Drachten Performance

GUN Dog Training

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Solid Training, Investment Protection

  • On Site Dock Diving Pool to build drive, work on water marks, directionals, water entries, and avoid cheating banks
  • Access to 3, 300 acre ranches in the area for training plus additional lands
  • On site state licensed veterinarian (DVM) to check dogs daily and provide immediate assistance if needed
  • ​Large on site training yards with exposure to items such as ATVs, UTVs, and similar
  • Live and dead birds included for Junior level
  • Use of dokkens (varying sizes), small and large bumpers, and scent to avoid bias to certain types of retrieving items
  • Safe, late model, well equipped vehicles used for transport to training sites
  • Strict safety protocols in place for both trainers, bird guys/girls, and dog equipment to assure everyone's safety
  • Dog's food is not provided (due to dietary preferences), but discounted rates on Purina Pro Plan Sport available
Our trainers and handlers at Drachten have a long competition history (over 40 combined years!) in the various dog sports including but not limited to: agility, obedience, rally, herding, barn hunt, dock diving, hunt test, and more.  We have had nationally ranked dogs in many sports and have spent the last two years earnestly honing our gun dog training skills for our growing Labrador Retriever in house program.  Previously we had periodically training dogs for hunters but hadn't offered it as an actual regular service.  With our growing presence in the hunt test and retriever world, more and more people have asked about training programs and we are officially announcing that we are accepting dogs in for gun dog training Fall of 2019.  Drachten dogs are constantly referred to as "happy," "willing," "hard working," and more.  People observing our dogs constantly ask how we train such happy and dedicated workers.  Our answer is simple - no shortcuts and build confidence until the dog loves what it does.  We specialize in bring out the most in an individual, not conforming to a method.
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Why chose Drachten?  Aside from our many accomplishments in the high level arenas, we also are experienced business people as well as thoroughly experienced in working with many breeds and many different types of temperaments to achieve our goals.  What this means for you is that our goal is to avoid "washouts" and the provide a much more professional experience on the administrative end - paperwork, payments, training updates, communications, and more.  From our experience, most trainers are good at training one type of dog and their focus is on achieving national goals for themselves.  From our discussions with other trainers of varying skills levels, this can mean on average a 50-80% washout/failure to complete percentage (gun dog trainers don't keep track of their washouts/failures in general). This means a lot of dogs are lost through the cracks, do not meet the owner's goals, or are otherwise "bounced" from a program.  Many times this occurs once the client has spent thousands of dollars and are left with a partially trained - and sometimes behaviorally unsound - dog to decide what to do with. 
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Your success is our success - we do not value a Master level dog higher than a puppy learning to be a started and valued hunting companion.   We want our clients to be thrilled with their dog and understand where they and their dog is in the process.  To help foster this type of training, we do not offer a month to month rate.  This is an ineffective training style as dogs learn at varying rates and a month to month program structure leads to a lot of pressure and increased chance that the dog will not progress as needed.  What we offer is a program based on the American Kennel Club hunt test objectives.  Even if you're not interested in trialing your dog (although we offer handling for trials as well), we believe that these are fair tests of a dog's skills for the general hunter population as well as a great foundation for advanced training.  It also means that everyone is aware of the goals, the training commands, and the end goal for that dog.  Additionally, the achievement of the Junior Hunter title provides documentation that your pup has successfully completed their training and is able to work in the field which is ultimately what everyone wants in their retriever.
What do you cover in training?
Junior
Senior
Master
​Formal Obedience
Sit, Down, Stay, Place, Heel, Here
Honor, Diversion Shot/Birds
Daily Obedience
"Kennel", Leave It, Hush, Off
Advanced Obedience
Trained Retrieve, Collar Conditioning (as needed), Whistle Recall and Sit
Casting/directionals,  "Get Wet," "Shake"
Marks
Single to 100 yards water and land
Doubles to 100 yards, Blind to 100 yards
Doubles/Triples to 125 yards maximum, 100 yards minimum, Blinds to 100 yards
Cost *payments and financing available
$4500
With Approval and +$2000 from Junior Program
With Approval and +$2000 from Senior Program
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