Whether you have a veteran hunting dog or a young pup ready to be developed into a well-trained bird dog, George designs programs that achieve your desired goal while providing fundamentals for both beginning and advanced training. George teaches owners the keys to properly train their dogs while becoming better trainers themselves.
Participants in George Hickox’s bird dog training learn to advance dogs to a higher level of hunting dog while enjoying a happy and obedient companion both at home and in the field. Both owners and dogs (regardless of breed), will benefit from George’s comprehension and proven bird dog training program.
His hands-on program ensures owners and handlers advance their knowledge about:
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Clicker training
By incorporating clicker training into a bird dog development program, owners and handlers develop an enthusiastic and well-mannered companion both in the field and at home. Clicker training is used by George’s Special Forces clients and enhances learning for all breeds.
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Avoidance training
Incorporating avoidance training into any bird dog training program requires proper timing for the development of a compliant and stylish partner.
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Introduction to live birds
Live birds are a mandatory part of the training plan. The successful use of live birds in bird dog drills creates proper bird manners in your canine hunting and gun dog companion.
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Prevention of apprehension at the sound of the shot
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Training the dog to be steady to wing and shot
For the pointing breeds, remaining staunch on point and not flushing birds is fundamental in the field. For the upland flushing breeds, sitting on the flush and waiting for the command to retrieve will be covered in depth.
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Teaching the retrieve
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Proper use of the e-collar
Low-level stimulation ensures the dog fully understands the reason he was corrected and avoids corrections in order to receive positive reinforcement.
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How dogs learn
This includes the power of association coupled with consistent repetitions.
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Conditioning and nutrition for the canine athlete
Recovery is important. The right nutrition and conditioning help your dogs recover from a day of work. To keep them at their physical best, owners will learn the importance of Glycogen replenishment and of fat in the diet.
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Teaching a dog to back another dog on point with style
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Emergency vet care in the field
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How to develop a dog that responds with excellence both in yard training and in the field
- Recall command
- Whoa/Sit/Hup demands depending on the breed
- Heel command
- Kennel command