What should I ask a gun dog trainer before I hire one?

Hiring a trainer is a big decision for you and your dog. Good trainers expect questions. Use this list, which blends AKC guidance on choosing a dog trainer with questions specific to gun dogs.

Start with methods and philosophy

The AKC advises asking about the trainer's methods and philosophy and making sure you are comfortable with them. Ask how the trainer corrects mistakes, rewards good work and handles a dog that is nervous or overexcited.

For gun dogs, ask how the trainer protects the dog's hunting drive while building control. Richard's stated philosophy is "Balance, encouraging the hunting drive and desire in the dog, coupled with the necessary 'team player' attitude to develop an exceptional hunting partner or competitive team." Every trainer words this differently, so listen to the answer and compare.

Experience and credentials

The AKC suggests asking about education and credentials, and notes that trainers may have apprenticed or studied formally. California does not license dog trainers (ABC7, April 13, 2023), so credentials come from experience, mentors and work you can see. Good questions:

• How long have you trained, and under whom?
• Have you worked with my breed and my kind of hunting: waterfowl, upland or both?
• Do you run dogs in hunt tests or field trials, or hunt over dogs yourself?
• Can you share references from past owners?

Richard has trained dogs professionally since 2002, learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti, and expanded to pointers and other upland breeds in 2013 under Steve Klassen. He runs dogs at local weekend AKC retriever hunt tests. Read more on the Richard Gebhart page.

Watch the work

The AKC says to watch a class in person before deciding, because a website or brochure is not enough. It suggests watching the dogs and students as much as the trainer, and noticing whether the trainer is patient, encouraging and respectful.

For gun dogs, ask to see a training session or a hunt test where the trainer is handling. You will learn more in an hour on the ground than from any list.

What happens to your dog

If the dog will stay with the trainer, ask what a day looks like: where the dog sleeps, how often it works, how it is exercised and what happens if it gets sick or hurt. Ask what the plan is and how it changes when the dog progresses faster or slower than expected.

Ask whether the trainer sets the length and cost of the program after seeing the dog. Be wary of anyone who quotes a fixed outcome before meeting your dog.

What happens to you

The AKC suggests asking whether lessons cover how dogs learn and communicate, and whether they include the whole household. For gun dogs the question is simple: will I be taught to run this dog?

Richard trains handlers alongside their dogs in one-on-one or group lessons. See handler lessons, or board-and-train if the dog will stay for a stretch.

How progress is shared

Ask how often you will hear about your dog and in what form. See how progress updates work for the answer here. Whatever the trainer's system, you should know what the dog can do and what comes next.