Home Training Program Puppy Gun Dog Handling Competition Owner Training Fees and Conditions About Us Life at Oak Hill Facilities Grounds Breeding Library (main page) The 10-Minute Retriever Contact Us

Owner Training We encourage owners to visit and spend a training day with us when it is time to pick up a dog, and also to attend training sessions while their dog is in training, if they so desire. At these sessions we coach owners on how to handle their dogs to get the best responses, what kind of practice to do at home, and how to carry on training. Typically we demonstrate what a dog can do, then watch and provide feedback as the owner handles the dog. Owners are welcome to visit at any stage of their dog's training, but the best opportunities for learning come after a smooth pattern of work has been established in the field, following force-fetching. Handling a dog well in competition requires both practice and an understanding of retriever work at that level. We encourage owners to experience the unique team effort of handling their own dog in events, and to develop their handling skill by attending multiple training sessions to handle their dog on tests. We give specific instruction on handling, and will set up tests for you, which are designed to demonstrate the handling principles you will need to master for the events you will run. We also offer one-on-one lessons for the owner who is training his or her own dog. Usually this involves watching as the owner demonstrates what the dog has accomplished so far and listening to the owner's specific questions about the dog's responses and the current stage of training. Then we make recommendations, demonstrating on the owner's dog or with one of our trainees who has mastered the topic in question. If the dog is doing field work, the owner is welcome to attend our entire field training session that day, ask questions, and run his or her dog on a couple of tests at the appropriate level. Inexperienced owner-trainers frequently find one lesson in the obedience or force-fetching stage greatly improves the results that they get and their rate of progress. Of course force-fetching can be a difficult procedure and we encourage owners to come see us whenever they encounter a hang-up, before it becomes a real problem. If your dog is doing field work and just needs marking experience, or has a particular problem, we can help with advice and with training tests tailored to your dog's needs. If you are interested in visiting your dog in training or in bringing your dog for a private lesson, please email or call us at (910) 245-2603 to arrange a visit (and for current lesson rates). Please confirm a day or two before your arrival if plans are made ahead of time.