Gundog Training
At Wild River Kennels, we believe in a positive approach to dog training. Every dog learns at a different rate and we choose to train at each dogs pace. We prioritize a dogs attitude over everything. We not only want our dogs to perform well, but look good doing so. We also understand that each dog is different and that a “cookie cutter” training approach won’t work, therefore, we adapt our training methods to fit each dog.
Our goals are to maximize a dogs potential, and we do this by being patient and treating each dog individually.
While we love the versatility of our Labrador Retrievers, we train all dogs for a variety of opportunities. We train dogs for upland hunting and waterfowl hunting. We encourage testing in AKC and UKC and can help get your dog ready as well as handle them for you in their tests.
Most importantly, we understand what proper owner involvement looks like with your dog. We work passionately to mentor our owners through all the phases of dog ownership and training. We offer and recommend working visits while your dog is with us.
PUPPY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
$1,200 PER MONTH / 30 DAY PROGRAM
At Wild River Kennels we understand and cherish each opportunity to develop a dog properly. We offer puppies as young as 3 months to come live in our home. They will learn structure, manners, and confidence along with exposure to our young family.
This early exposure will help develop a well-balanced dog for the future. In the field, we offer proper introductions to live game birds and gunfire. Nurturing a high level of retrieve and prey drive is key to successful training down the road. We go through this stage allowing puppies to be puppies!
By allowing them to learn, we are building a good citizen with confidence and prey drive.
Reservations required as we only offer a limited number of puppies in this program.
This is a 30 day program, which includes to following:
Crate training
House manners (wait at door, no jumping on countertops, no unwanted chewing)
Food reward obedience
Introductory work (Live Birds, Gunfire, Decoys, Boats, Blinds)
Introduction to water (Seasonal)
GUNDOG FOUNDATION PROGRAM
$1,200 per month / 3-5 month program
The Foundation. At this level, we begin formalizing and reinforcing behaviors that we will rely on through the dog’s life. At Wild River Kennels, we specialize in dogs that are family companions first and hunting partners second. Which is why manners and obedience is what we pride ourselves on not only in the field but in the home as well.
Dogs in this program will learn leash manners, fundamental commands, kennel manners, proper travel, and off-leash obedience. In the field they will learn to handle, hunt and retrieve to hand.
We are continuing to build steadiness at this level, which comes with confidence, control, and drive. Of course, the key to success is owner education and commitment.
This a 3-5 month program and includes:
Basic Obedience (Here, Heel, Sit, Place, Kennel and Down)
Leash Manners
E-Collar Conditioning
Introductory work (Live Birds, Gunfire, Decoys, Boats, Blinds)
Introduction to water (Seasonal)
Trained Retrieve
Simulated hunts
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED RETRIEVER PROGRAM
Prerequisite: Basic Gundog program
$1,200 per month / length of program determined by goals
Steadiness, handling skills and marking game at a high standard is ultimate goal. A high level of commitment is needed from the owner to maintain this standard.
This will be a continuance from the work we learned in our Basics program. We will cover your goals, type of hunting and/or competition you will be involved in and develop a plan from there.
Our Intermediate/Advanced Retriever Program includes:
Sitting on a Whistle
Handling & casting
Running Multiple Marks
Running Blind Retrieves
Swim by
Honoring
Physical Conditioning
EXPECTATIONS
TRAINING:
- Training sessions five days per week
- Each training session will last 15 minutes to an hour depending on the training session
- At Drop Off we will cover your goals for your dog
- Comprehensive 1-1 Pickup lesson covering the training
UPDATES:
- Minimum of one update per week
- Facebook & Instagram posts
- Phone calls
- E-Mails
Want More?
Interested in a more hands on approach? We offer one on one Gundog evaluations and private lessons on a daily, weekly, bi-weekly and monthly basis depending on your goals. Lessons can be virtual, on-site as well as off-site.
We service RI, CT, NY and all surrounding areas.