RETRIEVER TRAINING PROGRAM
RETRIEVER TRAINING PROGRAM
Having a great hunting retriever makes each hunt that much more enjoyable. Our retriever training program is designed to train your dog to be calm and obedient in the blind and ready to go when you say the word. With our fantastic training grounds we can expose your retriever to hundreds of hunting scenarios so you can be confident in all hunting scenarios.
After the evaluation and the follow sessions your dog will start formal training. During formal training you will have many sessions where you can work with our trainers to learn how to handle and get the best out of your retrieving partner.
RETRIEVER LEVEL 1
basic versatile hunter
Approximately 4 months.
During this phase of training your dog will learn:
• Basic obedience, including whistle, voice and hand signals for sit/stay, recall and change directions
• Collar conditioning (teaching the dog that electric collar pressure is substituted as an “extension” of the lead)
• Conditioned retrieve (teaching the dog to pick up and hold an object in order to avoid positive punishment)
• To retrieve both bumpers and birds in a stylish, yet disciplined manner with a finished delivery to hand
• To be “steady” and wait to be sent on a retrieve in the yard and field
• To quarter, find, flush and retrieve upland birds in the upland field
• To stay within gun range and respond to obedience commands in the upland field
• To complete retrieves in many venues (long distances, through decoys, through cover changes and in many simulated hunting environments)
• Introduction to basic multiple retrieves
• Introduction to casting (hand signals)
Connect with us to schedule an evaluation
RETRIEVER LEVEL 2
transition
Approximately 4 months of training past level 1.
During this phase of training, your now-experienced retriever will be making the most noticeable advancement in his/her abilities in the field. A great deal of new exercises and concepts will be taught and therefore must be learned by the owner. Dogs finishing this level will be capable of competing at the UKC’s seasoned level, or the AKC’s senior level and can be considered the average hunter’s finished dog.
During this phase of training your dog will learn:
• Extensive yard drills, including multiple lining and handling drills
• Simple blind retrieves on land and water
• Longer, more complex marks on land and water
• Multiple marks on land and water
Connect with us to schedule an evaluation
RETRIEVER LEVEL 3
advanced
Approximately 4 months past level 2.
Only the most talented of retrievers are capable of this level. This phase of training is for those who want to have more than just a great hunting dog. Dogs completing this level of training can participate at finished UKC or Master AKC tests. Many more training exercises will be added to the repertoire.
During this phase of training your dog will learn:
• Complex, long blind retrieves with cover changes and diversions on land and water.
• Complex multiple marks
Connect with us to schedule an evaluation
RETRIEVER LEVEL 4
international grand
One of the highest honors for an owner is to know your dog has reached its maximum protentional as a Grand Hunting Retriever Champion. The Grand is the ultimate test of drive, control and hunting ability and is held twice a year. We primarily participate in the fall grand because of our cold springs. This level takes years of dedication and only the best retrievers are invited by the Gun Dog Success staff to try their hand at the hardest hunt test in the world. To date there are only 333 GRHRCH and we are proud to have trained 14 of them.
You can learn more about the hunting retriever club: HUNTING RETRIEVER CLUB
