Dog Training

The Six Gun Kennel hunting dog training program enhances natural dog abilities and excitement for wild birds.  It takes hard work, dedicated time, and years of experience to design a unique training plan for each dog. After an initial assessment of your dog and an understanding of your hunting goals, together we will design a plan on how to achieve your dog’s fullest potential.

At Six Gun Kennel we train 5 days a week, with 2 days off for the dogs to rest and absorb what they’ve learned.  It’s important to balance free run and training exercises to keep a dog focused.  Dogs are allowed free run to start the day with both exercise and socialization. We have 10 acres of fenced in property that the dogs have access to.  The majority of the day focuses on skill development.  As we wind down the day, dogs are given more time for free run before being fed and put into their kennel/dog box for the evening.

Early Puppy Development 

Early development is important for all breeds of dogs and particularly important for future bird dogs. 

Ideally, we would see your puppy between the age of 10 and 20 weeks to get started.  Exposure to birds, gunfire, free run, and healthy pack behavior instills confidence and enthusiasm for building a foundation for future formal bird dog training. 

Our puppy program is two weeks of intense focus on birds.  During this time, we are going to focus on your dog's natural instincts with opportunities to develop their independence and identity.  Rate is $800.

​Six Gun Kennel's puppy development program includes the following:

  • Bird Introduction:  Introduction to both pigeon and quail.  Your dog will start using the scent of the birds while hunting, rather than depending on their sight. 

  • Gun Introduction:  When done properly, gun introduction is very simple.  Once a puppy is eager to continue learning about birds, we will introduce gunfire.  Because your puppy is intent on finding and chasing birds, the noise of the gun will not negatively impact them.  The birds and the gun noise will become a natural combination.

  • Field Introduction:  Your dog will identify cover and where to go to find birds.  Exposure to varied cover at this stage prevents your dog from becoming overwhelmed in future field situations. 

  • Free Run:  Bird dogs need independence to do their job.  By allowing young puppies the opportunity to stretch their legs and run, we help them to develop this independence. 

  • Socialization:  The group experience with dogs of all ages, will teach your puppy to become a healthy pack member. 

  • Stakeout Chain:  The stakeout chain is like a desk for children.  It helps your dog begin to gain focus as well as develop patience and compliance. 

Bird Dog Formal Training

Our formal training has its roots in the Silent Command System.  The system begins with you learning how to read your dog and anticipate the dog’s actions. Accomplishment of tasks allows the dog to build confidence and focus their ability to learn.  We also use this program to work with dogs who are lacking obedience. 

Foundation Level Bird Dog

  • Prerequisites: puppy development​

  • Build a bond between dog and handler 

  • Establish points of contact using a lead or check cord

  • Transfer from mechanical cues to the electrical collar

  • Honoring

  • Searching for downed game after the shot and retrieving

  • Range and hunting pattern

  • Continued emphasis on obedience

  • Begin steadiness on birds, with e collar to stop the chase

  • $400 per week (typical timeframe is about a month or $1,600)

Advanced Level Bird Dog

  • Prerequisite:  Puppy development and Foundation Level training

  • Results in a finished bird dog

  • Bold running patterns

  • Intelligent bird finding abilities

  • Transfer all points of contact to the dog’s neck

  • Handling dog with e collar

  • Advanced steadiness on birds for shot and fall, prior to retrieve

  • Backing

  • Use bird releases with training pigeons

  • $400 per week  (1-2 months, depending on level desired $1,600 - $3,200)

Fall Northern Wisconsin Wild Bird Camp

  • Prerequisites:  None​

  • Grouse & woodcock training and exposure

  • Develop dog efficiency on wild birds, running to cover, finding birds

  • Discuss training goals to determine number of weeks

  • $400 per week  (training is 5 days/week)

Winter Southern Texas Wild Bird Camp

  • Prerequisites:  None​

  • Quail training and exposure on 45,000 acre ranch

  • Develop dog efficiency on wild birds, running to cover, finding birds

  • 6 weeks of total training time

  • $3,500 total cost (includes travel, food, and birds)

Obedience Training

Obedience training is the foundation to communicating with your dog. And communication is essential whether your eventual goal is a well-behaved pet or a superior bird dog.

​Six Gun Kennels Obedience training program will teach your dog to:

  • Come when called

  • Communicate positively

  • Teach basic commands

  • Solve problem behaviors

  • Instill expected behavior in various settings

  • Prevent dog pulling on lead

  • Respond to sit/here commands

  • Greet visitors, without jumping on them

  • Tune out distractions and maintain attention to handler

  • Not jump on kitchen counters

  • Accept grooming (hair/nails)

  • Never bolt out the front door

​$400 per week.  Length of time dependent on skill level desired.