Retriever Programs
Coming soon!
Check back for updates and availability for Fall 2026
Programs:
Hunting Retriever Puppy Foundations Program
Bird, Gunfire & Obedience Conditioning (Under 12 Months)
For young hunting dogs who need proper early exposure, structure, and confidence-building—without rushing maturity.
This program is designed specifically for puppies and adolescent dogs under one year of age who are being raised for hunting. The focus is on positive exposure, environmental confidence, and foundational habits that support future advanced training.
This is not a finishing program. This is about building the right dog from the start.
Program Overview
Age Range: Under 12 months
Duration: 6 weeks
Sessions: 1 private lesson per week
Session Length: 60–75 minutes
Format: Owner + puppy, guided exposure & coaching
Location: Ranch / field environments
Training Focus
Live Bird Exposure (Age-Appropriate)
Introduction to live birds in a controlled, low-pressure way
Encouraging curiosity and confidence
Preventing fear, avoidance, or over-arousal
Building interest without forcing retrieves
No pressure retrieves. No flooding. Progress is puppy-led. No toe hitching, no ear pinching.
Gunfire Conditioning (Blank Gunfire Only)
Distance-based exposure to blank gunfire
Pairing sound with positive experiences
Preventing noise sensitivity through proper timing
Gradual progression only as the puppy shows readiness
Basic Obedience Foundations
Name recognition and engagement
Sit, recall, and beginning leash manners
Teaching the puppy how to learn through reward systems
Building clarity without over-cueing
Place Command & Impulse Control
Introduction to place/bed/platform
Calm duration on place
Teaching the puppy to settle while still engaged
Early impulse control without suppression
Kennel & Home Manners
Calm kennel entry and exit
Reducing vocalization and frustration behaviors
Building comfort with confinement
Creating predictable routines
Reward Conditioning
Marker training (verbal or clicker-based)
Food and toy reward development
Teaching value for working with the handler
Setting the stage for future reinforcement schedules
Owner Education (Core Component)
Reading puppy stress vs. excitement
How to safely expose birds and sounds at home
Preventing common puppy mistakes in hunting homes
Age-appropriate expectations for hunting prospects
Who This Program Is For
✔️ Hunting-bred retriever puppies
✔️ Young dogs being raised for future hunting work
✔️ Owners who want to do it right from the beginning
✔️ Puppies who need structure, confidence, and exposure
❌ Not appropriate for adult dogs
❌ Not designed for forced retrieves or pressure-based work
❌ Not a substitute for advanced hunting programs
What’s Included
6 private puppy training sessions
Live bird exposure (age and temperament appropriate)
Blank gunfire conditioning
Customized homework and exposure plans
Field-based learning environments
Ongoing guidance between sessions
Important Notes
All exposure is ethical, gradual, and puppy-led.
This program prioritizes confidence, neutrality, and long-term success over speed.
Completion of this program strongly prepares dogs for future advanced hunting retriever training.
Retriever Hunting Dog – 4-Week Private Lesson Program
Designed for hunting retrievers who need structure, reliability, and clear communication—without sending their dog away.
This private lesson program is built for owners who want a capable, confident retriever in real hunting environments and who want to understand how to train and handle their dog effectively in the field.
Training focuses on foundational and intermediate retriever skills, steadiness, and obedience that directly translate to successful days in the blind.
Program Overview
Investment
$1900 total
(4 private lessons over 4 weeks)
Duration: 4 weeks
Sessions: 1 private lesson per week
Session Length: 60–90 minutes
Format: Owner + dog, hands-on coaching
Location: Ranch / field environments with real distractions
What We Work On
Foundations for the Hunting Retriever
Clear obedience expectations (heel, sit, recall)
Leash and off-leash responsiveness
Calm engagement around environmental distractions
Retrieving Skills
Building clean retrieves and reliable delivery to hand
Hold and carry fundamentals
Encouraging drive while maintaining control
Steadiness & Impulse Control
Sitting calmly while birds or bumpers are thrown
Preventing breaking and creeping
Teaching the dog to wait for release
Introduction to Hunting Concepts
Directional handling basics (simple casting concepts)
Patterned retrieves
Exposure to hunting-style setups and scenarios
Owner Education
Reading your dog’s arousal and drive levels
How to reinforce skills outside of sessions
Common retriever training mistakes and how to avoid them
Who This Program Is For
✔️ Owners with retrievers purchased for hunting
✔️ Young hunting dogs needing structured foundations
✔️ Owners who want to train alongside their dog
✔️ Dogs with drive but inconsistent control
❌ Not designed for advanced competition-level field trial dogs, this is basics
What’s Included
4 private, one-on-one training sessions
Customized weekly training goals
Homework drills tailored to your dog
Field-based training environments
Ongoing guidance between sessions as needed
📍 Limited availability to ensure quality, individualized instruction.
Important Notes
Live birds, gunfire conditioning, or advanced field trial work are not included in this program but may be added later if appropriate.
Dogs must be healthy, current on vaccinations, and able to safely work in field environments.
This program prioritizes clarity, reliability, and real-world usefulness, not rushed results.
Advanced Retriever Hunting Dog – 8-Week Private Lesson Program
For hunting retrievers ready to move beyond basics and perform with consistency, steadiness, and confidence in real hunting scenarios.
This program is designed for dogs who have completed foundational retriever training (or equivalent experience) and are ready for more demanding field work, increased expectations, and greater handler accountability.
