Training
Basic Training
Our basic training program typically lasts around 3 months and can begin at 5 months of age. During this time, we will teach the foundational commands of “here, heel, sit, kennel, and place.” Your dog will become proficient with these commands on and off lead. Collar conditioning is also taught during the basic training program.
Exposure to gunfire and live and dead birds – pigeons and ducks takes place during Basic Training.
Pups will be taught the proper way to fetch, hold, and give bumpers and birds through force fetch.
The last step of the basic training program is to spend several weeks exposing the pup to various field and water environments that put together all of the skills your pup has just learned.
At the end of the Basic Training program your dog will be able to handle basic hunting scenarios and will be ready to run HRC Started and AKC Junior tests.
Transition Training
Our transition training typically lasts 3-5 months after Basic Training. During transition training your dog will be taught more advanced skills designed to make him the envy of your hunting buddies.
Multiple retrieves – we teach your dog to mark and memorize the location of multiple downed birds in the field.
Diversions – building on the force fetch your dog learned in the basic program we teach your dog to complete the retrieve they are making as another bird is being thrown without switching.
Walk-ups – your dog will be taught to remain steady at heel while walking as a bird is thrown and shot in front of us.
Honoring – we teach your dog to remain steady, quiet and attentive as another dog is retrieving.
Handling – during transition training we will teach your dog the basic skills needed to run blind retrieves.
At the completion of Transition Training your dog will be a pleasure to have in the duck blind with you and your buddies and will be able to handle most all hunting scenarios. Your dog will also be ready to run HRC Seasoned and AKC Senior tests, potentially HRC Finished and AKC Master tests.
Advanced Training
Advanced training builds on the skills and knowledge your dog learned in Basic and Transition Training. The goal of advanced training is to polish your dog into the finest retriever they can be. Marking concepts will become more complicated. Handling skills will be refined with precise literal casting.
Advanced Training will prepare your dog for HRC Finished and AKC Master tests with the possibility of HRC Grand and AKC Master National.
Upland Hunting
Upland training prepares your dog to flush and retrieve upland birds. We will teach your dog to work a field, flush, be steady to shot, and retrieve on command. We believe the best way to bring out your dogs natural drive is with bird contact, so they will see a lot of live birds during upland training.
At the conclusion of upland training your dog will be ready to hit the field with you for an exciting day of hunting. Your dog will also be ready to compete in UKC Upland Hunter tests.