Griffin & Howe Gundogs Training
At Griffin & Howe, we believe dogs are an integral part of the sporting lifestyle. Our gundog training program upholds the tradition and excellence synonymous with all our departments.
Training takes place on the expansive grounds of Hudson Farm, providing diverse training environments, from technical water to high cover and vast acreage. This allows dogs to gain invaluable experience across a variety of terrains.
Our training reflects the same high standards as our other departments. All training is rooted in obedience, fostering the potential for dogs to develop the skills necessary to become exceptional hunting companions. We also prepare dogs for hunt tests and competitions.
Gun Dog Training Programs
Puppy Starter Program
For dogs age 3 – 6 months
Kickstart your puppy’s natural instincts and shape essential behaviors for future gundog training. This program focuses on environmental exposure, building confidence in the work environment, and socialization with other dogs and people. Minimum 1-month stay. $1350/month.
- On-leash obedience (heel, sit, recall, place)
- Exposure to birds
- Environmental training (people, dogs, noises, surfaces, cover)
- Thrown puppy marks (land and water)
Goals: Socialization, crate/potty training, on-leash obedience, shaped retrieves (land and water).
Requirements: Up-to-date vaccinations/records.
Started Gundog Program
For dogs age 6+ months
For dogs showing a desire to hunt and retrieve. We establish rules for a well-behaved dog, both in and out of drive, providing you with the ideal hunting companion across both land and water. We encourage owners to work with us at certain stages of the training, and a complimentary evaluation session is recommended. Minimum 3-month stay. $1350/month.
- On and off-leash obedience
- Collar conditioning
- Neutrality around other dogs, people, and environments
- Force fetch training
- Exposure to birds, gunfire, decoys, wingers, and gunners
- Work in diverse cover and distances
Goals: Marking behavior, steadiness, off-leash obedience, delivery to hand, single marks (land and water), shot over.
Advanced Gundog Program
For dogs who have completed our Started program. Our focus revolved around intricate setups for advanced hunts and hunt tests, giving the dog more tools to work with their owners in any scenario. Minimum 2-month stay; can then be revisited on an annual or ad-hoc basis for those looking to continue developing their dog’s hunting and sporting career. $1350/month.
- All elements of the Started program
- Steady work and honoring other dogs
- Doubles and triples (land and water)
- Introduction to blinds (handling and casting)
- Pattern blinds and discipline casting
- Work in various blind setups
Goals: Multiple retrieves, cold blinds, casting and control, honoring, owner training sessions.
Hunt Tests
Prepare your dog for UKC and AKC hunt tests. Our programs provide the foundation for achieving titles at various skill levels. Dogs completing our Started or Advanced programs have the opportunity to compete with the Griffin & Howe Gundogs team and build their portfolio.
Hunt tests evaluate a dog’s ability, style, temperament, desire to hunt, and resiliency. Earned titles demonstrate a dog’s readiness for the field under any condition.
Dog Sales and Breeding
Our breeding program focuses on improving the breed through workability, intelligence, health, and pedigree. Every breeding decision is carefully considered, with health testing and titles used to validate a dog’s worth. We prioritize quality over quantity.
All breeding dogs are health certified by OFA and undergo PawPrint/Embark genetic testing. This commitment to health ensures sound, healthy dogs and offspring, allowing us to maintain premium prices for our dogs and puppies.
Dogs for sale are advertised and evaluated through titling and hunting experience. Potential owners can interact with the trainer and the dog to ensure a good match.
FAQ
Any sporting dog breed. This includes pointers, flushers, retrieving breeds, and versatile dogs.
Monthly training is $1,350. Live Bird prices for training will be quoted according to season and bird type.
We will have started & finished gundog puppies available in the future. Please contact us if interested, as we do not advertise our finished for sale dogs unless requested.
We specialize in retrievers & flushing dogs.
Yes – we offer individual one off sessions for all levels of gun dog, whether you’re looking to begin training and focus on the basics with a new puppy, or work on a particular skill such as the retrieve or point.
Each session is $150 per hour – most dogs can’t focus for more than 30-45 minutes, so we recommend one hour is all that is needed per day. Our goal is to send home each handler with three skills to work on based off an assessment, and to see incremental improvements after each session.
Yes, we are always happy to help. Obedience is the core of all great gundogs, so we focus a lot of time and energy into teaching dogs to perform in public places and develop their whistle commands, leash control and overall obedience.
At this moment of time, we do not offer boarding.
Many owners are keen to visit their puppy often – we are happy for you to visit but we ask that you reach out beforehand to schedule a time. During certain key phases of training it can be better not having the owner present, to ensure the dog doesn’t revert back to any bad habits and the trainer remains in control.
If the dog is learning & gaining understanding, we always enjoy having owners out to learn and watch the progress.
Unless requested for twice a day, all dogs are fed between 3-4PM. With them working hard daily, its best to eat after their exercise to prevent injury.
