School of dog training - handling

One-Day Dog Training Clinics for Hunting Dogs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring my dog?

Demonstrations will involve Stonecreek English setters, pointers, or Labrador retrievers. However, participants are welcome to bring their dogs. All dogs must be restrained.
What should I bring?

A notepad and pen, lawn chair, field clothes, rain gear, and water are suggested. Cameras are welcomed.
Is there an opportunity to ask questions?

Questions and participation are encouraged.
Will you use live birds?

A number of demonstrated drills involve live birds. We will cover the planting of birds, the proper use of bird launchers, and the pigeon pole.
Do you offer private consultation?

Often owners book time either before or after one of our schools. The rate is $600 for half a day and $1000 for a full day.

George Hickox Bird Dogs offers seminars for dog clubs and hunt clubs. Please contact our administrative office for more information:

George Hickox Bird Dogs
641 Alpha Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 406-5400
E-mail: info@georgehickox.com
Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. EST.

Training Tips

All training experiences interlock. Each level of training must be solid if you're to eventually hunt over a showcase gundog.

It is improbable that your dog will be steady to wing if it is not staunch on point. Think of your training as building on the dog's experiences and the commands Pup has learned, and understand that your dog, no matter how intelligent, is no Einstein. The teaching of commands must be broken down into sub-parts. "Throw me the football...No, pick it up first." Thus the command "Fetch" involves running or swimming to the object, picking it up, returning to you and making a proper delivery.

Your training, particularly at the more advanced levels, such as teaching blind retrieves, will proceed more effectively if you build one command on top of another, making sure that every command is solid before moving on.