Prepare for any emergency & Protect your hunting companion  all season long
Learn everything you need to know about hunting dog health and navigating field emergencies with this comprehensive course based on decades of first-hand experience and clinical knowledge.
Keep your hunting pal happy, healthy, and in the field!
GET THE COURSE
INTRODUCTION
BE THE PARTNER YOUR DOG DESERVES
Working dogs aren’t just pets. They’re our partners, companions, and family.
We invest months—sometimes years—training and conditioning these incredible dogs, preparing them to perform their best in the field. But despite our best efforts, emergencies and unexpected challenges do happen. And all the preparation in the world isn’t always enough to keep your loyal companion safe and healthy.
As a sporting dog specialist, avid hunter, and devoted dog owner, I’ve experienced first-hand the challenges these remarkable animals face in the field. Knowing how to properly care for your dog during those critical moments is essential for their health and well-being.
It’s not just about avoiding injuries. It’s about making sure your hunting partner remains happy, healthy, and ready for every adventure.
That’s why I created this course—to empower you with the knowledge and skills to confidently handle any situation your dog may encounter in the field so you can keep them safe year-round.
BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING
Manage situations unique to the field and your dog.
Want to keep your working dog healthy, happy, and performing well in the field?
In the Field Emergencies, First Aid and Unique Issues of Hunting Dogs course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to address the unique issues you’ll encounter in the field with an active working dog—ranging from minor issues like cuts and bruises to life-threatening injuries and conditions.
Identify and triage injuries of working dogs.
Learn how to recognize issues early, identify the unique injuries you may encounter with your working dogs, and know when to address them in the field and when to seek veterinary care.
Learn how to treat your dog’s injuries.
The nuts and bolts of the course teach you how to properly care for your dog when you encounter issues in the field. This course isn’t designed to replace veterinary care but to supplement and enhance your dog’s care when a vet isn’t available.
Make sure you have the right supplies.
Become properly equipped to handle all the situations you may encounter. Understand what items you should carry in your first aid kit and why so you’re prepared to treat any injury with the right supplies.
Prevent injuries and illness.
The best medicine is through prevention. We’ll teach you how to avoid or prevent many conditions or hazards you might encounter in the field. Accidents are bound to happen, but we want to help you control the controllable.
Become an educated hunting dog owner.
Our working dogs have unique health issues and encounter hazards in the field most dogs will never see. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of hunting dog health so you can advocate for your dog at the vet and beyond.
Optimizing Your Time in the Field.
The ultimate goal of this course is to help you keep your hunting partner happy, healthy, and in the field. You’ll learn how to optimize their performance so they can live their best life while you create lifelong memories together.
THE COURSE
Field Emergency and First Aid for Hunting Dogs
Get lifetime access to 16 video lessons with practical, step-by-step guidance on how to effectively manage injuries and emergencies in the field to keep your hunting dog safe, happy, and healthy.
Just $297 for a limited time.
“This course will give you more confidence venturing out into the field where anything can and will happen. My dog recently had a paw injury, and it gave me the knowledge to assess the injury and appropriately rest my dog.
I was able to get her back into the field quicker than I thought, and the wound has healed well.”
— Alex
MEET THE GUNDOGDOC
DR. JOE SPOO DACVSMR
The original GunDogDoc, Dr. Joe Spoo is a veterinarian of small animal medicine with a special passion for sporting dogs and—more specifically—the gundog breeds. He believes in a cradle-to-grave approach to managing canine athletes over the course of their lifetime rather than just focusing on the problem of the moment.
Dr. Spoo is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is one of only a handful of such specialists operating in private practice worldwide—and the only one whose primary focus is hunting dogs.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Spoo also has numerous research publications to his credit as he pushes to advance the field of veterinary medicine. He is an invited speaker to state and national veterinary meetings as an expert on the subjects of canine rehabilitation and sports medicine.
For over a quarter century, Dr. Spoo has treated hunting dogs with all types of injuries and health conditions. And over that same time frame, he’s chased his own dogs—which have included retrievers, setters, and spaniels—all over the Midwest in pursuit of birds and the very rare ribbon.
He created the Field Emergencies & First Aid Course to provide hunting dog owners with a comprehensive guide to address field emergencies, deliver effective first aid, and learn more about the unique needs of their hunting companions.
Here's What dog owners are saying...
“We invest heavily in our dogs in both time and money. They are family members to us.
Taking this course gave us better awareness and preparedness for when something unfortunate could happen in the field.”
— Matt
“I’d absolutely recommend! This course gives dog owners the tools and knowledge they need to handle critical situations in the field.
This course will no doubt save you hundreds of dollars in vet bills but could ultimately save your dog’s life.
Every responsible hunter should take this course so they can administer aid and make informed decisions about their dog when situations arise.”
— Justin
“I would absolutely recommend this to any dog owner. I am a paramedic with years of experience in emergency field treatment, and I learned invaluable information from this course.
Fortunately, I have not needed to use yet, but I’ve been re-watching some of the materials prior to the season opener.”
— Shaun
WHAT’S INSIDE?
Everything you need to know to identify, prevent, and handle field emergencies
In this course, you’ll get the knowledge and skills to handle common injuries and emergencies your hunting dog may face in the field. You’ll learn how to identify various issues (from minor cuts to more serious conditions) and how to effectively treat them to ensure that your hunting partner remains happy, healthy, and ready for action throughout the season. While this course is not a replacement for veterinary care, it will equip you with the essential tools to begin the treatment and recovery process when immediate veterinary help isn't available. By becoming proactive in your dog's care, you can ensure their well-being and enjoy peace of mind during every hunting adventure.
