Understanding

Bird Dogs

Understanding Bird Dogs Seminar Series

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 or preconceived notions, 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 and put into practice 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.

The May 21-23 and June 11-13 seminars will both cover the same content. The September finishing/handling seminar will be open to anyone who has attended either the May or June seminar.

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. At the Understand Bird Dogs seminars, you’ll have the opportunity to learn alongside your dog, and 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.

May and June: Fundamentals

During the May 21-23 and June 11-13 Understanding Bird Dogs seminars, the focus will be on basic dog/trainer interactions and learning the fundamentals of using leads, check cords, pinch collars, and e-collars – and helping dogs learn the ‘whoa’ command. The goal will be to help participants get better at reading their dogs so that they can communicate effectively, and to help dogs get better at standing still. Participants will also learn John’s low-pressure approach to yard breaking. The goal is to better understand the three skills that make a finished pointing dog: stop-to-flush, standing steady to wing and shot, and backing. All dogs and handlers will have the opportunity to lead their dogs into different scenarios in order to begin teaching these skills. While we won’t be turning any dogs loose (May and June are nesting and brood-rearing months), we will discuss the methodology behind handling techniques and how to finish a young dog on wild birds.

September: Handling

The September 10-12 Understanding Bird Dogs seminar will focus specifically on handling and finishing a started dog in the field. In September it’s time to turn dogs loose and begin to develop pattern and handling; it’s also time to put together a plan for helping a young dog learn to stand wild birds. To keep a pointing dog forward and running a reasonable pattern, handlers must understand what cues to use and when, and how to read topography to set our dogs up for success. We’ll also focus on the steps that help a dog transition from yard broke to finished on wild birds.

* Enrollment is limited to twelve participants per session. Participants are encouraged to bring their own dog. For those who have a dog that may not be ready to participate, or are unable to bring their own dog due to travel, we have young dogs here at the kennel who can ‘stand in’ as a participant’s dog for the weekend. There are also a limited number of audit spaces for those who wish to attend without a dog.

* Snake and porcupine avoidance is included in the price.

*Each weekend includes a field first aid workshop.

The Understanding Bird Dogs Seminars are right for you if you want to develop a new perspective and skill set that will help you help your dog learn and improve performance in the field.

Participants will get to watch other dogs and handlers learn while working with their own dog alongside a trainer who has helped hundreds of dogs learn the same skills.

Though it is tailored for dogs between 1 and 3 years of age, any dog who needs help with ‘whoa’, bird manners, and handling in the field will benefit. Handlers of all experience levels will find this class enlightening and see great improvements in their own understanding of their bird dogs and in the dogs themselves.

All pointing breeds are welcome to participate.

Additional Information

  • $2000 per weekend to participate

    $500 per weekend to audit

    Includes meals, porcupine and snake avoidance, and training tools to take home.

  • All three events will be held at the Seranoa Kennels headquarters outside Roundup, Montana. Dry camping is available on-site or Roundup has several hotels just five miles from the ranch.

  • Meals provided during the seminars:

    Ranch dinner Friday night

    Breakfast, snacks, and coffee Friday, Saturday & Sunday morning

    Lunches Friday, Saturday & Sunday

    Where to eat dinner in Roundup:

    • Backporch BBQ, Roundup

    • The Grand, Roundup

    **Do yourself a favor and eat at the Musselshell Steakhouse in Harlowton while you are out this direction!

Interested in attending or auditing the seminar? Fill out the form below….

“In June, 2026, I attended a pointing dog seminar hosted by John McIltrot at Seranoa Kennels.  The 2 and ½ days session focused on the techniques and methods John uses for training dogs to handle birds in a controlled environment.  The seminar was designed and presented for bird dog owners like me, NOT professional trainers.  I would encourage hunting dog owners to consider attending one of John’s seminars.  

The facilities and dog training equipment at Seranoa are first rate and lend themselves well for hosting training seminars.  John was gracious enough to allow those of us with campers to park at Seranoa for the seminar.  The meals provided were all home cooked and served at John’s home overlooking the Seranoa grounds.  Participants did not leave hungry!

Seeing, first hand, and participating with a professional trainer while handling a variety of dogs and breeds with a diverse level of maturity and hunting experience was a unique and rewarding opportunity. I attended the seminar wanting to get my dog some “professional” handling experience, and I did.  But what I really gained was a better understanding of myself, as a hunting dog handler.  John, specifically, has a quiet, calm and deliberate approach to each dog and each bird encounter.  I learned as much watching him work with other dogs as I did with my pup.  I left believing I can have a better bird dog if I can become a better handler.”

-Jim Munson, 2026 seminar attendee