TRAINING

Our Basic Retriever Training Program covers the essential skills every working retriever needs. Dogs learn on- and off-leash obedience, whistle commands, collar conditioning, force fetch (hold, fetch, and release), and foundational marking concepts on both land and water. Throughout the program, your dog will also be introduced to gunfire, decoys, live birds, dog blinds and stands, and a variety of realistic hunting environments.

Upon completing the program, your dog will respond reliably to verbal and whistle commands, remain reasonably steady to shot, retrieve single marks on land and water out to 100 yards or more, and deliver birds cleanly to hand.

By the end of Basics, your dog will be well-prepared for standard hunting situations. For those interested in competition, your dog should also be ready to successfully participate in HRC Started or AKC Junior-level hunt tests.

If you decide to continue into more advanced training, the foundation established in this program will fully support your dog’s progression.

Because the strength of a dog’s foundation is critical to long-term success, the Basic Program typically requires approximately six months to complete.

Advanced training begins with transition work. During this phase, your dog will learn a wide range of new skills while strengthening the foundation built during basic training. Dogs in transition are taught three-handed casting, remote sit, and force-to-pile work. A series of structured, increasingly complex drills develops the ability to run blind retrieves on both land and water. Your dog will also be introduced to more challenging marking scenarios, as well as the concepts of honoring, walk-ups, and various types of diversions—including diversion birds, auditory distractions, and scent distractions.

After transition, your dog will progress into fully refined handling. This includes literal casting, maintaining straight lines, running land and water triples and quads, and learning how to “fight the factors” such as wind, cover, terrain, and water influences. Your dog will develop advanced marking and blind retrieve skills, with an emphasis on precision, confidence, and consistency across increasingly difficult setups. Field scenarios will incorporate elements like poison birds, blinds under the arc, inline marks, and other advanced concepts common in upper-level hunt tests and field trials.

The time required for this program depends on your goals. For example, some owners simply want their dog to run clean, reliable blinds, while others aim for competitive achievements such as a QA2 title. At minimum, you should expect approximately four months to complete the transition phase.