--- title: Formal Gun Dog Training for Pointers | Royal Gun Dogs url: https://royalgundogs.com/programs/formal-gun-dog-training/ 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/) - Formal Gun Dog Training # Formal Gun Dog Training for pointing dogs Formal Gun Dog Training is Richard Gebhart's program for pointing dogs: formal whoa work founded on obedience, with e-collar conditioning. It runs 8 to 12 weeks at $325 a week plus birds, and Richard likes the dog to come in once it is over a year old and its bird-finding is more solid. Pointing dogs follow their own path at Royal Gun Dogs. After a pup's Puppy Camp, Richard likes owners to take the dog hunting until it is over a year old, then bring it back for formal whoa work once its bird-finding ability is a little more solid. Formal Gun Dog Training is that second visit. ## The program at a glance Richard's own figures, as of October 2026. The program at a glance Item Formal Gun Dog Training Length 8 to 12 weeks Rate $325 a week plus birds Includes Obedience, e-collar conditioning, whoa work Breeds Pointing dogs When Once the dog is over a year old and has hunted Where Hastings Island Hunting Preserve, Rio Vista ## Whoa work, founded on obedience Whoa is the command that stops a pointing dog and holds it there, and Richard's formal whoa work is founded on obedience. The program includes obedience, e-collar conditioning and whoa work. Richard has trained pointers and other upland breeds since 2013, when he worked under Steve Klassen at Blue Ridge Kennels, and he is an avid upland hunter himself. ## Why wait until the dog is over a year old Richard's advice is to let a young pointer hunt first. After [Puppy Camp](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/puppy-camp/), he likes owners to take the dog hunting until it is over a year old, then bring it back for formal whoa work once its bird-finding ability is a little more solid. ## Birds and booking The rate is $325 a week plus birds. Drop-off Wednesday to Saturday is preferred, and Richard likes dogs on the books a month out, with six weeks recommended. See the [board-and-train page](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/board-and-train/) for how stays work, and [lessons](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/lessons/) if you want to learn the commands your dog is learning. The [training birds guide](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/training-birds-california-rules/) explains California's general rules on pen-raised birds. ### 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) ### Formal Gun Dog Training at a glance - **Length:** 8 to 12 weeks - **Rate:** $325 a week plus birds, as of October 2026 - **Starts:** Once the dog is over a year old and has hunted - **Breeds:** Pointing dogs - **Where:** Hastings Island Hunting Preserve 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 - [Puppy Camp](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/puppy-camp/) - [German Shorthaired Pointer](https://royalgundogs.com/breeds/german-shorthaired-pointer/) - [English Pointer](https://royalgundogs.com/breeds/english-pointer/) - [Pheasant and chukar training birds in California: the rules](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/training-birds-california-rules/) - [Private and group lessons](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/lessons/) - Pointers and other pointing breeds over a year old - Dogs that have done Puppy Camp and a season of hunting - Upland hunters who want a dog that holds point - Owners who want obedience the dog keeps in the field - Obedience - E-collar conditioning - Whoa work - Formal work founded on obedience ## 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/)[Retrievers ### Advanced Waterfowl Program Steadiness in the blind, hand signals, lining and diversion drills and cold blinds. Read more](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/advanced-waterfowl/)[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/) ## Formal Gun Dog Training: questions [All questions](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/) ### How long is Formal Gun Dog Training? 8 to 12 weeks. ### What does it cost? $325 a week plus birds (rates as of October 2026, set by Richard). ### What does it include? Obedience, e-collar conditioning and whoa work. ### When should my pointer start? Richard likes owners to hunt the dog after Puppy Camp until it is over a year old, then bring it back once its bird-finding is more solid. ### Is this program for retrievers? It is formal whoa work for pointing dogs. Retrievers follow the Basic and Advanced Waterfowl programs.