---
title: What Age to Start Gun Dog Training | Royal Gun Dogs
url: https://royalgundogs.com/faq/what-age-to-start/
business: Royal Gun Dogs
trainer: Richard Gebhart (professional gun dog trainer since 2002)
phone: (530) 341-4496
email: royalgundogs@yahoo.com
trains_at: Hastings Island Hunting Preserve, 7758 Hastings Island Rd, Rio Vista, CA 94571 (Solano County)
booking: call or text Richard directly
---

- [Home](https://royalgundogs.com/)
- [FAQ](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/)
- What age can a dog start gun dog training?

# What age can a dog start gun dog training?

Richard Gebhart likes to start pups in Puppy Camp when they are 5 to 7 months old, and asks owners to send the pup's rabies certificate at 16 weeks to get on his books. Pointers then hunt until they are over a year old before formal whoa work; for an older dog, call Richard about where it should start.

Owners worry about starting too early and about starting too late. Richard's own answer is 5 to 7 months for Puppy Camp, and over a year for a pointer's formal whoa work. What follows is that answer and the general picture around it.

## Puppies

Richard likes to get pups started at 5 to 7 months in [Puppy Camp](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/puppy-camp/), his 2 to 3 week introduction to birds and the shotgun for pointers and retrievers. To get on his books for it, send a copy of the pup's rabies certificate at 16 weeks of age. For a pointer, he likes owners to hunt the dog after Puppy Camp until it is over a year old, then bring it back for [Formal Gun Dog Training](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/formal-gun-dog-training/).

The guide on [when to start a hunting puppy](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/when-to-start-a-hunting-puppy/) goes through the stages in more detail.

## Adult dogs

A two- or three-year-old that has never been trained is not too old. Ask Richard where an older retriever should start; the [Basic Waterfowl Program](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/basic-waterfowl/) is the foundation for waterfowl work. Richard has worked with dogs from top-level field trial and hunt test prospects to everyday hunting dogs and home companions.

## One age number to know

For AKC retriever hunt tests, a dog must be registered, an eligible breed and at least 6 months old to enter, per the AKC. That is an entry rule for tests, not a training start date.

### Sources (2)

- American Kennel Club : [akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/join/](https://www.akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/join/) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Hastings Island Hunting Preserve : [hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/](https://hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/) (checked October 27, 2026)

### Your trainer

Richard Gebhart has trained dogs professionally since 2002, learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti, and has run and qualified at an AKC Master National.

[Meet Richard](https://royalgundogs.com/richard-gebhart/)

### Related

- [When should a hunting puppy start training?](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/when-to-start-a-hunting-puppy/)
- [Puppy Camp](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/puppy-camp/)
- [Started dog or puppy: which fits you?](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/started-dog-or-puppy/)
- [How do I book training with Richard?](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/how-to-book-training/)

## Related questions

[All questions](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/)

### Is my older dog too late?

Tell Richard what the dog has done and he will say where to begin.

### Does my puppy need vaccinations first?

Keep them current with your veterinarian. The [vaccinations page](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/vaccinations-and-health/) has the general picture.