The focus shifts from learning skills to performing them reliably under pressure.
Program Overview
Investment
$2500.00 total
(8 private lessons over 8 weeks)
💡 Priority scheduling given to dogs completing the 4-Week Retriever Program.
Duration: 8 weeks
Sessions: 1 private lesson per week
Session Length: 90 minutes
Format: Owner + dog, advanced hands-on coaching
Location: Ranch, field, and water environments
What We Work On
Advanced Obedience for the Field
Off-leash heel and recall under distraction
Remote control and responsiveness at distance
Maintaining obedience with elevated arousal
Advanced Retrieving Skills
Consistent delivery to hand
Multiple retrieves in sequence
Memory retrieves and longer distances
Steadiness & Blind Manners
Remaining steady through thrown marks and movement
Preventing breaking, vocalizing, and creeping
Calm behavior in simulated blind setups
Handling & Directional Work
Casting fundamentals (back, over, simple directional cues)
Introduction to blind retrieves
Handler timing, positioning, and clarity
Water Retrieves (when appropriate)
Confident water entries and exits
Maintaining focus and drive in water
Transitioning skills from land to water
Hunting Scenario Training
Simulated hunting setups
Working through distractions, delays, and downtime
Teaching the dog to stay engaged without self-releasing
Owner Education (Advanced Level)
Reading subtle stress and over-arousal signals
When to push vs. when to reset
How to maintain training during hunting season
Preventing regression between hunts
Who This Program Is For
✔️ Dogs who completed the 4-Week Retriever Program or equivalent
✔️ Hunting dogs preparing for the upcoming season
✔️ Owners who want reliability, not guesswork
✔️ Teams ready to work at greater distances and complexity
❌ Not suitable for dogs without solid obedience foundations
❌ Not intended for high-level field trial competition prep
What’s Included
8 private, advanced-level training sessions
Progressive weekly training plans
Field and water exposure (as appropriate)
Ongoing support between sessions
Customized recommendations for equipment and drills
Optional Add-Ons
Additional water retrieve sessions
Pre-season tune-up weekends
Transition into board & train or seasonal maintenance programs
Important Notes
Live birds and gunfire conditioning are not included but may be introduced later for appropriate dogs.
Dogs must be physically conditioned for field and water work.
This program emphasizes clarity, steadiness, and usefulness in real hunts, not rushed results.
Finished Retriever Hunting Dog Program
Live Bird & Gunfire Conditioning
For hunting retrievers preparing for real hunts, real pressure, and real-world performance.
This advanced private lesson program is designed for dogs who already have strong foundations and are ready to work with live birds, blank gunfire, and realistic hunting scenarios. The focus is on steadiness, reliability, and composure—so your dog performs when it matters most.
This is not a beginner program. This is where dogs transition from trained to finished hunting partners.
Program Overview
Investment
$3,400 total
📍 Limited enrollment due to bird availability and training intensity.
Duration: 10 weeks
Sessions: 1 private lesson per week
Session Length: 90–120 minutes
Format: Owner + dog, advanced field coaching
Location: Ranch, field, and water environments
Training Focus
Advanced Obedience Under Pressure
Off-leash control at distance
Reliable recall and compliance during high arousal
Maintaining structure around birds and gunfire
Live Bird Introduction & Work
Controlled exposure to live birds
Channeling prey drive into clean retrieves
Preventing mouthing, dropping, or shaking birds
Calm delivery to hand
Blank Gunfire Conditioning
Gradual, ethical gunfire introduction
Pairing sound with positive, controlled work
Building confidence without flooding or suppression
Steady behavior during shots
Steadiness & Blind Manners
Remaining steady during bird movement and shots
Preventing breaking, creeping, vocalizing
Calm behavior in blind-style setups
Waiting for handler release
Advanced Retrieving & Handling
Multiple retrieves in sequence
Memory retrieves and increased distances
Directional casting (overs, backs, simple blinds)
Handler timing and positioning
Water Retrieves (When Appropriate)
Live bird or bumper water entries
Maintaining drive and focus in water
Clean exits and returns
Owner Education (Critical Component)
Reading arousal vs. stress signals
Managing pressure correctly during hunts
When to correct, when to reset
Maintaining reliability throughout hunting season
Who This Program Is For
✔️ Hunting retrievers with solid obedience and retrieve foundations
✔️ Dogs ready for live birds and gunfire
✔️ Owners actively hunting or preparing for season
✔️ Teams seeking consistency, not shortcuts
❌ Not suitable for green dogs
❌ Not for pet-only training goals
❌ Not appropriate for dogs with unresolved fear or instability
What’s Included
10 advanced private training sessions
Live bird work (as appropriate to the dog)
Blank gunfire conditioning
Field and water setups
Progressive training plan customized to the team
Ongoing guidance between sessions
Optional Add-On: Trial Preparation Track
For handlers interested in hunt tests or field trial-style work
This add-on focuses on polishing performance to trial standards and preparing the handler for test environments.
Includes:
Advanced handling precision
Multiple marks and blind retrieves
Trial-style setups and expectations
Handler strategy, pacing, and rules overview
Add-On Investment:
+$900 (must be paired with the Finished Retriever Program)
Important Notes
Live birds and gunfire are introduced only when the dog is ready—progression is dog-dependent.
This program prioritizes ethical exposure, clarity, and long-term reliability, not rushed timelines.
Additional bird costs may apply for extended or repeated bird-heavy sessions.