You can download a flyer for your convenience! CLICK HERE

Basic Gundog Training Class

The purpose of this class will be to teach the dog and handler techniques needed for basic gundog skills. The class will meet over a 6 week period, once per week, and work on basic commands and skills needed to train a gundog. The class will be hands on with one instructor per four dogs and handlers. Each dog will be evaluated and worked with one on one for a period of time during each session, with the balance of the training being in a group atmosphere.

We are limiting the class to 4 dogs with handlers. We will allow an additional person for each group to observe, but want to limit the amount of distraction for the dog and handler teams. Persons without dogs are welcome as well at a discounted rate.

The first class will start in June and be held on Thursday evenings from 630 pm to 830 pm. The last or sixth class will be held on a Saturday and last four hours.

Course Outline

I. Evaluation of dogs and handlers
A. The experience and level of each dog and handler will be evaluated.
B. Discuss goals for the course
C. Discuss/Explain training techniques and methods

II. Basic Obedience
A. Sit, Here, Kennel and Down Commands
B. Use of Whistle Commands

III. Force Fetch
A. Table work
B. Walking Fetch
C. Stick Fetch
D. Collar Fetch

IV. E-Collar Conditioning
A. E-collar introduction using the sit and here commands
B. Re-enforcement of commands
C. Use in the field

V. Marking
A. Simple land marks
B. Simple water marks
C. Long Single Marks on both land and water

VI. Upland Hunting
A. Quarter/Flush Drills
B. Mock Hunt

All birds are included in the cost of the class. We will have both ducks and upland birds for the training class. Expectations are that the dogs in the class will have a basic knowledge of obedience commands prior to its start. Equipment needed for the class is listed below and will be needed for the course. Soggy Acres Retrievers sells all of the products and can put the training packages together prior to the class.

The cost for the class is $250 per dog and handler. Handlers without dogs are $125 to observe the class. If possible I will provide demonstration dogs for observers.

We are limiting the class to four dogs with handlers. As classes fill we will add more as needed.

This class will be set up in a group training atmosphere. While the handler is not working directly with the instructor they will be expected to observe and learn through the experiences of other classmates. The course is set up to not only train your canine companion, but the handler as well. The main goal will be to train, demonstrate, and explain training methods that will allow the average handler to work effectively with their dog.

Equipment List

This is a list of equipment needed for the class
• Whistle and Lanyard
• Flat Buckle Collar
• 6 Foot Lead
• 1 Foot Lead
• Pinch Collar
• E-Collar (Optional, but highly desirable)
• Note Pad, Pen and Chair

Download your flyer – CLICK HERE

Soggy Acres will be in booth 806 and putting on a seminar each day.

We will be putting on our seminar Picking and Puppy and the First Six Months on the following dates at the following times:

Friday February 26th at 200 pm in seminar room 8
Saturday February 27th at 1200 pm in seminar room 8
Sunday February 28th at 100 pm in seminar room 8

The focus of the seminar will be on how to find a quality breeder, pick a puppy from a litter and training techniques. This will apply to all breeds, shapes and sizes of pups! Dont miss out on our seminar while you are at the show!

We will have question and answer periods for each part of the seminar as well, so bring your questions.

The first step is to chose a method of training to be applied. There are numerous books, periodicals, tapes and DVDs out there to use as a guide. But then the question arises, “which method would be right for Floppy and me?” A good answer to this question would be to first decide the final destination for Floppy Ears in his quest for higher learning. A good suggestion would also be to aim your training program in a direction so that once Floppy accomplishes your set goals, you can still ascend to new heights if desired at a later date. At this point the plan of attack should be to find a training program that is easy to understand for the trainer. If the trainer cannot figure out what the instructions are then it should not be expected for the pupil to magically accomplish the set goals.

The next step is to acquire the needed equipment for training Ole Floppy Ears. Do not try to cut costs and corners by not being fully equipped to implement your chosen training plan. Floppy will gain most of his/her knowledge during these tender years so make sure you have the tools to help.

House breaking has begun……

But you really just want to get Floppy going on the all important puppy retrieve so you have a jump start on hunting season!

Well, now is the time to start all training with Floppy and you can definitely add in some puppy retrieves. The first thing you will need is a puppy bumper, or 2 inch bumper. Floppy doesn’t need a squeaky toy, as this would only incite Floppy to chomp down for the sound effects.

Start with Floppy in the house and throw short retrieves in a controlled environment. I like to use a hallway or smaller room so I can keep Floppy under control and you dont get into a chase scenario trying to recover the bumper. Throw the bumper for Floppy 4 to 6 times and encourage delivery to hand. I’d keep it pretty simple and not too taxing on the Floppinator. There is no need to perform too many retrieves as keeping Floppy happy and interested is a huge factor in early training.

Eventually move the game outside. If Floppy begins to claim the prize and run away incorporate a 30 foot check cord to control the situation. As progress is made Floppy can handle longer retrieves in different areas. Just remember to keep it fun!

To Treat or Not to treat

Well you have successfully chosen your puppy. Now the training phase begins. The question is posed, should treats be utilized for motivation during training? There are varying opinions on this subject. Some trainers say to use the insatiable appetite possessed by a pup or young dog. Others say that using treats is amateurish and unneeded.

What a dog owner needs to look at when deciding whether or not to use treats, is how the treat will be used to motivate their pupil. Using treats can be a great tool for getting their attention and motivating a pup or young dog. There are different methods that can be used, in concert with treats to teach these young pupils how to respond appropriately to certain commands. Once the pup understands and performs the command the motivating morsels can slowly be replaced with a soothing compliment. After the performance is perfected in response to the current command, you can use the well known puppy prize for a head start on future skills.

What matters most when deciding how to proceed with your early training is looking at what motivates your student. If the answer is “treats” then play on your puppy’s love of kibble, milkbones, or hot dog chunks. You can use their love for food to accomplish training goals with greater ease.

If you are still skeptical about the method of using food rewards for training then incorporate it for teaching at least one command. Hopefully after using this style for one facet of your pup’s education you will be able to decide “to treat or not to treat.”

First let’s look at how dogs police themselves……after all dogs play all the time, both old and young. What would the ramifications for Floppy be if he or she was a tad harsh in nipping at an old hound? The answer is that Floppy would be immediately and decisively dealt with. The old hound would first growl and voice its displeasure. The next step would be to bite the Flopster on the muzzle. If the problem persisted Floppy would be bit with such force that the reward for his or her poor behavior would be too harsh of a penalty.

As for people…. Floppy would likely look at you funny if you growled. Most don’t want to bite Floppy as well. With that said Floppy will get the picture with a stern “No” and a rap on the muzzle. You can mix in a good squeeze on the muzzle to fix the problem as well. Remember…..if the problem exists, in the dog world, the reaction would increase in intensity making the punishment fit the crime.