Our training programs specialize in retrievers for the field or competition. If you desire a well-mannered hunting companion or a Grand Hunting Retriever Champion, we are the kennel for you. We are active participants in the United Kennel Club’s Hunting Retriever Club having produced many Grand Hunting Retriever Champions, Hunting Retriever Champions, Upland Hunters and Hunting Retrievers. The HRC hunt tests have become a passion for us. In the past, we ran the American Kennel Club hunt test and the North American Hunting Retriever Association programs placing many dogs on the NAHRA all-American team with passes at the RAW NAHRA Invitational. Beaverdam Kennels has produced seven NAHRA 1000-point dogs and more Grand Master Hunting Retrievers and Master Hunting Retrievers than any other facility in North America.
The majority of our time is spent with the dogs, but our primary focus is to develop a client that can comfortably handle his/her dog in the field or in competition It is not unusual for us to have fifteen or twenty people train with us each day and you are always welcome to spend a training day at Beaverdam Kennels. Having a client that can handle their dog through the hazards of a hunt test is far more rewarding for us than having the dog alone perform the skill.
Training at Beaverdam Kennels is based on your goals for pup and yourself. We will not place any dog on a timetable. All students are allowed to proceed at a pace where they can remain confident while still being challenged to move forward each day.
Good citizenship or obedience is available for any breed. This program normally lasts around one month. Some dogs have mastered it in three weeks while others needed more conditioning in a six-week program. Initially, we work with your dog to establish an alpha relationship and then bring you in to finish the program so we are all speaking the same language.
Hunt testing has become a big part of our kennel. We are very active in the UKC Hunting Retriever Club program. Our involvement with other testing programs will be determined by the desires of our clients. The event dogs remain in training with us for periods ranging from six months to two years depending on how high you set your goals and how many letters you want in front of your dog’s name.
Gun dog training is our primary attraction. Most of our clients that test their dogs began as gun dog enthusiasts and could not resist the competition of good dog work. The hunting dog program consists of general obedience, fun bumpers, force fetching, marking, and socialization to the common distractions of the hunting arena.
Our training philosophy is very simple. Find something that motivates pup and use it as a reward when pup follows our lead. Details of the program can be found in our book, Finished Dog, which has been released as a Field Manual and on CD-ROM.
If you are in need of any training equipment, please contact us. We have used most of the available products and will give you an honest opinion on its merits and faults. We also offer excellent pricing on all of our training equipment.