Training

IMG_41821One summer – even one month – of training can make a huge difference. The dogs don’t jump, they walk beside us. Walking to the mailbox changes from a frenzy of gold fur to a playful escort of giddy but well-behaved dogs. They don’t run off when we’re hunting, they run in limited circles to flush upland birds. They don’t barge unexpectedly into sloughs, but wait for the signal to retrieve ducks.

Listed below is our basic training package. However, if you have specific questions or requests, please ask! We’re happy to tailor your dog’s training to your needs and hobbies. Finally, at the bottom you’ll find the training commands we use and a few training tips. If you would like more advice on how to train your own dog, or schedule a time to come how to train from us, email or call.

Training Commands

All commands are single word commands. Add the dog’s name & use visual hand signals to help confirm command, especially as the distance increases.

SIT Dog should sit until released with a command.
STAY Signal by holding hand facing towards the dog, palm open. Dog should not move from spot until released with a command to “come” or “all done”.
 COME  Signal by clapping, or hold your arm above your head and bring it straight down. Dog should sit right in front of you.
DOWN  Signal by pointing to or touching the ground. Dog should lay down.
HEEL  Dog walks at your left side behind you enough to follow your lead, at your pace. When you stop, the dog stops & sits.
 KENNEL  Dog should go into what ever you are pointing at; the car, kennel, into a door opening.
 ALL DONE  the dog is free to go play.
FETCH  Signal by holding your hand at your hip, then swing your arm up towards the item you have thrown. Dog should go pick up whatever you have just thrown. Dog should return to you and give you the item when you command “give.”  If he won’t give you the item, squeeze his bottom jaw & say “give” until he releases, then “good boy!”

Josiah training

We offer the following training:

BASIC OBEDIENCE
  • Sit
  • Stay
  • Come
  • Heel
  • Down
  • Recall
BASIC HUNTING
  • Everything in Basic Obedience, plus
  • Intro to water
  • Intro to gunfire
  • Line Retrieves
  • Double Retrieves
  • Blind Retrieves

4H showTraining Tips

Never give a command without making your dog complete the command. Example: “Abby, come.” If Abby runs away, go get her and make her sit in front of you, then stand 6 feet in front of her and repeat “Abby, come.” When she comes, reward her. Now, she has gone from feeling out of sorts with you to pleasing you, after you had her complete the command.

Use single word commands only. Speak clearly & firmly: enunciate with the dogs name first. Say his name to get his attention. “Abby, COME”, not “Come on you can do it, yes, you can come, come here…yeah, that’s right!”

Mix training time with your daily routine. Make your dog sit, stay, then come for his food each time you feed him. Repeat the sit/stay/come, or sit/down/stay/come routine when you enter or leave the yard.
Retrieving is a great way to exercise your dog. It should be a fun time for the dog, and it’s a great way to reinforce sit, stay & come.

Don’t expect your dog to like you if you never play with him. Pets need play time and training time. You can mix the two and have great success.

Rates

We charge $1600 per month. The boarding of your dog is included, but you will need to provide food, or we can provide the food at your expense.

The dog must be current on all shots.