Training Program

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Training Program

Puddle Duck Labs offer obedience training, collar conditioning, upland hunting, waterfowl hunting, and handling/training for Labrador Retrievers. Our program is individually structured around your retriever because no two dogs, like humans, learn at the same pace. We will meet with you and your retriever to evaluate your capabilities, listen to the details of what you want to accomplish, and recommend the best program to get you there as quickly as possible. A hard-running hunting dog retrieves more birds and takes up less hunting time doing so. In hunting tests, a dog which is stylish and well-mannered wins the admiration of judges and spectators alike.

Since gun dogs must be obedient and under control, most of our beginning gun dog work is concentrated around the obedience program and yard work. Yard work consists of all stages from beginning through advanced obedience training, force fetch, and in some cases, collar conditioning. Puddle Duck Labs uses low level electric stimulation as a method to reinforce lessons that are thoroughly taught and understood by the dog. This method is used only after compliance to the collar has been carefully introduced on simple commands and has been mastered. We never teach new concepts with the collar; only reinforce commands that have been preciously taught. We teach our dogs to turn off low level stimulation by doing the right thing, not "burn" for doing the wrong thing. The longer a retriever stays with us, the more efficient its work will become. Dogs are worked through decoys, a wide variety of difference situations, and on a variety of game birds.

Prior to bringing your dog to us, we require a current health certificate from your veterinarian. This certificate must include Rabies, Parvo-Distemper shots, work check, and current kennel cough preventative. We also require that all dogs are on heartworm prevention and have a current heartworm check. A copy of this health evaluation must accompaany all dogs entering our kennels.

Due to the commitments of our personal retriever programs and that of our associates, we only have limited training openings. These openings change month to month so call or email us at wbirddogmac@hotmail.com to discuss openings that are or will be coming available. We are looking forward to the opportunity to work with you and your dog. Please call with any further questions you may have. If you reach our automated answering service, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Training Fees

The kennel is open for calls between 8am and 5:30pm Monday thru Friday (Not Sunday) to check on your dog. After hours try an email; I do update thru email at night for a short period. We are very busy training, guiding and spending time with clients. We will get back to you as soon as we can, so please be patient. I do everything myself to assure the dog is good.

$500 per month / $16 per day. I furnish shells, transportation with fans ,equipment, some dead birds to intro dog, Sportmix 24/20 quality food, monthly heart worming, and clean kennel twice a day.We require that started dogs stay 5 to 6 months to be solid so please do not think it will be less. We do not rush to train your dog; we want the training to retain and not all dogs have the same learning pace. Finish level dogs that do hand signals and blinds and multiple retrieves add 4 more months to the Started dog months. We can train the dog to upland or waterfowl hunt; you choose what you would like or want me to do. We do not allow clients to train with us or watch us train. We will allow you to come in and run your dog toward the end of training but in the beginning we are working basics and putting the pieces together and have other clients dogs to run as well daily with yours so our time is restricted. We use to allow this but we spent more time talking then training. We have alot of work to do with dogs so please understand it takes time. When it comes time for your dog to leave you will get our undivided attention and we will work your dog with you.

Any live birds you want shot over your dog while here in training is $6 per bird over monthly fees. We recommend that you plan on letting us shoot some over your dog to give him live bird work. We can use all the training bumpers in the world but nothing replaces a live bird and what it does for a dog. Also you will be expected to continue to shoot live birds over your dog when you go home in a controled situation not just hunting so that you can run and learn your dog properly.

Proper Force breaking a dog to deliver to hand only nothing else is $700 and takes 5 to 6 weeks. Dog must live here.

Basic obedience 5 weeks is $500 any dog. Dog must stay here.

One on One work with your dog and receive help here at our place is $65 per hour. We recommend this for people who are really wanting to do alot of it themselves. Training equipment my assistance included live birds extra $6. Dog comes and goes with you; no kennel fees.

Unguided hunting / Dog training live birds

If you prefer to hunt your dogs alone or train your dog on live birds alone year round we will set your field with birds prior to your arrival and you can train or hunt on our great fields with cover alone. The field can be used per half day booking Morning or Afternoon.
24 Birds set min two man Max for $200
$75 for each addt'l person added to the 2 man group(4 people Max on Fields at all times)
$6.25 for each addt'l bird set after 24 birds must be pre ordered.
Clay warm up $35 addt'l per 100 clays per party used (Not per person).

Visit our kennels

WE WILL TRAVEL AND PROVIDE HELP AND SEMINARS AT YOUR PLACE, PLEASE CALL FOR RATE INFORMATION.