Training Program
Wind Wagon Retrievers’ training philosophy revolves around working with your dog's natural abilities, talents and desires to help them reach their maximum potential while working toward the goals you have for your dog. We feel a working retriever should be obedient in the field but excited about the task at hand. We work one on one with you and your dog in order to build your handling and communication skills so that trust and respect is gained from your dog and the two of you begin to work together as a team.
We are a small family-run operation and we limit the number of
dogs so we can give as much individualize attention to each dog as
possible. Not only do we hunt with our dogs but we also run AKC and UKC
licensed Hunt Tests throughout the Midwest. We have teamed up with our dogs
to earn over 60 passes and 13 titles in the last 4 years. There is no
difference in the training of retrievers used for Hunt Tests versus gun
dogs. The methods, concepts, and training scenarios are the same. We use
duck calls, shots from the line, walk-up (flushing) situations, and both
land and water scenarios to simulate actual hunting for waterfowl and upland
game.
Whether your goal is to have a family companion, hunting dog or competitive retriever, we offer several training options to meet you and your dog's specific needs. We accept dogs in formal training as early as 6 months of age. Some dogs come in between 7-12 months of age and some older. We encourage you to call well in advance of your anticipated start date to reserve a spot for your dog because space is limited.
Total care is given to all dogs in training at Wind Wagon Retrievers, including boarding, feeding, exercising, socializing, de-worming and vaccinating all dogs on premises. Please be comfortable in knowing that your dog will be treated like family.
Wind Wagon
Retrievers believes that the training process is a three-way partnership.
The partners include the trainer, the dog and the owner. For the dog to be a
successfully trained competitor, gun dog or home companion all three
partners need to participate. The owner plays a very important part of the
equation if training is going to be a success. The owner must be taught to
use the correct cues to handle his/her dog. You are encouraged to visit
your dog and learn how to handle them yourself along with how to perform
certain training techniques. Before your dog goes home, Jeff or Marion will
personally spend time with you to teach you the commands, answer any of your
questions, and explain the ideas behind training. We want you to be
comfortable
handling your dog and even training them yourself, if you wish. After the
dog goes home, you are responsible for maintaining basic commands to keep
the dog sharp and limit regression. You are always encouraged to call us if
you ever have any questions.
If during the first month we find the dog incapable of receiving training we will notify you and discuss options. Not all dogs are suitable competitors, hunting partners, or even trainable companions. We will let you know with all honesty how your dog is progressing and their ability to reach various levels of training. You and your dog will be treated fairly and with the utmost respect at all times. Your dog's success and enthusiasm, on and off the field, is what we strive for in our training program.