--- title: Puppy Camp: Gun Dog Introduction | Royal Gun Dogs url: https://royalgundogs.com/programs/puppy-camp/ 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/) - Puppy Camp # Puppy Camp (gun dog introduction) Puppy Camp is Richard Gebhart's gun dog introduction: 2 to 3 weeks that introduce a young pointer or retriever to birds and the shotgun, and 90% of pups finish in 2 weeks. It is upland oriented, Richard likes to start pups at 5 to 7 months old, and it costs $450 a week including birds, boarding, food and training six days a week. Puppy Camp is the first step for a young hunting dog at Royal Gun Dogs. Richard calls it Puppycamp, or gun dog introduction, and it is the same introduction for pointers and for retrievers. The pup stays with Richard at Hastings Island Hunting Preserve near Rio Vista, meets birds, hears the shotgun and trains six days a week, then goes home to start hunting. ## The program at a glance These are Richard's own figures, as of October 2026. The program at a glance Item Puppy Camp Length 2 to 3 weeks; 90% of pups do it in 2 weeks Rate $450 a week Included Birds, boarding, food and training six days a week Age to start 5 to 7 months old Breeds Pointers and retrievers Where Hastings Island Hunting Preserve, Rio Vista ## Birds and the shotgun, upland first The point of Puppy Camp is a good first meeting with the two things every gun dog lives with: birds and the gun. Richard keeps it upland oriented, so pups work in the fields and cover of Hastings Island Hunting Preserve. His philosophy is balance, "encouraging the hunting drive and desire in the dog, coupled with the necessary 'team player' attitude", and a young dog's first birds are where that drive starts. Richard has trained dogs professionally since 2002. He learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti and expanded into pointers and other upland breeds in 2013 under Steve Klassen at Blue Ridge Kennels, so the same introduction serves both kinds of dog. ## Get on the books at 16 weeks Richard likes to start pups at 5 to 7 months old. To get on his books for a Puppy Camp at that age, send him a copy of your pup's rabies certificate when the pup is 16 weeks old. In general he likes dogs booked a month out and recommends six weeks. Wednesday through Saturday are his preferred drop-off days. The [board-and-train page](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/board-and-train/) covers how stays work for dogs coming from all over California. - At 16 weeks: send Richard a copy of the pup's rabies certificate - Pick dates a month or more ahead (six weeks is better) - Drop off Wednesday to Saturday - Puppy Camp runs 2 to 3 weeks; most pups finish in 2 ## After Puppy Camp For a retriever, the next step is the [Basic Waterfowl Program](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/basic-waterfowl/). For a pointing dog, Richard likes owners to take the dog hunting until it is over a year old, then bring it back for [Formal Gun Dog Training](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/formal-gun-dog-training/) once its bird-finding is more solid. If you want to learn to handle your young dog yourself, ask about [private and group lessons](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/lessons/). ### 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) ### Puppy Camp at a glance - **Length:** 2 to 3 weeks (90% of dogs finish in 2) - **Rate:** $450 a week, as of October 2026 - **Includes:** birds, boarding, food and training six days a week - **Starts:** Starts at 5 to 7 months old - **Breeds:** Pointers and retrievers - **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 - [Basic Waterfowl Program](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/basic-waterfowl/) - [Formal Gun Dog Training](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/formal-gun-dog-training/) - [Board-and-train](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/board-and-train/) - [When should a hunting puppy start training?](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/when-to-start-a-hunting-puppy/) - [What age can a dog start gun dog training?](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/what-age-to-start/) - Pointer and retriever pups from 5 to 7 months old - Owners planning a first season with a young dog - Pups headed for the Basic Waterfowl Program or, later, Formal Gun Dog Training - Owners anywhere in California who can book a few weeks ahead - Introduction to birds - Introduction to the shotgun - Upland-oriented work in real cover at Hastings Island - Training six days a week while the pup boards with Richard ## Other training programs [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/)[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/) ## Puppy Camp: questions [All questions](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/) ### How long is Puppy Camp? 2 to 3 weeks. Richard says 90% of pups do it in 2 weeks. ### How much does Puppy Camp cost? $450 a week, which includes birds, boarding, food and training six days a week (rates as of October 2026). ### What age should my pup be? Richard likes to start pups at 5 to 7 months old. Send him a copy of the rabies certificate at 16 weeks to get on his books. ### Is Puppy Camp only for pointers? No. It is an introduction for both pointers and retrievers, and it is upland oriented. ### What about other breeds? Puppy Camp is for pointers and retrievers. For any other breed, ask Richard about your dog.