Gun dog training programs

Pups start with Puppy Camp at 5 to 7 months, an upland-oriented introduction to birds and the shotgun for pointers and retrievers. Retrievers then move to the Basic Waterfowl Program and, if the owner wants more, the Advanced Waterfowl Program. Pointers go home to hunt until they are over a year old, then come back for Formal Gun Dog Training. Richard decides where your dog starts after he hears about it.

Board-and-train for dogs from all over California

All four programs are board-and-train: the dog stays and trains with Richard near Rio Vista, and dogs come from across the state. He prefers drop-off Wednesday to Saturday and likes dogs booked a month out, six weeks if you can; the board-and-train page has the details.

Retrievers

Richard's retriever work is built on the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics, which he learned under Billy Sargenti working with field trial retrievers. The Basic Waterfowl Program covers obedience, force fetch, e-collar conditioning and basic hunting scenarios; the Advanced Waterfowl Program adds steadiness in the blind, hand signals and cold blinds.

Pointers and upland breeds

Since 2013, when he trained under Steve Klassen at Blue Ridge Kennels, Richard has trained pointers and other upland breeds as well as retrievers. Formal Gun Dog Training is his formal whoa work for pointing dogs, founded on obedience.

Hunt tests and handlers

Richard is active in the AKC retriever hunt test community, has run and qualified at an AKC Master National, and runs dogs and assists clients at local weekend tests. Hunt test preparation is part of the waterfowl programs and lessons rather than a program of its own. He also trains handlers in private and group lessons.