Retriever Training
Basic Retriever Dog Training Program
Our aim is to provide you with a proficient working retriever tailored to your hunting requirements (Dove/Duck/Goose). Whether you seek a dedicated hunting companion or a dog for Hunt Tests, a strong foundation is crucial for years to come. The gun dog program begins at a minimum age of 6 months
There are 3 main stages of the Basic Gud dog hunting program
Stage 1- Obedience/Field Obedience
The first stage is obedience, field obedience, and exposing your dog to birds, gun sounds, water, cover and building up your dog's retrieve with all the above.
Obedience is essential whether it's around the house or in the hunting field. We start off by teaching your dog the commands "Here" and "Sit". The command "Here" combines your "come" and "heel" commands. We instill everything on-lead as well as off-lead with the use of the E-Collar.
While your dog is learning the obedience, we are building their retrieve. We understand that many people do not have access and time show their dogs everything, so depending on the dog we will start to show them and develop the field work. We will show them birds, gun sounds, water, cover, etc.
Once we feel they understand the obedience, we will instill the obedience in the field. Once they pick up a bird/bumper they will come back and heel to your left side and sit down. They will walk beside you as you move around. This process normally takes 2 months.
Stage 2 - Mouth Work
The mouth work or force fetch is the 2nd stage. We teach your dog to bring the bird/bumper all the way back and deliver to hand. This command is important because it teaches your dog not to eat, chew, or play with the bird while out in the field. We start by teaching them to hold a bumper and then instilling in them not to drop the bumper/bird until you take it from them. We want them to pick up the birds and bring them back to deliver them to hand. From the first step of teaching them to hold to retrieving back in the field with the field obedience and mouth work takes about 6 - 8 weeks; however this timeframe varies from dog to dog.
Stage 3 - Steadiness and putting it all together.
The last stage is showing marking drills and teaching steadiness. We will start of by teaching them to look out for the bumpers/birds with the use of launchers in the field/water. We then go into the steadiness stage. Steadiness (or steady to shot) is when a dog only leaves for a retrieve when you say their name. After we teach the steadiness, we instill the steadiness with the field/water retrieves and various scenarios. The last state is where we put all the stages together and provide the foundation for a hunting dog. This stage takes about 6 - 8 weeks, but varies from dog to dog.
Breeds trained
BREEDS: We train ALL retriever breeds (Such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers), German Shorthair Pointers, and Spaniel breeds.
COST AND LENGTH OF TIME
The basic gun dog program normally takes between 5 to 6 months.
Total cost for our hunting dog training programs vary based on the level of training required and the specific needs of your dog. All programs are at a monthly rate, it includes training, boarding, food, and birds (for retriever program). It's $700 a month. (First and last month pro-rated)
We do offer various DISCOUNTS:
- Monthly Payment: If you pay between the 1st and 15th of the month and you pay with Check, Cash, Venmo, you may take $25 off the monthly fee.
- Puppy Purchase: If you purchase a puppy from us and bring the back to us for field training or obedience training within the 1st year, we offer a separate discount then above. (Contact us for more information.)
Requirements:
- We require your dog to be up-to-date on their vaccinations and on heartworm prevention
- Rabies, DHP-CPV (or equivalent ), Bordetella (KC)
- Please bring Heartworm Medication & any flea medication.
