Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take to train my dog?
What do I need to bring?
Can I reserve a place for my dog?
How many dogs do you train at once?
Do you train other breeds than Labradors?
Is it true that you can't take a Chesapeake to a pro, because they are so bonded to their owners?
What is the best age to start training?
Is my dog too old to train?
I've heard Chesapeakes need to be older before starting training. Do you agree?
Do you train show dogs?
My vet says I should "neuter" my male. What do you think?

How long will it take to train my dog?
Length of time needed for training varies depending on your goals and the speed with which your dog learns. The average time needed for a field-bred Labrador, Golden, or Chesapeake to be well-prepared as a "started gun dog" (about Junior Hunter level, plus steadiness) is five months. Handling takes more time to teach.
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What do I need to bring?
We keep it simple: the only thing you have to bring is your dog! Because the experts advise gradual changes in food, we recommend you bring an amount of food that you would feed in a week, so we can mix it with our food to make a gradual transition. If it is convenient to make a photocopy of your dog's pedigree, we are always interested to know what is behind the dogs we are training.
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Can I reserve a place for my dog?
Yes. We will hold a place for you if you send us a deposit of $200, which we will apply to your first month's training fee. Please contact us first to make sure we are not already booked, and send us a note including your contact information and planned starting date. The exact date can be changed if it proves inconvenient; the important thing is to have a spot reserved for you.
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How many dogs do you train at once?
The two of us train up to 12 customer dogs at a time, plus a couple of our own. Keeping our number of trainees low enables us to train each individual according to his or her needs and the owner's specifications-and to do all of our own dog care.
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Do you train other breeds than Labradors?
Yes, we have considerable experience with Chesapeakes (including training two to their field championships) and Goldens (multiple top Derby Goldens). We have owned many of each breed, are members of the ACC and GRCA, and currently breed Chesapeakes. We have had success with other breeds, including Boykins, NSDTRs, German shorthairs, Flatcoats, etc.
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Is it true that you can't take a Chesapeake to a pro, because they are so bonded to their owners?
On the contrary, we have found that Chesapeakes almost always take to our training very well. We have found that owner visits early in training can disrupt the relationship we are establishing with the dog, and recommend that when you bring your Chesapeake, you plan to wait until he or she has started to enjoy significant progress in the field before coming to visit.
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What is the best age to start training?
We can begin formal training as early as five and a half months, although many dogs come in at ages of one to three years, and they learn and progress just as well. Starting early has the advantage of developing good habits from the start, but may mean your dog is still very young when you pick him or her up. Immature retrievers lack resistance to cold and so their early hunting exposures must be treated with care.
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Is my dog too old to train?
No! We have trained many dogs beginning at age two or three, a few of five and six, and one delightful pet Golden who came to us at age nine-and-three-quarters and left at ten as an intense, motivated retriever! Dogs can learn at any age. There are two limiting factors. The older your dog, the fewer seasons you are likely to have for hunting and/or campaigning him or her. Viewed that way, your return on your investment is less when you start with an older dog. The other practical consideration is the possibility of bad habits. If your dog has developed any bad habits, then the longer they have been allowed to go on, in general, the longer it will take to change them.
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I've heard Chesapeakes need to be older before starting training. Do you agree?
No! We have trained many dogs beginning at age two or three, a few of five and six, and one delightful pet Golden who came to us at age nine-and-three-quarters and left at ten as an intense, motivated retriever! Dogs can learn at any age. There are two limiting factors. The older your dog, the fewer seasons you are likely to have for hunting and/or campaigning him or her. Viewed that way, your return on your investment is less when you start with an older dog. The other practical consideration is the possibility of bad habits. If your dog has developed any bad habits, then the longer they have been allowed to go on, in general, the longer it will take to change them.
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Do you train show dogs?
Yes, we train dogs from conformation breeding, and have trained, handled, bred, and owned conformation champions. We are interested in promoting interest in retriever work among the show fraternity. We are flexible and can work around the constraints of your other activities with your dog. We have an excellent pro handler locally and can coordinate with her to show your dog while he or she is in training.
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My vet says I should "neuter" my male. What do you think?
There are reasons not to do so. It is clear that intact males carry more muscle than castrated ones, and may have better endurance for the repetitive work of training. Furthermore, current research is identifying many indicators of health and soundness that are compromised by castration. Intact dogs have lower rates of hip dysplasia and cruciate rupture, of prostate cancer, and of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (a.k.a. doggy Alzheimer's). Interestingly enough, research at the University of Pennsylvania indicates more, rather than fewer, behavior problems in castrated males. While it is important to be responsible for your dog's reproductive potential, castrating him may not be in his or your best interest.
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Please email us or call (910) 245-2603 to discuss your training needs.