--- title: Gun Dog Training & Board-and-Train, CA | Royal Gun Dogs url: https://royalgundogs.com/ 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 --- # Bird dogs built in the Delta, for Hunts all over California. Royal Gun Dogs is Richard Gebhart's gun dog training: Puppy Camp, waterfowl and pointing-dog board-and-train programs and private and group lessons at Hastings Island Hunting Preserve near Rio Vista, for dogs from all over California. Training dogs professionally since 2002. ## The season clock Ducks, Oct 24, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 Pheasant general, Nov 14, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 Spring & fall AKC retriever hunt tests Weekend tests run by local clubs; Richard runs dogs and helps clients at them. [See the calendar](https://royalgundogs.com/hunt-tests/california-calendar/) ## From Puppy Camp to cold blinds Richard’s own programs, lengths and weekly rates (as of October 2026). All four are board-and-train at Hastings Island. [Retrievers ### Basic & Advanced Waterfowl Basic: obedience, force fetch, e-collar conditioning and hunting scenarios. Advanced: steadiness in the blind, the T drills, wagon-wheel casting, lining, diversions and cold blinds. Basic: 10 to 16 weeks · $325 a week Advanced: 4 to 12 weeks · $325 a week Waterfowl programs](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/basic-waterfowl/)[Pointing dogs ### Formal Gun Dog Training Formal whoa work founded on obedience, once a pointer is over a year old and has hunted. 8 to 12 weeks · $325 a week plus birds Pointing dogs](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/formal-gun-dog-training/)[Pups 5-7 months ### Puppy Camp Birds and the shotgun for pointer and retriever pups, upland oriented. Includes birds, boarding, food and training six days a week. 2 to 3 weeks · $450 a week Puppy Camp](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/puppy-camp/)[You ### Private & group lessons Handler lessons at Hastings Island and Denverton, for owners of dogs in training and owners working with their own. Lessons](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/lessons/)[How it works ### Board-and-train Drop-off Wednesday to Saturday. Book a month out, six weeks is better. Dogs come from all over California. Booking and rates](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/board-and-train/) ## Which program fits my dog? Three questions, no sign-up. It points you to a starting place; Richard sets the real plan with you by phone. How old is your dog? Under 5 months 5 to 7 months 8 to 12 months Over a year What kind of dog? Retriever Pointer Spaniel / other What do you want most? A hunting partner AKC hunt tests Basics done, more polish To handle my own dog better A good place to start ### Puppy Camp Richard likes to start pointer and retriever pups at 5 to 7 months: 2 to 3 weeks of birds and the shotgun, $450 a week with birds, boarding, food and training six days a week. - Send the rabies certificate at 16 weeks to get on the books - 90% of pups finish in 2 weeks - Next: Basic Waterfowl for retrievers; for pointers, a season of hunting first ## Is your dog ready for the line? Check what your dog does reliably today. This is a general guide to the AKC retriever hunt test levels, not a judge’s scoresheet. Richard assesses every dog in person. ### ### Junior Hunter Junior Comes, sits and stays on command outdoors Retrieves single marks on land Retrieves single marks from water Delivers the bird to hand ### ### Senior Hunter Senior Steady at the line until sent Remembers double marks Runs a blind retrieve on whistle and cast Honors another dog’s work ### ### Master Hunter Master Multiple marks, including retired birds Multiple blinds through hazards and decoys Handles diversions and still delivers Where your dog stands Start with the basics Check what your dog does reliably today. The Basic Waterfowl Program builds the skills a Junior test asks for. 0 of 11 skills checked Send my result to Richard Richard has run and qualified at an AKC Master National, and runs dogs and assists clients at local weekend AKC retriever hunt tests. Two black Labs at the AKC Master National ## Richard Gebhart An avid upland and waterfowl hunter, Richard has trained dogs professionally since 2002, from top-level field trial and hunt test dogs to everyday hunting dogs and family companions. He trains handlers too, one-on-one or in group lessons. - 2002 Starts training dogs professionally - Rex Carr method Learned under Billy Sargenti with field trial retrievers - 2013 Pointers and upland breeds under Steve Klassen, Blue Ridge Kennels - Master National Has run and qualified at an AKC Master National “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.” ## Hastings Island & Denverton Delta water, tule edges and open fields in Solano County. ### Hastings Island Hunting Preserve 7758 Hastings Island Rd, outside Rio Vista, is Richard’s primary location. He still uses Denverton, near Suisun City, for advanced retriever work and lessons. Dogs come in from all over California for board-and-train; the Delta is where they train, and home is wherever you hunt. Richard says he is training dogs from as far as San Diego right now. Hours as listed on Google - **Monday:** 8 AM - 2 PM - **Tuesday:** Closed - **Wednesday - Sunday:** 8 AM - 2 PM Mon and Wed-Sun 8 AM-2 PM, closed Tue. Hours as listed on Google. Call before you drive out. Preferred drop-off days: Wednesday to Saturday. [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Hastings+Island+Hunting+Preserve+Rio+Vista+CA&destination_place_id=ChIJA_E9R8AphYAR_4YnvcqbaAU) ## What dog owners say 4.9 ★★★★★ from 12 Google reviews. ★★★★★ Every once in a while you meet someone who is an absolute master at their craft. That’s the first thing that comes to mind describing Richard. The level of knowledge and... Jimmy P. · Google review, 2026 ★★★★★ My wife and I were no so concerned sending our puppy away for 2-4 months for training. The first thing we noticed when we saw him after his first two weeks was how... Donn P. · Google review, 2026 [Read all 12 Google reviews](https://royalgundogs.com/reviews/) ## Straight answers [All questions](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/) ### How do I get my dog into training? Call or text Richard at (530) 341-4496 . He books directly and will talk through your dog's age, breed and goals before he sets a plan. ### Do I have to live near Rio Vista? No. Owners bring dogs from all over California for board-and-train. The training happens at Hastings Island near Rio Vista; Richard will talk through drop-off and pick-up on the call. ### Which breeds does Richard train? Retrievers such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers, plus pointers and other upland breeds, which he has trained since 2013. Ask him about your dog's breed on the call. ### Will I learn to handle my dog? Yes. Richard trains handlers alongside their dogs, in one-on-one or group lessons, so the training keeps working after your dog comes home. ### Does Richard help at AKC hunt tests? Yes. He runs dogs and assists clients at local weekend AKC retriever hunt tests, and he has run and qualified at an AKC Master National. ### When should I call before duck season? Call early. Richard will tell you what fits your dog's age and training level and how much time there is before the opener.