Dogs have been hunting by their masters' sides for centuries. The instincts to retrieve, bark up trees and point are natural in dogs like retrievers, English setters and feists. Hunting with dogs can bring both you and them great satisfaction, and you'll be taking part in a sport that stretches back generations.

No matter what game you are pursuing on the hunt, it's critical to ensure your dog's safety while in the field.

First and foremost, make sure your dog is trained for hunting. This is not an overnight process! Find a local trainer to work with or consult books like Richard Wolters' Water Dog: Revolutionary Rapid Training Method, which is considered a training classic.

Is your dog ready for action? Check yourself against a list put together by the Billings Animal Family Hospital in Billings, Montana to help people who are hunting with dogs.

Before the Hunt

• Visit a vet: You certainly don't want your dog to return from a hunt with a disease like rabies or Lyme disease. Before heading out for hunting season, it's important to visit your veterinarian to make sure your dog is up-to-date on all vaccinations and is taking the proper medications to prevent parasites.
• Think safety first: You're not the only one who should be wearing a brightly colored safety vest on a hunt. Your dog should also be outfitted in an orange safety vest so other hunters are aware of his presence. If you're planning on letting your dog off the leash, you should invest in a breakaway collar, which allows your dog to break free in case he becomes tangled in branches or unseen water hazards. Always make sure that he has his ID tags, and consider microchipping him in case the two of you get separated.
  Dogs also have much more sensitive hearing that humans. So, if you are hunting with rifles or shotguns be cognizant of your dog's hearing. Never shoot too close to him. You might even consider some doggie headphones to protect his hearing when he isn't being used to listen for potential game.
• Invest in a pet first aid kit: When hunting with dogs, there is a chance that your dog might get hurt. Even a minor cut that isn't treated can become a much bigger problem if it becomes infected. That's why you should always carry a pet first aid kit with you on a hunt. A few recommendations are equipping your kit with supplies like bandages, antiseptic and tweezers.