Training

Our Philosophy is quite simple. Adjust to the dog. Every dog is different, they all need individualized programs. While the end result is the same, each dog has their own way of getting there. That is where we as the professional help get them there. First we simplify and teach in the yard, and go test for understanding in the field later in the day. Regardless of the level your dog is at, you will receive a monthly journal of what your dog did on a daily basis. Below you will see the various levels & programs we offer.

Our Puppy Program is designed to give young dogs the strongest possible foundation for a successful future in the field. We expose puppies to the people, environments, experiences, and situations they will encounter throughout their lives while developing their natural desire to retrieve both on land and in water.

Because this program requires a tremendous amount of individual attention, we accept no more than two puppies at a time. Every aspect of the program is informal and age-appropriate, using food, praise, repetition, and positive experiences to introduce the foundations of obedience and retrieving without taking away the puppy's natural enthusiasm.

Puppies are introduced to marks, obedience (sit, here, heel, kennel, and place), and introductory casting, including left overs, left backs, right backs, right overs, and come-ins. Equal emphasis is placed on developing confidence, retrieving desire, and the ability to comfortably navigate new environments.

Our goal is not simply to teach a puppy commands, but to build the foundation, confidence, desire, and understanding that gives that puppy the best possible opportunity to become a high-quality working retriever and hunt test competitor.

Age: 7 weeks – 6 months
Prerequisites: None
Enrollment: Maximum of 2 puppies

The Basic Gundog Program takes a young retriever from foundational work into a reliable, hunting companion. Upon completion, the dog will be prepared to earn the Started Hunting Retriever (SHR) title through UKC Hunt Tests.

During this phase, dogs transition into formal training and develop the skills necessary to handle the demands of real-world hunting. Training includes: formal obedience, force fetch, steadiness, working from platforms and stands, retrieving from boats, and exposure to the common situations a hunting retriever may encounter in the field.

Dogs will develop the ability to reliably mark and retrieve single marks out to approximately 75 yards on land and 60 yards on water, while maintaining control, confidence, and a willingness to work with their handler.

The goal is a dog that is not only capable of retrieving birds, but one that is obedient, steady, dependable, and ready to go to work when the shotgun comes out and the calling starts.

Simply put, this is the dog that will make you proud at the boat ramp—and the one you can count on when it's time to hunt.

Prerequisites: None (Puppy Program highly encouraged)

The Advanced Gundog Program builds upon the foundation established in Basic Gundog and takes your retriever to the next level. Upon completion, your dog will be prepared to earn the Hunting Retriever (HR) title through UKC Hunt Tests.

Dogs continue to build confidence and accuracy at greater distances, learning to reliably mark retrieves out to approximately 125 yards on land and 100 yards on water. They are also introduced to multiple retrieves (doubles), expanding upon the single-mark foundation established in Basic Gundog.

This phase also introduces the fundamentals of handling and blind retrieves. Dogs learn to respond to their handler and run blinds of approximately 75 yards on land and 60 yards on water, developing the control and communication necessary for more advanced work.

By the completion of this program, you will have a retriever capable of handling a wide variety of hunting situations with the drive, control, marking ability, and trainability to perform at a high level.

For the majority of hunters, a dog that reaches this level will be the once-in-a-lifetime kind of dog they have always dreamed of owning.

Prerequisites: Basic Gundog Program, SHR title, or successful evaluation by Young Gun Retrievers
Minimum Age: 10 months

In our opinion, there is no such thing as a completely finished retriever. There is always another skill to sharpen, another weakness to improve, and another level to reach. But a truly finished dog can get pretty darn close.

The Finished Gundog Program pushes a retriever to the limits of what we expect from an elite hunting dog. Dogs are challenged with multiple marks, including triples and, when appropriate, quads, while distances continue to increase. Land marks and blinds may extend to 200+ yards, while water marks and blinds can reach approximately 150 yards.

At this level, control and handling become increasingly precise. Dogs are expected to maintain confidence and enthusiasm while responding to their handler with pinpoint accuracy, even as the difficulty and complexity of the work increases.

Every retriever should aspire to this level, but not every dog is capable of reaching it. It takes a special combination of talent, desire, trainability, athleticism, and heart to become a truly finished retriever.

A dog we deem finished will be prepared to earn the Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH) title through UKC Hunt Tests.

And when you have a dog of this caliber, don't be surprised when your buddies start asking you to bring the dog along—not just to hunt, but because they want to watch your dog work.

Prerequisites:Basic Gundog Program, Advanced Gundog Program, HR title, or successful evaluation by Young Gun Retrievers
Minimum Age: 16 months

How do you get better than a Finished Gundog? Quite honestly, it's darn near impossible. But for the very, very select few, there is still another level.

The Elite Gundog Program is designed for exceptional retrievers that have already proven themselves at the highest levels of hunt test competition and have the talent, desire, and ability to continue progressing. We strongly encourage owners to allow their dogs to pursue this level of training when they have demonstrated that they are capable of it.

Dogs entering the Elite Gundog Program have achieved their Master Hunter (MH) and Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH) titles through AKC and UKC Hunt Tests and are ready to chase the next level. Training is focused on pursuing goals such as the Master National (AKC), Grand Hunting Retriever Champion (GRHRC) (UKC), Field Champion (FC), and Super Retriever Series (SRS) competition.

At this level, there is no predetermined finish line. Training becomes a continual process of refinement, preparation, competition, and pursuit of excellence. Every weakness is addressed, every strength is sharpened, and every opportunity is used to make an already exceptional retriever better.

If the ultimate goal for your retriever is to compete at the highest levels of the sport, contact us to discuss what it really takes to get there.

Prerequisites: Basic Gundog, Advanced Gundog, Finished Gundog, HRCH/MH title or successful evaluation by Young Gun Retrievers

Every dog and every training situation is different. Our Video Lesson program provides personalized instruction based specifically on your dog, your training level, and the issue you are experiencing.

Simply complete our training questionnaire so we can understand where your dog is in its development and what you would like to accomplish. From there, send us a video demonstrating the issue or provide a detailed description of what you are seeing. We will evaluate the situation and walk you through step-by-step instructions to identify the problem, make the appropriate adjustments, and get you and your dog moving in the right direction. A follow up appointment and lesson is included as well.

Whether you're dealing with a specific training issue, looking for guidance on a particular drill, or simply need another set of experienced eyes on your dog, our goal is to give you a clear plan that you can take directly to the training field.

Timeframe: Varies
Prerequisites: None

Coaching for a Day is designed for handlers who have their own dogs and want to train alongside us, run field setups, and improve their ability to read, train, and handle their retriever.

Our day begins at 6:30 AM and runs until sunset, giving you a full day of hands-on training and coaching. You will work alongside us through field setups while receiving individualized instruction based on your goals and your dog's current level of training.

Throughout the day, we will capture video of both you and your dog at work. At the end of the day, we sit down and evaluate the performance of both dog and handler—identifying what went well, where improvements can be made, and what you should focus on when you return home.

Breakfast, lunch, and beverages are provided, so you can focus on what you came for: training, learning, and becoming a better handler, becoming a better team.

Before your coaching day, we ask that you complete our Coaching for a Day form so we can understand where your dog is in its training and what you would like to accomplish during your day with us.

Age: All are welcome
Limit: 2 dogs per person, per day