Training

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Overview

At Epps Kennels we are dedicated to providing our clients with the highest quality training.

Our training programs include basic obedience, gundog training, steady to wing and shot to complete competition training for both pointing breeds and retrievers.  Throughout our web site, we use the term Gundog training synonymously with "Bird dog training" or "Hunting dog training", or "Retriever training"  because every dog we train at this level, regardless of breed, is taken to it's fullest potential, whether it's pointing, flushing or a combination of both. 

Each of these programs are designed to have your dog ready to hunt or compete at whatever level an owner would desire.

All of our programs are designed so the owner comes out and is taught to handle their dog during the last two weeks of training. During this time you are taught all the commands and how to execute them properly and how to handle your dog in the field. As with all training programs, the training is only as good as the handler.

Our training facility was designed and developed with 2 lakes, year round cover and hunting objectives enabling us to teach dogs to handle multiple terrains and types of cover.  Chukar and Quail used in this natural setting to ensure our training approach is enhanced to its maximum by integrating the same hunting environment and upland bird combinations your birddog will encounter in the field.  This serene and tranquil setting provides an uninterrupted environment for enhanced learning and focused training.

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Obedience and Gun Dog Training Programs

Our Gun Dog program begins with basic obedience, that includes “heel” (walk on left side), “whoa” (stop), “sit”, “stay”, and “come”.  Obedience training includes voice and hand signals and is the foundation on which all other training is built on.  It introduces the concept of right and wrong, while focusing on correlating positive affection with “right” or the desired action.  As the program progresses, basic obedience expands and evolves to include the command, “kennel” (load into a portable kennel), retrieving to hand, proper field handling and patterning and water work.  While some dogs have a wonderful instinct to naturally retrieve, all too frequently, a situation will occur in the field and they will stop retrieving in whole or part.  Our methodology incorporates a process that ensures your gundog will retrieve to hand at all times, in or out of the field.  Taking this extra step is a process we have found through years of experience that contributes to making the most complete and reliable bird dog.  As your gundog training nears completion, you are invited out to watch your dog work, hunting, handling birds, being shot over and retrieving to hand.  You will be tutored on obedience, retrieving, handling and walkthrough multiple sessions of hands-on work with your dog.

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Steady to Wing program

This program is layered on the foundation of our Gun Dog program and advances your dog to the next level.  In this program your gundogs bird work is enhanced by honing and integrating the obedience program, gundog training and advanced pointing program we have designed over the years.  Your gundog is trained to stand steady when a bird is flushed and continue to stand until either a shot is fired or the handler calls the dog.  This enhanced program provides you with more control and flexibility of your dog while working in the field.  The program also helps you and your gundog acclimate to changing conditions in the field as the weather and hunting pressures modify bird patterns and hunting approaches.  In addition, many families that hunt together find this program especially helpful for young or inexperienced family members that you are trying to put in a position get a good shot prior to flushing and shooting birds.

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Steady to Wing and Shot

Taking your gundog through this final program, steady to wing and shot, is the culmination of all the foundational training and creates the ultimate polished bird dog.  Experiencing your gundog finding a covey of birds, pointing, and then standing steady to wing and shot, waiting for your signal to retrieve is truly remarkable.  In this program your gundog is trained to stand on point after the bird has flushed, shots are fired and you send them to retrieve.  As in all our gundog programs you are trained with your dog in the final phases of training.  Training your gundog steady to wing and shot provides the most control and flexibility to hunting conditions and extends your gundog’s ability to their very best.  It is generally requested by our most experienced clients and hunters, but also takes the most skill and experience on your part to sustain your gundog at this peak level.  This level of training extends the communication, hunting style and relationship between owner and gundog to a plateau that is truly hard to describe until it is achieved.

This is the program that includes our AKC, American Field and National Bird Dog Challenge training.  Whether your competition is on foot, ATV or horse-back, this program will get you and your dog ready for the most challenging and exciting events of your life! 

Below are a few examples of AKC and BDC champion dogs trained by Walter and Steve that won some of the highest honors in Field and Show competition and were outstanding dogs to hunt over in the field.

AKC National Field Champion - Moesgaard's Angel Handled by Walter Epps

AKC Dual Champion - Schatzi's Eric Von Grief Handled by Steven Epps

Bing's One Eyed Jack - Handled by Bing Wesner and Bryan Matthews Currently 3rd in the BDC "World Ranking 2010-2011 Pointer" competition

 

Dogs with pre-existing training issues

We can often resolve your dog’s pre-existing issues.  Depending on the severity of the issue, we can help with dogs that are guy shy, bird shy, man shy, blinking birds (smelling the bird, turning away instead of pointing) blinking honors (see a dog on point, but turning away instead of honoring the pointing dog), bumping birds, or hard-mouthed (eating or crushing the bird).  Each dog is different and each issue is different, however, the majority of these issues can be resolved on most dogs.

If you look at our references, you’ll see many of our clients came to us with exactly these type of issues and had many terrific years of hunting or competing with their dog after training was complete.