1. When is the best time/age to begin formal training?

We like for dogs to begin training with us at 5-12 months - ideally ! But anytime up to 18 months to 2 years is good. The earlier the better, Like us -as dogs get older they get more set in their ways - so start early

2. Can I bring my dog for boarding or just obedience training?

NO - We do not board dogs. WE TRAIN RETRIEVERS - and that's all we do ! The training involves a lot of obedience - but this is Gun-Dog, Hunt-Test or Field Trial Training with birds Your dog will be staying with the other dogs in training , not next to any boarding dogs. No Obedience Classes , but we can offer a lot of help with Obedience Training and point you in the right direction - Or feel free to come and train with us.

3. How long does it take ? Tell me a little about the Training Program -

First the definition of a Started and Finished Dog:

Started Dog - A dog that is Force - Fetched, Collar Conditioned, doing good single retrieves ( coming back into heel properly), maybe starting some easy doubles - and tight obedience.

Finished Dog - A dog that is handling, doing multiple marks, steady, running nice blinds on land and water.

Let us begin by saying... We like to keep dogs in for a minimum of3 months. It takes the dogs a month to get used to us, the training routine, the other dogs, etc so by leaving the dogs for just one month - you will not see a big difference. We do not teach with the electronic collar. The dogs wear the collar from day one to get used to the weight - but you cannot teach the dog with the collar - only reinforce what they have been taught - during collar conditioning. You can ruin a nice dog burning with the collar from day one -without the dog knowing what he has been burned for!

We like to keep the dogs a minimum of 3 months to accomplish A LOT of obedience work (teaming how to heel and come into heel properly), getting the dogs retrieving on birds - ALL WE USE IN TRAINING ARE DUCKS AND PIGEONS. Once the obedience is cleaned up and they are excited about retrieving ( and retrieving consistently) - We force fetch. Force fetch teaches the dog to ho~d the bird in their mouth until you take it out and is the basis for everything else in the program. A dog who catches on to force fetch quickly - shows good promise for completing the remainder of the program to becoming a finished dog.

Once the dog is force fetched they will get back on the truck to begin getting birds again - During force fetch is the only time during the program, the dogs do not get to retrieve birds. We do not want them to associate getting their ear pinched with the birds. After force fetch is collar conditioning for SIT, HERE and HEEL. - where we begin to steady the dogs.

SO IDEALLY after 3-4 months... your dog will be retrieving good, force fetched and some collar conditioning and have nice tight obedience. However... since dog training is not an exact science and A LOT depends on the dog - some dogs take 2 months others 3-4 months. BUT - If after ONE MONTH your dog is not excited about the birds or retrieving consistently and this program "is not his/her cup of tea" - WE WILL NOT KEEP YOUR DOG! We will be able to let you know in I month if it's worth your money. the dogs efforts and our time - AND WE WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU ABOUT YOUR DOGS POTENTIAL and your expectations for him/her. Finished level work involves a longer time frame, again depending on the dog, from anywhere from 8-11 months. Formal Training is a step by step method and routine - A good analogy is - You cannot teach a child algebra before they learn basic math.

4. Can I be involved in the training process?

YES ! We encourage participation. The only thing we ask is for you to give us the first month without a visit .. so the dog can get used to us, the routine, etc... Its difficult if we have gotten to a place where the dog respects us and mom and dad come for a visit - They look at us and say" Well my mom and dad do not make me do that" !!! So the first month is all us ask.

5.1 do not want trial dog just a good hunting companion?

As far as the basics go - force fetch, collar conditioning, double T , swim by... the basics are all the same. The trial dogs will just be taught more advanced concepts. We will let you know if your dog has trial potential - if that's an avenue to explore.

6. flow much is the training ? What do I need to bring ? What requirements to start ?

We charge $450.00 a month... this includes everything, food, training, birds.

You will need to bring Heartworm Medication. The only additional

requirement - as we are State Certified - is current vaccination records -