Training an English Setter Puppy

I have been having a great time these past few months working with a young english setter puppy. She is out of Hideaway Kennels in Colorado and from the same breeding that produced last years national champion (NFC Nauvoo Valley Cash Money). Jess has been a joy to work with and train and I have [...]

Ready to go hunting

Got to work with an english pointer that my friend had recently acquired this week. We wanted to see her style and training progress and generally determine her overall value as a hunting companion. We planted some valley quail for her and proceeded to hunt her as realistically as possible. The quail had moved from [...]

Oops Puppies, It Happens!

What happens when a well bred english pointer female gets together with your prize brittany stud dog? Oops puppies! This definitely was not a planned event but brought up some tough questions. What is the responsible thing to do? I asked around and got a variety of responses from other breeders. Some said I should [...]

Pheasant Pros and Cons

Gun dog training is impossible without the use of live birds. Many people use pigeons because they are cheap and readily available in the lower 48 states. The pheasant is probably the most popular game bird in the country. The striking colors, large size, noisy flush, and great tasting meat make it a favorite for [...]

Annabella’s Sister Suzy

Getting into the second generation of my breeding program I am pleased with the female I kept out of the litter. She has solid bird drive and a great nose and seems to catch on fast when learning new things. Sis has been introduced to birds and is starting to stand her birds really nicely. [...]

Raising Puppies with Kids

Bird dogs can benefit from proper socialization when they are puppies. Kids are great for helping socialize and raise bird dog pups that are bold and well adjusted.

Steady to Flush

The Pheasant Trap

Snapped this picture earlier this year when attending a pheasant management seminar in Janesville, WI. The trap is simple and effective on recapturing those escapees. They seem to naturally come back to the flight pens and walk around the perimeter looking for a way back in to the food and water and their feathered friends. [...]

Utah Bird Dog Camp

The 2nd Annual Utah Bird Dog Camp was a big success. we had 20 dogs and nearly as many owners spend three days learning from tow of the best bird dog trainers. Dave Walker and Ben Garcia did a great job and were able to help a lot of pups and their owners. Dave Walker’s [...]

Shoot one for the dog

We do a lot of bird dog training before we ever shoot a bird for the dogs. I like the dog to do everything right before they get a bird shot over them. Shooting a bird for your dog is a reward for them and they love every aspect of it. From the point, to [...]

Coming back from Injuries

Lucy broke her leg while jumping off the back of my flatbed truck a few months back. She stuck her front leg through one of the bed rail slots and then jumped off. It was a pretty bad break and I felt just awful with her dangling by her broken leg yelping. She recovered nicely [...]

Chukar Guzzler Installed

This past week I was able to help install one of many guzzlers that are being placed to help the local chukar populations. It was a fun project with a great bunch of guys who all volunteered their time. This guzzler was funded in part by the Utah Chukar and Wildlife Foundation that does a [...]

Training with a Recall Pen

We have been having a great time using the new quail recall pens to train young bird dogs. This young german shorthair went nuts the first time we ran her on the bobwhite quail. She chased and chased until she figured out that she was never gonna catch them. After a few days of chasing [...]

California Valley Quail

I love to see these guys watching out for the safety of the covey. Reminds me of how it takes good neighbors and friends to help raise your kids and keep an eye on them. This little covey of valley quail has been living and multiplying on the farm property where I guide pheasant hunters. [...]

Water Introduction

As the weather warms up it is a good time to get young dogs introduced to water. Nothing is better at coaxing a young puppy into the water than other dogs frolicking in a pond on a hot day. The past few weeks we have been ending our training sessions with a walk to the [...]