Im sure we will talk all things Soggy Acres Retrievers and SportingDog Adventures as well.

If you want to get some insightful information about our appearance at Game fair, Kennel or new Television show dont miss the interview.

I will also be at Game Fair all weekend for Native on stage and at the retriever pond!!

Heres the link for KFAN were you can listen to the show live online.

http://www.kfan.com/main.html

The class will focus on everything from obedience to handling drills for your retriever.  Both upland and waterfowl hunting training tactics will be covered.  Handlers will be shown first hand how to implement the tactics with their dogs.

Once the class is over video clips of the training techniques will be posted and any troubleshooting questions that arise will be answered promptly.

Dont miss out on a great opportunity to get off your couch with your hunting buddy and get prepared for the upcoming season.

There are several spots available in the class, and total participants will be capped at 12 dog and handler teams.

Feel free to email or call with questions.

Jeff Fuller 2622159683

The timing of the retriever training workshop/seminar is perfect to get your gundog ready for the fall. We will cover how to get your dog to a level of training that will set your best friend up for success in the nearing hunting season.

Learn the secrets we have used in our training program to put out numerous quality hunting dogs.

Three Day Workshop

Thursday Class starting on June 24th is full.
Wednesday Class starting on June 23rd has one opening.

Three day workshop from July 16th thru 18th there are four openings.

We just opened up the six week class on wednesday and only have one spot left. We also just posted the workshop a week or so ago and have it half filled……long story short…..dont wait too long if you want to get your hound in the class. I will also have several slots available for those without dogs in each class for half price.

These classes will be taught in a group atmosphere and focus on getting your retriever to a basic gundog level. The class goal is to give clear instruction on everything in the course outline. All demonstrations will be taped and put in a youtube account for you to review once the class is over.

If you are seriously looking to learn the proven training techniques we have used at Soggy Acres Retrievers with our Labrador Retrievers dont miss out on our class!

I may add an August workshop if we have enough interest as well.

Feel free to call me with any and all questions about our Basic Gundog Training classes and workshop. Attached is the flyer with outline for the course.

Training Flyer

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

We have long been asked to help in the training of the Labrador Retrievers we sell. Due to our kennel size we are unable to take dogs in for full service training. At the request of some of our clients we have decided to start retriever training classes that will meet once per week. There will be two different classes to start:

The first will be titled “The Hunting Puppy.”
This three week course will center on obedience and early training a puppy needs prior to formal gundog training. We will take 8 handlers with retriever pups under the age of 6 months. Each handler will be taught the concepts of training a young pup and techniques to prepare their puppy of adulthood and formal gundog training.

The second course offered will be titled “Basic Gundog Training.”
This will be a 6 week course where your dog is taken from a pup, to a Gundog. We will teach the concepts in obedience, force fetch, collar conditioning, Marking, Quartering and Flushing, and end with field work and live birds. This will be hands on with only 6 handlers and dogs being accepted for each class.

Our classes will be held on our properties in Southern WI, in town of Delavan. We have some of the most diverse property at our disposal, including 43 acres and 6 different ponds.

There will be training equipment needed during the course of the school. We do sell all of the needed equipment and will give a 5% discount on listed prices for all class registrants.

These classes should fill up fast once we have the dates set. Please contact us if you have any questions about the training classes or the equipment you may need.

I will also have our Labrador Retriever Stud Rommel to do several demos of the training techniques.

They may still have tickets available for the banquet being held in the Wisconsin Dells, WI at the Wilderness Lodge.

Hope to see you all there……I have a copy of the seminar outline below.

Finding a Pup and Basic Training

Overview

The purpose of the seminar will be to inform potential and current puppy owners how to first find a breeder, how to pick your pup, what to work on with you pup from take home to formal training.

1. Finding a Breeder

• Online Search
• Clubs
• Word of Mouth
• Newspaper
• Breed and Hunting Magazines

2.    Interviewing potential Breeders

• Speak to potential breeders at length and discuss their breeding philosophy and programs.
• Visit the kennel to ensure that they have a clean and professional facility.
• Ask for references from either pro trainers or from past clients.  If possible meet several of the dogs at the kennel.
• Ask for and review a copy of the health guarantee
• Talk to the breeder about the parents health clearances – to include hips, eyes, and other genetic issues the breed carries

-Make sure that the puppy comes with a quality health guarantee.  There are numerous people selling pups without health guarantees or a guarantee that is essentially smoke and mirrors.  By that I mean that there appears to be a guarantee, but there is a clause that either doesn’t provide the full balance to be transferable to a future or pup or the pup with health problems has to be returned.  By asking that a pup be returned to enforce a guarantee its my opinion that the breeder is banking on the pup owner not returning their pet of several years, thus they do not have to replace the pup.  At a minimum the breeder should provide the purchase price of a pup to be applied to a pup of a future litter.  The client would also be allowed to keep the other pup, if desired.

