Online Labs - Training

TRAINING

Our training program produces enthusiastic working retrievers, ones with confidence, drive, desire and a genuine willingness to please their masters. This begins with a well-mannered and obedient dog -- one that is welcomed in anyone's home or duckblind. A solid foundation in obedience is key to a good retriever, and is essential before beginning basic training.

Basic training involves more obedience work, teaching marking and memory skills, along with steadiness to shot and delivery to hand.

The end result is a dog able to handle an average days hunt, marking and retrieving multiple falls, while not disturbing the hunt itself.

A basic marking session would include a mark on the far left, followed by one on the far right, causing the dog to key on the gun barrel as the birds come out. Concepts such as crossing a point and re-entering the water, going through an old fall, or skimming the bank can be added as marking skills increase.

As the dog's training progresses, marks will become more technical, and distances extended--to assure a dog that can perform under any situation.

At the completion of basics, many clients choose to continue their dog's training to include hand signals or the blind retrieve. On occasion, a dog's view of the hunt could be obstructed, several birds shot, or a cripple sail out to 200 yards. Being able to direct your dog to unseen birds only adds fun to the hunt.

Lining drills in the yard and pattern blinds in the field help us produce dogs that take a good initial line, promptly sit on a whistle, and take whichever cast you may give. A prompt return along the same route is expected.

During basics and advanced, your dog will experience virtually everything associated with duck hunting--birds, guns, boats, 4-wheelers, box and pit blinds, treestands--and we will gladly custom train your dog to fit any particular need you may have. We also offer additional training to meet your upland hunter needs--teaching quartering and flushing, steady to wing and shot, and tracking of wounded game. We participate in the Hunting Retriever Club's Upland Hunter program for those interested in a Upland Hunter title.

Before arriving for training, all dogs need to be current on their shots, along with being treated for kennel cough. We also recommend a heartworm clearance. If shots become due during training, we will gladly have them done by our personal vet.

Dogs shipped will be sent to Memphis International Airport, serviced by Delta Dash and Northwest VIP.

Training times vary between dogs, but on average, 3-4 months is needed to go through basics, and another 3-4 months to be proficient at hand signals. It is best done in two segments, and after that, an annual tune-up is all that is needed. Participating Hunt Tests will add to training times, depending on your goals, and we can discuss those options as your dog progresses through training.

FEES

We offer a puppy socialization program for pups 3-5 months old, to properly introduce them to guns, birds, and water--along with learning early social skills.

$275 one month (limited space)

Basic and Advanced training costs $400 per month and includes food, birds, ammo, and all necessary training equipment. All you need to bring is the dog and enough Heartguard to cover his stay.