for dogs to see in the air during marks.
Simple rule:
- For marks, use a color the dog can see well.
- For blinds, use a color that is harder for the dog to see but easy for you to spot.
Economy Dummy — But Built Right
These are inexpensive dummies, but we still hold them to a standard.
- Slightly firmer plastic
- Some give, but still durable
- Made for trainers who need a large pile of dummies
No Water Valve
These dummies do not have a water valve.
Water valves tend to cause problems. They fall out or leak. By removing the valve, we avoid that issue.
- They still float well
- Great for water work
- Fewer parts to break
Standard and Jumbo Sizes
We offer two sizes:
- Standard Dummy — 2-inch diameter
- Jumbo Dummy — 3-inch diameter
I like the jumbo dummies because they are closer to the size of real birds. A dog may spend months picking up a smaller dummy, then suddenly be expected to pick up a big mallard. Jumbo dummies help bridge that gap.
Why Cheap Dummies Matter
Retriever dummies are a commodity. They are plastic, knobby, and have a rope.
You can buy fancy dummies with special shapes, weights, and materials. But many of those cost $10, $15, or even $30 each. That does not make sense when you need a lot of them.
For real training, you may need:
- 12 to 15 dummies for normal training
- 30 to 40 dummies for some drills
- Even more in advanced setups
That is why price matters.
Why Ours Are Better Than Most Cheap Dummies
Our $3 dummy is not the same as everyone else’s.
We order them by the container, which gives us more control over how they are made. We require a specific weight and consistent construction, so the manufacturer cannot cut corners on an already inexpensive product.
If You Teach Line Drills
If you are training for blind retrieves, you are teaching line drills. And if you are teaching line drills, you need a pile of dummies.
I want at least six on the ground when I am working a dog. Many drills use far more than that. So yes, you may end up needing 36 or more.
That is exactly why the $3 dummy exists.
Includes a Throw Rope
Every dummy comes with a free throw rope. Because honestly, why wouldn’t it?