CHAPTER 01: Introduction to the Course
We’ll dive into the tailgate exam and talk more about why what vest you choose matters and how to muzzle your dog without a muzzle.
CHAPTER 02: Building a First Aid Kit
We’ll show you how to build a base first aid kit for the truck and a kit to carry with you in the field.
CHAPTER 03: Eye Care
Learn the ins and outs of eye care, including eye injuries, how to flush the eye, and how to apply ointment.
CHAPTER 04: Nose Care
Let’s dive deeper into the business end of the dog to discuss nasal foreign bodies and how/when to flush the nose.
CHAPTER 05: Foot Care
Learn about all things related to hunting dog foot care, including everything from nail trims to boots and when to hunt or not.
CHAPTER 06: Lacerations
Learn how to recognize and treat lacerations to prevent infection and ensure a swift recovery, including when to close a wound and how to use a skin stapler.
CHAPTER 07: Bandaging
We’ll cover the principles of bandaging in the field. Learn how to apply a simple bandage and a splint.
CHAPTER 08: Migrating Foreign Bodies
Migrating foreign bodies can pose a serious risk to your dog. Learn what plants can cause them, what infection can look like, and how to guide treatment.
CHAPTER 09: Temperature Extremes
Learn how to avoid issues from prolonged exposure to the elements. From heat stroke to hypothermia, we’ll prepare you for extreme temperature situations.
CHAPTER 10: Lameness
We will walk you through a lameness exam and present our decision tree on whether to hunt or not.
CHAPTER 11: Hypoglycemia
Learn to recognize the signs of low blood sugar. We’ll discuss ways to prevent it and how to provide treatment when necessary.
CHAPTER 12: Exertional Rhabdomyolysis
When dogs work too hard, they can sometimes experience muscle breakdown. Learn to recognize and prevent this condition.
CHAPTER 13: Toxins
Dogs like to eat things they shouldn’t. Let’s dive into potential toxins (including blue-green algae), inducing vomiting, and poison control.
CHAPTER 14: Major Trauma
Sometimes, the only option is to stabilize the injury and seek immediate veterinary care. Learn what to do when your dog experiences major trauma in the field.
CHAPTER 15: Animal Encounters
Porcupines, rabies, and skunks … oh my! Learn what to do when your dog encounters animals like these in the field.
CHAPTER 16: Post-Hunt Issues
Some dogs don’t experience issues until the hunt ends. We’ll tackle post-hunt issues like diarrhea, anorexia, soreness, and infectious diseases.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
If you’re a dedicated hunting dog owner who wants to take the best possible care of your companion, this course was designed for you.
By equipping yourself with essential first-aid knowledge and skills and knowing how to identify and prevent potential issues, you’ll be prepared to handle any emergency in the field—all while keeping your hunting dog happy, healthy, and high-performing.
Gain the confidence to handle any challenge or situation so you can focus on what truly matters—enjoying your time together in the great outdoors!
“We thankfully have not had any field emergencies recently. However, I feel better prepared on how to read and navigate those potentially dangerous scenarios and know that if something happens, we will be able to handle it until we can reach our vet.”
— Julia
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is this course designed for?
This course is designed for hunting dog owners who want to enhance their knowledge of hunting dog health and learn how to care for their dogs, especially during field emergencies. Whether it’s your first hunting dog or your 10th, you’ll benefit from the practical skills we teach in this course.Â
No previous medical knowledge or experience necessary!
What topics are covered in this course?
The course covers a range of essential topic, including recognizing and treating lacerations, managing heat exhaustion and hypothermia, handing migrating foreign bodies, addressing hypoglycemia, and more. Each section provides detailed information on both prevention and treatment.
Do I need any prior knowledge or experience to take this course?
No, you don’t need any prior medical knowledge or experience to get the most out of this course. In fact, the course was designed to give hunting dog owners with no medical background the knowledge and skills they need to best handle emergency situations in the field until they can get to a veterinarian.Â
You’ll learn everything you need to know to confidently care for your hunting dog’s health both in the field and after the hunt.
I’m having trouble justifying the price. Is this worth the investment?
Post-pandemic veterinary costs have skyrocketed especially emergency care. The cost of this course will more than pay for itself if it saves you even one routine emergency visit.Â
The more complicated the issue you encounter (like lacerations), the more the course becomes worth it. Not to mention, having the knowledge to save your dog’s life in an emergency situation is priceless.
Do I really need this? I have a great relationship with my vet.
I love to hear when people have a good relationship with their vet! This course is not designed to replace your veterinarian. However, unless your vet is also your hunting buddy and by your side every time you’re out in the field, they likely won’t be nearby when your dog might experience issues in the field.
This course serves as a supplement to veterinary care that empowers you to take action and provide care in the field until you can reach a veterinarian if needed. You’ll even learn when it’s something you can handle and when it’s time to seek professional care.
How long will I have access to the course?
When you sign up for the course, you’ll get instant lifetime access to the course. This includes any future updates or additional content that may be added in the future. That means you can go through the material on your own time and at your own pace and revisit it whenever you need a refresher.
Get Lifetime Access
Field Emergency and First Aid for Hunting Dogs
For less than the price of an emergency vet visit, access this one-of-a-kind course that teaches you everything you need to know about caring for your hunting companion. Become the owner your dog deserves and gain access to priceless knowledge that just might save their life.
