Upland Gun Dog Training
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Our Gun Dog Training Services
Paws Training: From Basics to Brilliance
We offer a variety of upland & gun dog training packages for our clients from basic obedience all the way to a finished upland & gun dog. Before accepting the job, we will have a discussion on what level of training you are expecting then we will discuss what will be the right plan for you and your dog.
Once we understand what your expectations for the level of dog that best fits you, then training may begin. Our goal is to have both a happy client and a happy dog!
Understanding each dog develops as an individual and at their own pace helps us while training. We build a personal relationship with each dog earning their trust before formal training begins. We believe building a trusting relationship with each dog is the first building block needed as a foundation for the rest of the training to build upon.
When your dog arrives, we will spend some time evaluating your dog’s natural abilities such as the desire to retrieve, cooperativeness, game-finding ability and personality. The importance of this evaluation allows us to understand where to start with each dog. Does the dog have natural ability as these items cannot be put into your dog, natural ability is passed down from mom and dad.
The evaluation period normally takes a little time to get your dog settled into their new surroundings and for each ability to be thoroughly investigated. The last thing we want to do is spend time, effort, and money with a dog that just doesn’t want to be a working dog.
Three Levels of Gun & Upland Dog Training
Basic Obedience
Before introducing gun & upland dog training, a dog has a solid foundation in basic obedience commands. Walking with a leash in the heel position, sitting, and coming with voice and whistle are learned. Obedience starts the foundation for all other levels of training. We do not move on to the next level until we have acquired this set of skills. Normally obedience can be mastered within a 3 month time frame. Understanding that each dog develops at their own pace we will not guarantee that every dog will have the obedient skills by 3 months. Some may be quicker, and some may take longer as there is no guarantee to how each dog will develop.
02
Started
This level of training can be defined in many different ways from trainer to trainer. We believe a started dog has mastered obedience, has the natural ability needed, will find and retrieve downed game. Pointing dogs will be staunch on point and chase once the bird flies then retrieve the downed game. Waterfowl retrievers will sit beside you and retrieve the downed game when sent. Spaniels will find and produce game and then chase to retrieve the downed game. If needed, we can touch up their retrieving ability on the bench and then move to birds. Retrievers and Spaniels will begin with a bumper first, then a cold dead pigeon, then a live wing clip. We use pigeons for training as bird dogs need birds.
We listen to what each dog is telling us as we do not want to push our dog too hard. Once we have your dog through the starting level of upland & gun dog training we will spend time with you handling your paw. Started dogs are ready for the field in the right conditions and scenarios. Started dogs are not battle-tested experienced dogs. Normally started dogs need 5 to 7 months of training. Some may be quicker, and some may take longer as there are guarantees to how each dog will develop.
03
Finished
This level of upland & gun dog training is a combination of obedience and starts with additional steadiness. Pointing dogs will hold their point once the bird has been flushed until the command is given to retrieve it. Flushing dogs will find and produce game then sit until the command is given to retrieve. Waterfowl dogs will sit steady until given the command to retrieve adding the back command for multiple retrieves. Stopping on a whistle and hand signals are added at this level of training.
Bumpers to live birds in actual hunting situations will be practised many times during this level. We start with bumpers then move to cold dead pigeons, then move to fresh dead pigeons, and finally, we move to live pigeons. Each dog will perform well at each stage before moving on to the next level. Remaining steady for a bumper versus a live pigeon will challenge each dog. The level of excitement greatly enhances the go-get-it attitude which is why we run through each stage multiple times before moving on. This level of training normally takes 7 to 9 months of training. Some may be quicker, and some may take longer as there are guarantees to how each dog will develop.
Tailored Dog Training Sessions
Our goal is to have both happy clients and happy dogs!
Gun & Upland Dog Training Fees
- $600.00/month
- $6/ pigeon
- Ducks, Quail, Pheasants are available when requested at owner expense
- Monthly heart worm prevention, vaccination, or vet visits for whatever reason are at the dog owners expense
Please contact us with interest in having your dog trained with us.
Our Contact
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Rita Ferguson Customer