In the short time that we may work with your dog, our focus is actually on showing you how to train your dog so that you can progress together in achieving your training goals. Dogs have tremendous capacity to learn – we just have to figure out how to communicate to them what we want. The ultimate goal is for dog and handler to function as a team when hunting and to enjoy being together whatever the activity. Training sessions are also a great place to meet other members with common training goals who might join you in future dog training activities.  For insurance and liability reasons, all participants in training days must be chapter members and have signed the chapter waiver (signature of parent required in the case of a youth participant).  

Monthly Training Days

Organized training days are typically held the last Saturday of each month February through July.  The Natural Ability (NA) training focuses on working with young dogs, e.g. introduction to birds, searching, and holding point, primarily activities evaluated in the Natural Ability Test.  The Beyond NA training helps handlers and their dogs move on to the more demanding activities including steadiness, searching and retrieving as required in higher levels of testing.  However, all dogs are welcome at training days where experienced trainers can answer questions, demonstrate training techniques and suggest means of solving any training problems you may be having. Registration is required for training days, and birds need to be purchased/arranged ahead of time.

Training Birds

Most of our NA training day activities with young dogs is done with quail (searching, pointing, re-locating) and pheasants (tracking).  Registration for the NA training ($25) includes a bird training package that provides all the quail contact and pheasant tracking a young dog can handle at a single session.  Quail are also usually available for sale @ $5. Early each year a chapter order is placed for chukars and ducks to be delivered mid-summer for field training and Duck Search preparation for the UPT and UT tests.   Pigeons may also be available from time to time.  

Additional Training Activities

In addition to the monthly training days, we hold at least one Duck Search training day for UPT and UT fall test entrants. The chapter is also organizing a series of training activities to address fundamental obedience elements so essential in training a dog to a high level of hunting performance. These are designed to make your dog a better hunting and personal companion and serve as a stepping stone to owners who wish to test their dogs at higher levels (UPT or UT).

Plus More...

We also provide access to various instructional videos and articles that will help you maintain a productive training regimen all year round. See links below explore our members only content.