BLACKFOOT FIELD DAYS
Novice - Transition Retriever Workshop

Details: 

NEW TO RETRIEVER SPORTS!? That's OK!

NO experience needed. This will be a learning weekend for all! Newbies - experienced dogs and handlers.

~ MAX REGISTRATION will be 10 working dogs per day MAX of 2 puppies (under the age of 5 months).

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ABOUT FIELD DAYS:

• Training includes use of frozen defrosted real ducks, dokens, and bumpers.

• Gunfire (blanks) will be shot.

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We will start at 9am and learn /train .... UNTIL .....

*Weather pending* we have an indoor and/or covered classroom time to account for weather/any time we feel it might be a hazard to be in the field. 

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​Each day will will start with classroom and planning practical application. Demo dog(s) will be used during this time. 

First official birds (Guns up / dog to the line) by 11am. Each working dog will be given at least one working session per day. Based on number in attendance and the day's syllabus; up to three working sessions. 

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All retriever breeds welcome. If you are not sure if your retriever is an eligible AKC hunt test breed, you can find that complete list on the AKC website here. 

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All participants should be willing to learn to help throw birds & bumpers, load wingers (optional), set up stations & move equipment, plant blinds, and act as "marshal" ... Don't know how to do those things!? This will all be part of the workshop!

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Safety first and foremost.

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1. When not working your dog, please be sure your dog is safely crated in your vehicle, has water / fan etc.

2. If your dog is not acclimated to gunfire we suggest that your first attend a few private retriever coaching sessions.

3. For safety, if you are unsure at all about your dog's recall; it is extra important to be sure they have a fitted collar with ID tag. Field days are conducted in open fields without fenced boundaries. 

4. Depending on the weather and your dog's abilities we may do water work in our pond(s). Please bring towels for your dog.

5. If your dog is not known to be reliable off leash, please bring a 30 - 50 foot light weight long line. 

6. An appropriate dog training whistle is essential. We use and recommend this whistle: . 

7. You may use whatever training equipment you typically use with your dog. If we feel something different could be helpful we have all sorts of collars and leads to offer for borrowing.

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TOPICS WE WILL BE COVERING THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND: 

*These are not in order... Syllabus and more specific format to follow. 

👉 How to create a shaped retrieve using positive reinforcement. 

👉 When and why to add pressure to training. How much pressure is needed and keeping the balance. 

👉 No-No Drills
👉 The benefit of training 2 sided heeling
👉 Goal Post Lining
👉 E collar conditioning
👉 3 - 5 Hand Casting (platform usage / phasing out / building difficulty)
👉 Shaping the retrieve
👉 The importance of having and BEING a great bird boy! How and when to help, communicate with the line, and how to throw marks.
👉 The importance of Force Fetch and how to recognize behavior change to ensure use of least aversive pressure.
👉 Steadiness
👉 Honoring

👉 Push Pull & Wagon Wheel combo drill.
👉 Teaching and maintaining clean Whistle sits (from toys in the back yard to 250+ yard consistency)
👉 Bucket blinds (how and why)
👉 Walk up blinds (how and why)
👉 Essential Puppy foundation work and balancing the live / work lifestyle for the different life stages.
👉 Holding blind etiquette
👉 Setting and maintaining a consistency in your behaviors
👉 Developing and editing your training program .. step by step
👉 Poison bird introduction and mastering.
👉 How to recognize and introduce environmental FACTORS
👉 Eyes vs. Nose work in the field
👉 Wingers and launching systems vs. helpers and gunners in the field.
👉 Obedience in the field vs. obedience at home

INCLUDED: 

• All Day cooler beverages and snacks

• Written Take home materials

• Use of birds while on site

• ​Official AKC Hunt Test Rule Book

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COST: 

• Audit NO DOG: $50 per day

• Working spot 1 dog: $150 per day

• Working spot 2 dogs (2 dog max): $260 per day

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Discount applied to registrants to participate for all 3 days! 

• Audit NO DOG: All 3 days ($25 off) $125

• Working spot 1 dog: All 3 days ($75 off) $375

• Working spot 2 dogs (2 dog max): ($100 off) $680 

OPTIONAL: 

• Lunch Saturday - $25 (Catered sandwiches and sides)

• Lunch Sunday - $25 (Sunday lunch is homemade lasagna you won't want to miss!)

• Live Flyer SUNDAY ONLY - $40ea. (we will have a limit of 15 birds available first come first serve) ** Pending until closer to event date ** Day of payment may be required TBD. 

• Buy additional training birds to take home for your freezer. Quantity available and cost TBA. 

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