More Details: 

Join us for our highly popular 3-Day Retriever Training Workshop! Open to all skill levels, this event is perfect for those with a basic understanding of training concepts and some experience. Maximize your weekend by learning alongside fellow dog enthusiasts!

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​Are You a Complete Newbie!? 

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GENERAL WORKSHOP INFORMATION: 

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

• Gunfire (blanks) will be shot.​

• We will start at 9am and will learn /train until approximately 4pm each day. 

• *note* we have an indoor and/or covered classroom areas to account for weather/any time we feel it might be a hazard to be in the field. Our goal above all is to have everyone safe and as comfortable as possible. ​

• ​You can expect classroom sessions as well as field drills and simulated hunt test scenarios. You will learn how become more efficient planning your training and then practicing practical application.

• Demo dog(s) will be used to showcase some topics. 

• Fun training related contests will scheduled to challenge workshop participants to test their knowledge and the skills they will be learning. A great way to win some merch and swag for you and your dog(s)! 

• Each working team enrolled will be given at least one working session per day. Based on number in attendance and the day's syllabus; some dogs may get more than one working session. 

• NEW for 2027!

  • ​We will have some of our most popular BlackFoot merchandise available for purchase during the weekend. 

  • Weather permitting: One set-up will be entirely dedicated to water concepts for every dog. 

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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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INCLUDED: 

• Morning Coffee all 3 days.

• Cooler beverages and snack all 3 days. 

• Saturday Lunch: (catered sandwiches, sides, desserts, and snack platter).

• Sunday Lunch: (Danielle's famous homemade lasagna, salad, Italian bread & butter). 

• Written Take home materials.

• Use of birds & equipment while on site.

• ​Official AKC Hunt Test Rule Book.

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COST: 

• 1 dog / 1 Handler 3 days = $650

• 2 dogs / 1 Handler 3 days = $1000

• Audit (One handler / NO DOG): 

  • ​Friday =  $100 ​
  • Saturday = $125

  • Audit 3 days = $350

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OPTIONAL: ​

• Live Flyer SUNDAY ONLY - $40ea. (typically up to 20 birds available first come first serve one per dog) ** Pending until closer to event date ** Day of payment in cash may be required. 

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

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About 2 weeks before the event, all registrants will receive detailed information about what trh expect, supply list, accommodation suggestions etc... Here are some preview notes; 

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1. Safety first and foremost! When not working your dog, please be sure your dog is safely crated in your vehicle, has water / ample ventilation & 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. We likely will 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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SOME OF THE TOPICS WE WILL BE COVERING THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND: 

*These are not in order... Syllabus and more specific format will be introduced on day 1.

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👉 The difference between FOUNDATION behaviors and OBEDIENCE behaviors.  

👉 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)
👉 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

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