The CGA Fire Hose Puppy Bumper is an excellent bumper to use for training your retriever. 

They are durable, rugged, and designed with your retriever in mind. 

The firehose provides excellent grip in both dry and wet conditions. The realistic duck-like feel helps promote a solid hold for your retriever, making this a #1 choice for training your dog to hunt.

The Puppy size bumper is perfect for working with young or mature dogs. They are the ideal size to add variety to your training bag so that your dog is comfortable with small objects. Dove and quail are an example of skinny birds that your dog may pick up in the field. This bumper will help prepare your dog for small game birds.

How many and what color should I choose?

I would recommend keeping a few of these in your training bag. A variety of colors wouldn't hurt either.

*Note* puppy bumpers can be used for marking, but keep in mind that they have a smaller profile, and therefore when airborne, will have less contrast than larger bumpers. (Especially at distance)

- White is a great all-around choice for working on marked retrieves or any drill, really. From piles to marks to blinds, a white bumper has its place. For building confidence on blinds, use a white bumper. Make sure your dog can see it! For marked retrieves, use a white bumper. It will help your dog be as successful as it can be.

- Orange is excellent for blind retrieves. Don't be surprised if your dog runs right past an orange bumper. It's harder for your dog to see and, therefore, should be used in the proper context considering variables like wind, cover, etc. Don't be afraid to tape a duck wing or add scent to your bumper to help your dog on the blind retrieve. They have an incredible nose for a reason. 

- Yellow is an excellent blend of white and orange, in our opinion. In some cases, it's easier for the dog to see than white; however, it all depends on context. The science out there shows that dogs can see yellow well, but in our experience, it all boils down to contrast of the environment. You can use yellow for both marked and blind retrieves. I use them as a good in-between bumper for yellow and orange.