We have access to some excellent dogs we hand pick from litters for our started dogs. These dogs are from proven performers with excellent to outstanding pedigrees. In most cases we have trained the Sire and or the Dam from the breeding. We have first hand knowledge and know what to expect in terms of performance and trainability of the dogs.
More and more people are contacting us for started and finished dogs. There are some advantages to buying a trained started dog. One of those is not having to deal with the puppy stage and the time it requires. Another is that the dog can be evaluated through the training process. Meaning, a dog that is started has already proven that they can do the work. There is no guess work regarding the dogs ability to perform in the field. In the case of pointing labs they have shown that their genetics are wired for pointing. There is no question regarding if they will point. The majority of our dogs are pointing labs. On some occasions we will have a GSP or EP available.
Our started dogs are usually pick of the litters from our dogs or breeding's from our stud dogs that we bring to the kennel at 8 weeks old. In some cases they may be another kennel that has produed a litter using our stud dog. Puppy training starts immediately with retrieving for the retrieving dogs and crate training. Pups are well socialized, my two kids spend time doing what kids and pups like to do, have fun and play.
Pups are exposed to the outside world almost immediately by taking them individually on walks in the field. Walks in the field are a great way to condition growing pups. They also learn to become bold and confident in the different types of cover they will eventually be hunting in.
When pup is ready, usually between two and three months old they begin the process of learning about the things they learn to love the most Birds! We teach them what they are and how to find them. We teach them to boldly seek them out and locate them in the field. From there we work on the pointing process and begin to teach them to point consistently.
Our started dogs are taught how to work as a team with a handler. This process starts with building the foundation of obedience. Pups are taught the heel, sit and here commands and responses on lead. They are also introduced to the gun and several tpes of birds. After the obedience foundation is frimly in place we force fetch the pups begin the collar conditioning process. Pups are also taught to kennel on command
The end result is that our started dogs have all the basics in place. These will be dogs that have the fundamentals down and should, with exposure to hunting opportunities, find birds and or deliver them to hand when they are shot. They will understand the basic whistle commands for here and sit in the field. Before pups leave with their new owners they will have been exposed to several different types of birds including pheasants, chuckars, pigeons and ducks. Our started dogs are usually between 9 month and a year old.
In some cases clients want more advanced training for their started dogs. Working off lead, multiple marks, handling on blind retrieves, steady to wing and shot, whoa training. We can train your PRG dog to any level you have a need for. As mentioned before we hand pick some of the best pups from the best performance dogs in the country with proven backgrounds. Their pedigrees will be loaded with FC's/AFC's, MH's and GMPR's. All of are dogs are bred to be great companions and excel in the field whether their hunting or running in hunt tests and achieving titles at the highest levels.
If you talk with owners of our dogs you will find that there is a difference. We have excellent references from several clients that have bought and are hunting PRG started dogs. Look at the menu bars at the top for the dogs we currently have available and dogs that are in training. We will also post up coming litters we know we will be keeping pups from and starting.
As always, feel free to contact us regarding any questions you have or how we might be able to meet your needs for a trained dog in the future.
Gary Buys
CEO/Owner/ Trainer/Bowl Washer/ Pooper Scooper