Rusty Guns Kennel & Guide Service

Programs and Packages

 

                Head Start!!

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Our "Head Start" program is for young

4-6 month old dogs. We introduce your young dog to birds, pointing, whistles, check cords, field commands. Only 
when it's ready, will we properly introduce your pup to gunfire. This exposure is for developing your dog's natural instincts and involves no corrections. An extremely important part of a puppy's development is to enjoy all the new hunting experiences without any pressure. At the end of your dog's introductory work when you come to pick up your dog, we will spend time working with you and your dog together. We will instruct you on what "to" work on and what "not to" work on at home to prepare your dog for the more advanced training. This introductory work is designed to educate you and your pup on how to get the most out of his or her early sessions.  During this critical stage of rapid development, we lay the foundation for a great hunting dog. A poorly started pup often will be unsuccessful in their later training. The training fee is $400.00 for the one-month introductory course and does not include birds.  

 

                  Basic Training!!

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The "Core Training" program is for young dogs starting at 10-12 months old. This is where formal training begins, and the core elements of being a bird dog are taught. Your dog will be taught to be handled in and out of the field, off leash and on whistle and verbal commands. It will be taught to turn on command in the direction you want it to go, to come back to you any time you call it, and point and stand birds until they run off, fly off or you shoot them. This dog will be ready to hunt on wild birds after this program but is not broke "steady to shot."  We develop the dog's natural pointing instinct, the dog's patience on point, and bring out his or her natural retrieving ability in these sessions. Your dog will be trained on a check cord at first and then trained with an e-collar to handle off leash when he is done. This training also includes one-on-one personal training sessions for the owner and dog until both dog and handler are working as a team and includes as many follow-up sessions as needed.  Training fees are $550.00 per month (recommend 2-3 months) and includes birds.

 

 

Complete Hunting Companion!!

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A hunting companion means your dog will find birds, hold point until you arrive, stay pointing through the flush, shot and kill, and will remain steady until you release it to retrieve.  Then when the day is done, your dog will still sleep in your bed if that's your choice. This does not mean that every dog that stays with me will sleep in my bed but, be assured, they will all have plenty of social interaction with humans. In training your dog to become "steady to wing and shot," the dog will first be "whoa" broke. The dog will then be trained in the field on birds to hold through the shot and the kill and, finally, until the retrieve command is given. This will take place in actual hunting conditions to get him or her steady to "wing and shot." When your dog's training is finished, it will handle in and out of the field, be steady to wing and shot and retrieve to hand. This training also includes personal one-on-one, step-by-step training for the owner, to teach you how to keep the dog broke and includes as many follow-up sessions as necessary. These dogs will handle kindly, point birds and hold steady to wing and shot in order to ensure your dog's safety and will look and be the quality dog you will be proud to own. These finished broke dogs can also be taught to "honor" another dog's point, and to "stop to wild flush" as additional training to produce the "complete hunting companion." Training fees are $550.00 per month (recommend 3-4 months) includes birds.

 

 

 

 Short-Term Training

Basic obedience  

 This training is teaching your dog to "come here," "sit," "stay" and "heel." This is a one-month minimum course, and the fee is $300 per month. We instruct you on how to discipline and work with your dog in an organized, step-by-step program. Pre-scheduled, one-on-one, owner training sessions with you and the trainer are included in the fee, including as many follow-up sessions as you may need. Obedience training helps make dogs more manageable and responsive to commands. An obedient dog is a joy to own and a rewarding family companion.

 Gun Dog Commands

My training consists of:  1).  Assessing the dog’s level of training…in other words when an individual brings him in, what does pup already know?  Has he seen birds?  Does he know the “here” or “come” command?  This information provides my basis for training.  2)  I assess the dog’s temperament.  Does he or she have a strong personality, or are they a little softer?  This to me is probably the most critical, If you cannot read the response or reaction of the dog, this is when one creates MAN-MADE PROBLEMS! Usually this can  be done in an hour, but more often it takes a half day to truly feel out were a pup stands.

    Once this assessment is done, we can easily work together at your leisure to get your pup exactly where you want him. This has its benefits and its drawbacks. Typically, owners build long-lasting bonds and actually learn to train their own dog instead of getting back a finished product and trying to figure out how it got that way. Some of the drawbacks are that it takes longer obviously. Often times, the owners are working at their own pace and ability, and we will have to "re-learn" key disciplines. Hourly sessions are $25 per hour per dog plus cost of the birds if used.

 Gun Dog Commands

One-on-one training session/seminar/Assessment

Just like above, once a quick assessment is done, I will work with you and pup in a controlled hunting scenario. We will go over training pointers, key points that need to be covered with your specific pup. And you will work YOUR dog with me assisting. This seminar will include up to 4 birds (quail) in a half-day session. Fee: $125

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 Gun Dog Commands

List of basic gun dog commands.

 Whoa

Here

Sit

Fetch

Close or work close

Heel