WaterDog Kennels Retriever Training -- Tips & FAQs

Start training right away, as soon as you get your puppy (at 7-8 weeks of age)
Be consistent in all training, never give up on your dog and never let him get away with anything
Play retrieving games often with your puppy, but don't' wear him out
Don't do any major formal obedience with your puppy, but walk him on a leash to the field to train and teach him to sit for his marks
Crate train your puppy, never let him roam outside or in the house unsupervised
Do not play tug of war with a retriever of any age
Praise your puppy for retrieving well and behaving properly
Properly and carefully introduce your puppy to gunfire and game (i.e., a pigeon or duck wing) at an early age
Follow your chosen training program and train consistently instead of sporadically
Know when to quit and don't push your dog to the point he becomes disenchanted with training or working
Introduce your dog to hunting ONLY after he has completed his basic training and is steady to shot UNLESS you are hunting ALONE. Do not let your dog ruin someone else's hunt because he is uncontrollable. Be a responsible handler and take your dog into the field only when he is ready and able to be in control.
Balance more difficult field and obedience work with fun and light retrieving when appropriate
Don't give commands that you cannot enforce or that your dog has not yet learned. Doing otherwise will only render those commands useless
Don't expect your dog to be a great hunting dog overnight. It takes AT LEAST one year on average of training and experience to have a truly good and dignified dog as well as for you to be a good handler in the field
Feed your dog a high-quality nutritious food that can keep up with the rigorous demands of his training and hunting schedule

For more great tips, check out Mike Lardy's totalretriever.com website and Dennis Voigt's website for Retrievers Online magazine.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: How long will it take to train my dog to hunt or compete?

Q: What training methods do you use?

Q: How can I learn to handle my dog that you've trained for me?

Q: What is your facility like?

Q: How do I know if my dog will do well in your program?

Q: Do you provide references?

Q: What makes you different from other trainers?

Q: How often do you train?

Q: I have an older retriever that I would like to have trained. Is it possible to train an older dog?

Q: How much time will you spend training my dog each day?

Q: Why do you require a six month minimum stay?

Q: How long will it take to train my dog to hunt or compete?
A: How long it takes to train a dog is dependent upon several factors, including: the dog's natural drive and desire, it's age, training it's already received, the ability of its owner/handler to work with the dog, and more. On average, a dog can complete the basics necessary to go on a simple hunt within about six months.

For a total package, including multiple marks and handling to blinds, expect a minimum of 12 months for the average dog to complete training and be reliable in the field.

For competition, we can have the average dog ready to complete an AKC Junior hunter title within 3-5 months, again dependent on the issues above.

Q: What training methods do you use?
A: We use a variety of methods throughout the progression from puppy and young dog work to finished dog work. You can see the training flowchart we use at Mike Lardy's totalretriever.com website. We also follow Mike's principles of training.

Q: How can I learn to handle my dog that you've trained for me?
A: We encourage owners to visit their dogs as frequently as possible. And we are glad to teach you how to handle your dog on these visits.

Q: What is your facility like?
A: You can visit our facility online.

Q: How do I know if my dog will do well in your program?
A: There are a few variables that come into play here. First, we have trained such a wide variety of personality types and training styles with the dogs we've trained to date that we feel we can train *just about* any decent retriever. We have a strong background in dog behavior and psychology and apply that our retriever training program. We've had both extremely stubborn and extremely submissive dogs train well in our program.

We provide free consultations and demonstrations to all potential clients, at which time we can evaluate your puppy or dog. In addition, we do a 30 day evaluation when you send your dog in for training. If we feel, within that period, that your dog may not be capable of progressing in our program, we will inform you at that time. In addition, we will provide you with progress reports throughout your dog's stay. As always, our clients are welcome to call any time to check on their dogs progress and make arrangements to visit during a training session.

Q: Do you provide references?
A: Absolutely. In fact, you can request them simply by emailing us.

Q: What makes you different from other trainers?
A: As a husband and wife team, we make retriever training our priority and our passion. You can be confident that we aren't going anywhere. This is our livelihood and our lifestyle. We are full-time team trainers. Virtually our entire lives are dedicated to the dogs we raise and train.

We actively run AKC hunt tests and occasionally field trials. Even if you are just looking for a gundog, you may really enjoy getting involved with hunt tests (or even trials if possible). You simply pay the entry fees (typically $40-$50 per event) plus handling fees.

We are accessible and we welcome and encourage your participation. We are very active with our clients and take the time to review their dog's progress and demonstrate what their dog has learned.

Finally, we are very active in the retriever community. For the past two years, we have been board members of the Atlanta Retriever Club. We have served on various hunt test and field trial committees, and have served as field trial and hunt test secretary for the Atlanta Retriever Club for three years. We have served as field trial secretary for the Professional Retriever Trainer's Association trial in Atlanta. We developed an online guide to everything retriever -- retrieverguide.com. This site features just about anything and everything to do with working retrievers. We have also participated in Mike Lardy's Basic/Transition and Advanced retriever training workshops.

Q: How often do you train?
A: We typically train Monday through Saturday. We take Sunday entirely off, except for an occasional hunt. As training is highly dependent on weather conditions, our schedule can be highly variable at different times of year.

Q: I have an older retriever that I would like to have trained. Is it possible to train an older dog?

Although it's definitely not impossible, there are concerns with training an older dog. We have trained older dogs, some with great success. However, on average, it usually takes a little more time and work.

Q: How much time will you spend training my dog each day?

Our program is GOAL-based. We are looking to reach, step by step, particular goals with each dog. These goals are based on Mike Lardy's retriever training program. Check out Mike's flowchart to get an idea of how this works. We aren't looking to spend a particular, exact amount of time with each dog. Rather, we look to accomplish specific goals within each lesson. Two dogs who are trained equally well may have taken different amounts of time each day, and more or less time overall, to achieve their training goals.

Q: Why do you require a six month minimum stay?

Any dog that we train is a reflection on our competency as trainers. We have determined that six months is a good minimal period that allows us to produce, on average, a well started retriever. In addition, it gives the owner enough time to learn how to handle their dog.

Site designed and managed by
Black Dog Marketing