TRAINING PROGRAMS
Bird Dog Training
HANDLER TRAINING
This program is designed for bird dog owners old and new who want to train their dog themselves. We will give you the tools and understanding on how to train your bird dog. Whether you are just getting into the sport or are working on your next field champion we are happy to consult you on your training journey.
INTRODUCTION TO TRAINING
This is a great program for young dogs who have had limited to no exposure to birds, gunfire, and the field. We will focus on getting your dog out into the field to build their confidence while they navigate new cover. We will also expose them safely to both gunfire and birds. At the end of the day, we want a bold and confident pup who is excited about heading out into the field looking for birds. This program prepares your dog for formal training.
FORMAL TRAINING
Formal training picks up where the Introduction program leaves off. In this program we begin with groundwork to help establish cues that will be the foundation of conditioned behavior. Once we have established those cues we will teach your dog “here”, “kennel”, “woah”, and “heel”. Your dog will finish its introduction to gunfire and will have plenty of bird contacts. In this program your dog will also be exposed to backing/honoring situations. We will encourage retrieving at this point, but at this time do not offer a trained retrieve program. The formal training program will prepare your dog for hunting with you in the field. They will not be fully steady dogs, but they will have the foundation to begin the steadying process.
ADVANCED TRAINING
Advanced training is reserved for dogs who have already completed our formal training program, or on a case-by-case basis. This program will begin the “steadying process” to your preferred level of steadiness (wing, shot, or fall). We will be taking dogs into the field and putting them into hunting situations. We will solidify backing, stop to flush and begin regularly shooting birds over your dog. At the end of this program, we will be sending home a dog who is hunting with you, coming to you when called, and well-mannered on his birds. This program will set you up to take your dog hunting out into the country in search of your favorite upland birds.
We are here to help you decide which program is right for you.