Griffin & Howe Gundogs Training
Griffin & Howe Gundogs is growing into one of the premier gundog kennels for wing shooters and outdoor sporting families on the East Coast. Focusing on training and breeding British labs, the number one goal of our training philosophy is to create a companion that can meet a family’s needs year-round and still have all the drive in the field. Once a dog completes our training, they’re ready to go anywhere – from the lake house to the marsh, and to the upland field.
Griffin & Howe Gundogs is conveniently located on the grounds of Hudson Farm in Andover, NJ. Our property allows for the dogs to experience plenty of bird exposure, different hunt environments, a beautiful indoor kennel facility, and a staff ready to help any new or experienced bird hunter.
Gun Dog Training Programs
All programs are $1,350 per month. Live bird prices for training will be quoted according to season and bird type.
Puppy Starter Gundog Training
For dogs age 3 – 6 months
Our young dog program was designed to help groom the personality and train your puppy to be the dog you always wanted. The first six months of a puppy’s life can be the most crucial time.
Within this program, we are here to build positive confidence, teach a base of commands all dogs should know such as sitting and staying, and much more. Your puppy will remain on-site for the duration of this program.
- Intro to feathers (if hunting dog)
- Intro to water
- Intro to retrieve
- Started on sitting position, ‘stay’ and ‘no’
- Patience at meal time
- Crate trained
- Car trained
- Socialized with dogs and children
- Basic obedience and home manners
- Vet office manners
- “Place” trained in home and field
- Monthly health check-up
Started Gundog Training
For dogs age 6 – 12 months
Started Gundogs are a great option for all hunters and outdoorsmen. This course will get the dog ready for everything they might face in the blind or in the house. We start the building process for you, but you still get to learn and finish the dog’s skills.
We have seen great success with clients in this program as it puts the client in charge, starts the dog on all the skills needed to take into the field, and lets you feel confident in putting your personal touches on your puppy to make him yours.
- Live and dead birds
- Gunfire
- Water retrieves
- Land retrieve out to 120 yards
- Running doubles
- Started on remote sit
- Starting hand signals (back, left and right)
- Pattern drills
- Crate and car trained
- Decoys trained
- Good with other dogs and children
- Basic home manners
- “Place” trained in home and field
- Monthly health check-up
Advanced Gundog
Dog must have completed a Started Gundog program and have hunted at least one season prior.
The Advanced Gundog program is a very custom package for our clients and their future gun dogs. Within this program, the dog will show to be a proven hunter, great in all public circumstances, excellent in the home, and able to meet your family’s needs.
- Gunfire
- Water retrieves
- Land retrieves
- Running triples
- Running blinds
- Remote sit in home and field
- Back casting, left and right casting
- Pattern drills
- Crate trained
- Car trained
- Decoys trained
- Good with other dogs and children
- Top of the line home manners
- Monthly health check-up
Additional Training Certificates
We are now proud to be able to offer certifications for handlers and canines through the American Kennel Club.
Griffin & Howe Gundogs now offers the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, AKC Advanced Community Canine and AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen. This is open to all family sporting dog breeds. These certifications can be completed through monthly dog training classes or our monthly gundog training program!
FAQ
Puppy starter training starts around the age of 2 months old and runs until the puppy is 6 months old. The started gundog program is 3-4 months of training, the advanced training program is 6-8 months of training, and finished gundogs require 12-14 months of training.
Monthly training is $1,350. Live Bird prices for training will be quoted according to season and bird type.
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.
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.
