OUR GUN DOG TRAINING PROGRAM
OUR GUN DOG TRAINING PROGRAM
Evaluation
Since every dog is an individual, each must first be evaluated.
Evaluation involves exposure to many different yard and field elements (leash, pinch collar, obedience, yard retrieves, dead and live birds, water, cover, etc.) and analysis of the results. This analysis will give us an indication of your dog’s ceiling of potential and will allow our trainer to set up a schedule and program designed specifically for you and your dog. Evaluations are best implemented when your puppy is 3-4 months old. However, we routinely evaluate older dogs up to 6 years old. A typical evaluation takes approximately 1 hour.
Sessions
Once evaluated, you may be asked to come back for sessions. Session work involves bringing your dog for approximately 45 min to 1 hour of work, where the trainer will expose him to the appropriate yard and field exercises in order to advance to the next level. Usually we will ask to have a session every 2-3 weeks after your evaluation until the time that you drop your dog off for formal training. After completing session work, your dog will be comfortable with our facility, staff and surroundings, familiar with the basic elements of obedience, and excited about the game of hunting and will be now thoroughly prepared for formal gun dog training.
Formal Training
For this portion of the hunting dog training, your dog will be admitted into our facility for an extended stay. Although there are exceptions, we recommend a minimum of 3 months of formal training. Working with your dog during formal training is essential. After the first month of training is complete, the owner is expected to come and work with the trainer on a weekly basis. By the time of graduation, both the dog and handler should be working as a team.
RETRIEVERS
We train well over 90 retrievers each year through the 4 levels of our retriever training program; basic versatile hunter, transition, advanced and grand level.
POINTERS
Our pointing dog program specializes in training highly efficient, disciplined upland hunting dogs that stay within range, handle well, consistently point, and retrieve to hand.
FLUSHERS
There is no better way to get a shot at a wild running pheasant than with a good flushing dog! With our thousands of acres, your dog will see hundreds of scenarios to be ready for many seasons to come.
OBEDIENCE
We put a heightened emphasis on obedience whether we are training a hunting dog or just a family member. Our obedience program lays a strong foundation for you and your dog.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What age can my dog come in for training?
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Though there are exception we recommend your dog is dropped off for formal training after 6 months of age. The transition from baby teeth to adult teeth can be very uncomfortable for a young dog and they may associate the pain from losing teeth with the game of retrieving. You might ask if you should do any retrieving while this transition is happing and the answer yes. Just pick an object that is soft (paint roller, small Dokken, tennis ball etc.) and watch how your dog reacts to picking the object up.
How long is the training program?
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The training program varies based on the level your dog is enrolled in. Most level 1 programs are 3-4 months with the pointing training program normally using 4 months. This is really based on the work that was done with the puppy by the owner though the pre drop-off sessions and their natural ability.
Will my dog remember me?
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Yes. If done correctly the bond developed with your dog as a puppy will be imprinted for life. After the 1st month of formal training the owner is invited to your first session. The objectieve of the first session is to show your dog that while his or her owner is standing next to him or her they still have to do their work. We as trainers expect the dog to be overly excited whenever the owner comes for a session and we set our expectations accordingly.
Can I visit my dog while enrolled in the full program?
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Absolutely! We encourage owners to come visit and do sessions with your dog on a weekly basis after the first month in the formal training program. We wait until after the first month for a few reasons but one big one is that we need that time to create some progress with the dog so the dog is confident in its work.
How often is the dog worked?
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Dogs in formal training are trained 5-6 days a week based on the level they are in. For young dogs we do 15-20 minute micro sessions throughout the day. Dogs are let out to play and go to the bathroom many times throughout the day (depending on the weather they could be out 30 minutes to 2 hours).
Why are sessions so important?
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Sessions are vitally important as we teach you how to handle your dog and show you how to get the most out of the skills we put into your dog. This starts with the puppy evaluation where we show you the potential of your dog and then the sessions leading up to formal training are all about setting the obedience expectations. When your dog is in formal training we are training you on how to handle your dog but also showing your dog that you know the commands and that they need to comply.
Can I contact my trainer? Will they send me updates?
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Yes. At the time of drop-off you and your trainer will exchange contacts. After there is some progress the trainer will send regular messages informing you of the dogs progress. Some times our staff will post on social media videos with your dog in training. We try to tag you so you can share with all your family and friends the progress your dog has made.
