Helping a dog become a better bird dog requires more than just having a bag of tricks. The trainers who consistently get positive results have learned to slow down, observe behaviors and responses, and ask questions. That’s where understanding comes from: when we can accurately interpret what we observe without emotion, and ask the right questions, we get better at communicating. These are skills that all of us can learn and master. 

John McIltrot of Seranoa Kennels will offer a series of three weekend-long training seminars designed to help owners understand the three basic skills that make up the foundation of every trained pointing dog – whoa training, yard training (backing, stop-to-flush, and steady to wing and shot), and handling/patterning/finishing in the field.

Each seminar builds on skills and methods from the previous session, slowly and logically developing the skill sets of both dog and handler. The progression from an over-exuberant young pointing dog to a finished gun dog or field trial competitor goes best when it goes slowly and methodically. The better we as trainers become at reading and understanding the responses of our dogs, the smoother that progression goes.  

In addition to learning alongside your dog, you’ll have the opportunity to watch some of the dogs on John’s string learn these same skills. It's a great way to see how different dogs respond to similar cues while developing at different rates.