-Finding a quality breeder you are comfortable with is far more important than timing.  Take your time and get a good pup with great genetics.  Make sure parents have clearances on hips and eyes.  Also realize that the purchase price of your pup will be one of the cheapest parts of the equation.  Don’t purchase a pup with price alone being the determining factor.

Question Period

1. Picking Your Future Champion

• If possible visit the litter on several occasions.  Pups are more active times from one time to another.
• Be sure to ask your breeder which pup would best fit your desired characteristics.
• The breeder is around the pup for seven weeks and should have a good idea about which pups are more dominant, social, adventurous etc.
• If frozen birds or bird wings are not made available acquire some prior to visits and pick up.
• Take notes on which pups exhibit the traits you desire.

-Prior to take home a new pup owner should have the basics: Crate, lead, collar, bowls for food and water, a quality food, puppy bumpers, 30’ check cord, whistle, lanyard, bird scent and bands, and a good book to reference.

Short question period

3.   Training from take home to the beginning of formal training.

• Now is one of the most critical periods in your pup’s life.
• House breaking is the first major hurdle.

- Crate training as an aide

• Teach the sit, one whistle sit, here and heal commands.

-I personally use food treats to elicit my desired response.  Once the pup is consistent I substitute praise for the reward.  It’s important not to put too much pressure on the pup at this point.  We are going to focus on using praise and make training fun.  Keep sessions short, about ten minutes, and try to do one or two per day.

• Start developing retrieving desire with “puppy retrieves”.  These retrieves should be short and emphasize making them fun.  Encourage delivery to hand.    Five to Ten retrieves per day is plenty for your pup.
• Work with your pup on a lead.
• Take your pup to different locations when working with them.
• If possible put them in a boat or blind.  Now is the time to begin to introduce the pup to environments they will be exposed to in hunting or competition.  If done now it won’t seem foreign once your formal training begins.
• Now is also a good time to introduce the pup to the concept of gunfire.
• As often as possible have birds for the pup to work with.  Keep it under a controlled atmosphere.  Nothing keeps up a pup’s spirits more than birds.  I always have wings, frozen birds and try to have live birds for my pups at least once per month.

Equipment Needed For this Period

Short Question Period

Force Fetch

• Force Fetch is the beginning of the formal training period.

• The most common method of force fetch is the ear pinch.
• In this method the fetch and hold command are elicited and reinforced using a pain stimulus.
• The ear pinch teaches the dog to reach for the desired item, in this case a bumper, and to hold the bumper until commanded to drop.
• Demonstration of force fetch
• From the force table or raised surface you will work toward walking with your dog and fetching from the ground.  This is called walking fetch.

• Demonstration
• When the dog will appropriately pick up the bumpers when commanded you utilize a crop or healing stick to incorporate into walking fetch.
• Demonstration

Collar Conditioning

• Collar conditioning is one of the most crucial periods of training
• A dog must be completely through, and properly trained to avoid a collar-wise dog.
• Understanding of commands being used
• Proper timing of correction

Quarter-Flush Drills

• Have plenty of birds to start out. 
• Introduce the dog to the concept of quartering with the help of a second person. 
• Set your field with live or dead birds and call the dog back and forth. 
• Have the dog “discover” the birds when he reaches his destination
• Once the dog understands the concept of quartering introduce live birds
• Move to different types of cover and repeat the drill

Short Discussion Period

Equipment needed for the Basic Training Period

One of the biggest mistakes an owner can make, whether a pet or hunting dog, is to not have a good e-collar.  There are numerous models on the market of varying price ranges.  My suggestion is to find you collar not necessarily by price, but by performance, durability, and functionality.

Other items needed are bumpers, dokken ducks, scent, and lots of live birds.  There are stores that offer all of the above in kits so a buyer can get it in one shot.

When you are working with your dog try to put them in realistic situations.  Joining training groups, going to seminars, working with retrieving clubs and hiring a pro trainer are all great ways to ensure your young dog will know what to expect once in the field.

By having realistic situations I am looking at having someone throw retrieves for you at greater distances.

Working with you pup out of a boat, from behind a blind, or with other dogs around in a competition atmosphere.  Some of the biggest mistakes people make is not providing a dog with the opportunity to work in an environment and then thrusting them into it and expecting them to perform.

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.

Well, Floppy Ears needs to be introduced to his/her new electric friend. No, its not a television with that fancy DVD. It’s not a radio with a book on tape. Floppy needs to meet the electric training collar. There are many models out there so take heed in purchasing the model and manufacturer that works for you.

Once the collar has been fitted, work with Floppy for a few days on each command. Make sure that Floppy has no doubt what you are asking with each command. Now use the collar to reinforce the command “Sit.” When Floppy understands, due to proper timing, what the command and consequences for disobeying are move onto the command “Here.” Again, work with Floppy until you have your obedient, desired response.

If Floppy’s fearless leader and head trainer is a novice find a good book or DVD to assist in the correct timing and application of your electric request for performance.