--- title: Advanced Waterfowl Program | Royal Gun Dogs url: https://royalgundogs.com/programs/advanced-waterfowl/ 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/) - [Programs](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/) - Advanced Waterfowl Program # Advanced Waterfowl Program The Advanced Waterfowl Program builds on the lower programs with steadiness in the blind and hand signals, from the small T drill to the Big T, wagon-wheel casting, lining and diversion drills and an introduction to cold blinds. It runs 4 to 12 weeks on top of the earlier work, depending on what the owner expects of the dog, at $325 a week. This is the work that teaches a retriever to take direction to a bird it never saw fall. How far a dog goes depends on what the owner wants from it, and Richard sets the length with you from there. ## The program at a glance Richard's own figures, as of October 2026. The program at a glance Item Advanced Waterfowl Program Length 4 to 12 weeks, in addition to the lower-level programs Rate $325 a week Depends on The owner's expectations Breeds Retrievers Where Hastings Island, and Denverton for advanced retriever work ## Steadiness and the small T The first part is steadiness in the blind: a dog that sits quietly through the shooting until it is sent. The [steady to shot guide](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/steady-to-shot/) and [calm dog in the blind](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/calm-dog-in-the-duck-blind/) explain why it matters. Basic hand signals start with the small T drill. ## Big T, wagon wheel, lining and diversions Advanced hand signals come next: the Big T drill, the wagon-wheel casting drill, lining drills and the diversion drill, and then an introduction to running cold blinds, retrieves to a bird the dog did not see fall. The glossary entries for [cast](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/cast/) and [blind retrieve](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/blind-retrieve/) define the terms. Richard still uses Denverton, near Suisun City, for advanced retriever work. He learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti, working with field trial retrievers, and has run and qualified at an AKC Master National. ## How long it takes 4 to 12 weeks on top of the lower-level programs. Richard says it all depends on the expectations of the owner, so the conversation about what you want from the dog sets where in that range it lands. Hunt test preparation is part of this work and of lessons, not a separate program; see [AKC Master Hunter](https://royalgundogs.com/hunt-tests/akc-master-hunter/) for what the top level asks. ## Booking Drop-off Wednesday to Saturday is preferred, and Richard likes dogs booked a month out, six weeks if you can. The [board-and-train page](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/board-and-train/) has the details, and [lessons](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/lessons/) teach you the signals your dog has learned. ### Sources (2) - Hastings Island Hunting Preserve : [hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/](https://hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/) (checked October 27, 2026) - Hastings Island Hunting Preserve : [hihp.com/dog-training/](https://hihp.com/dog-training/) (checked October 27, 2026) ### Advanced Waterfowl Program at a glance - **Length:** 4 to 12 weeks, on top of the lower programs - **Rate:** $325 a week, as of October 2026 - **Starts:** After the Basic Waterfowl Program - **Breeds:** Retrievers - **Where:** Hastings Island, with Denverton for advanced retriever work Book a month out, six weeks if you can; drop-off Wednesday to Saturday. Richard books by phone; call or text (530) 341-4496 . ### 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 - [Basic Waterfowl Program](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/basic-waterfowl/) - [Private and group lessons](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/lessons/) - [Marks and blind retrieves explained](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/marks-and-blind-retrieves/) - [Cast](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/cast/) - [AKC Master Hunter](https://royalgundogs.com/hunt-tests/akc-master-hunter/) - Retrievers that have finished the Basic Waterfowl Program - Duck hunters who want a steady dog in the blind - Owners who want a dog that takes hand signals - Owners with hunt test goals beyond the basics - Steadiness in the blind - Basic hand signals: the small T drill - Advanced hand signals: Big T, wagon-wheel casting, lining and diversion drills - Introduction to running cold blinds ## Other training programs [Young dogs ### Puppy Camp Gun dog introduction: birds and the shotgun for pointer and retriever pups, started at 5 to 7 months. Read more](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/puppy-camp/)[Retrievers ### Basic Waterfowl Program Obedience, force fetch, e-collar conditioning and an introduction to basic hunting scenarios. Read more](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/basic-waterfowl/)[Pointing dogs ### Formal Gun Dog Training Formal whoa work for pointing dogs, founded on obedience, once the dog is over a year old. Read more](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/formal-gun-dog-training/)[You ### Private and group lessons Handler lessons at Hastings Island and Denverton, for owners of dogs in training and owners training their own. Read more](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/lessons/)[How it works ### Board-and-train How the four programs work: drop-off days, booking ahead, what to send and the weekly rates. Read more](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/board-and-train/) ## Advanced Waterfowl Program: questions [All questions](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/) ### How long is the Advanced Waterfowl Program? 4 to 12 weeks in addition to the lower-level programs. It depends on the expectations of the owner. ### What does it cost? $325 a week (rates as of October 2026, set by Richard). ### Does my dog need the Basic Waterfowl Program first? The advanced program comes in addition to the lower-level programs, so it builds on that foundation. Ask Richard about a dog trained elsewhere. ### What is a cold blind? A retrieve to a bird the dog did not see fall, run on the handler's whistle and hand signals. ### Where does the advanced work happen? Richard's primary location is Hastings Island Hunting Preserve, and he still uses Denverton for advanced retriever work.