Pro hunting dog training...costs/length of time

[Badland]

I have a 5.5 mo old GWP that I am looking into hiring a pro trainer for. I know I could do a decent job on my own as I have some experience but I would like that next level of steadiness. I have been seeing my local guys asking anywhere from 1000-1500 a month which seems nuts to me. I was told by others (not local) they paid 500 a month for a pro trainer which seems very reasonable.

Then my next question is how long, I see lots of guys saying 3 months minimum and that seems like a long time. I was thinking more like 6 weeks. Because as nice as it would be I really do not need a finished dog... I want a dog that fetches up birds, has great obedience (which for his age he is pretty damn good already) and holds point to shot. I set up a time for tomorrow to talk with a guy who specializes in GWP's and I explained what I would like and he sounded like he can make the program unique for the owner's expectations.

Just curious what other's experiences are!

 

[Rob5589]

250-400 per week seems about average for training labs around here. 20+ years ago I was paying 175 per week to train my Brittany. How long depends on the dog. 2+ months isn't out of the realm of possibilities.

 

[Wellsdw]

We Sent malinois off for advanced offleash training and it was roughly 1500. I know it’s not hunt training But still has similar expertise. You also have to consider part of that cost is boarding essentially. Which avg. 30-35 a day. My advice would be to see what kind of “product” they turn out, also set expectations for the trainer. You don’t want them spending time on training aspects that you wont use in the field. If that makes sense. Also find out what obedience level they should be a when they go.

 

[JBrew]

$750-$1250 seems about the norm here lately from what I've seen. TN

 

[Dos Perros]

Labs are more than bird dogs for training. I think a reputable bird dog trainer can get $600/mo. Many are less, but I'd pay the right guy/gal $600 if it meant daily runs and wild birds.

Seeing as how it's already late summer you're probably SOL until next year. The good ones are likely filled up.

I'd hunt that dog this fall, put it on tons of wild birds, only shoot the ones the dog handles correctly. That gives you time to research and visit with some trainers and get a reservation for next summer. I'd want 2 months minimum and 3 if you want FF. I wouldn't expect much for obedience training. The dog is only getting handled for hunting specific training. There's some overlap of course but it's not like the dog is going to get broken of jumping on the couch by going to a pro trainer.

 

[KurtR]

40 a day is about average. If they are good they will tell you how long roughly as every dog is different and to ff its 40 days or so in its self.

 

[WCB]

With a 5.5 mo old I would work on obedience and hunt it this fall. Do the basics and let the dog get on wild birds. We have French Britts and have sent them to a trainer for certain small things and also luckily are very good friends in close proximity to the trainer so we can call and get instruction of touch ups on things almost on call.

Our routine is basic obedience and training through the first season. We have older finished dogs that we hunt the pups with and they learn a ton from them the first season. We believe in letting the pup figure it out make mistakes and be a puppy for that first season. Then we really know more of the dogs tendencies and hit the training hard after that first season.

Price wise seems right...not that you couldn't find less expensive but what you quoted doesn't seem asinine, depending on what is included.

 

[Laramie]

Costs do vary by region/cost of living. I personally think $500-$1000 is reasonable as long as the trainer is solid. If you haven't been around professional trainers, you may want to spend some time prior to committing. Their tactics aren't always "kind". There are some pretty cruel techniques used by some to shorten the learning curve. If you find one who trains kindly, I think 8 weeks should be a minimum for a hunting dog and more likely you would be happier with a dog that had 12 weeks. It does depend on the dog though. I am by no means en experienced trainer but I worked for a trainer for a couple summers and then successfully trained a few labs on my own. I personally believe in the end a person is better off training themselves if they have the time a patience. There is plenty of information out there for the diy trainers to be effective.

 

[bozeman]

From my experience, a several lab retrievers, the trainer's personality and approach are critical before discussing $$. Some questions to think about: What type of learning/discipline methodologies do they utilize? Is there training system defined or 'just go with the flow'? Will they allow you to visit and participate in training? I have seen trainers completely ruin a high pedigree pup and have seen trainers take a standard pedigree pup rise to high levels. I have personally paid from $1,000-$1,700/month per what was being trained. Basic obedience, running blinds/hand signals....... Best of luck!

 

[chukar_chaser]

I wouldnt send a 5.5 month old dog for training. Waste of money. Hunt the dog this upcoming season and then make decisions after that.

 

[Eagle]

I agree with the others on not rushing the training with a 5.5 month old gwp. If you've got a NAVHDA chapter near by, get in touch with them and go to some of their training days with him/her. I have a 6 month old sm and if I've learned anything from NAVHDA so far, its that you can't take it too slow, but you can certainly go too fast. Let the pup be a pup, hunt as much as you can this fall, and then if you want to get the dog to a more finished state next spring/summer, make that call then. Also check out gundogityourself as a resource for training on your own.

 

[Badland]

Talked to a guy today. Seems about as legit as they come, wasn’t pushy at all. Invited me to come out to see how my dog does and decide if I wanna put him on a lot of wild birds this year and then next year decide if I want to hire him based on how he does or he has a 6 week program he has a slot open starting next week where he trains dogs under 16 months for NAVHDA competition. He also is the local NAVHDA president. Last year with 6 wirehairs he produced 4 gold and 2 bronze. Told me he takes dogs that won’t compete too if there is room. I’d say I found the right trainer. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[Badland]

I agree with the others on not rushing the training with a 5.5 month old gwp. If you've got a NAVHDA chapter near by, get in touch with them and go to some of their training days with him/her. I have a 6 month old sm and if I've learned anything from NAVHDA so far, its that you can't take it too slow, but you can certainly go too fast. Let the pup be a pup, hunt as much as you can this fall, and then if you want to get the dog to a more finished state next spring/summer, make that call then. Also check out gundogityourself as a resource for training on your own.

Unless something changes I’m gonna take direction from this guy and likely wait till after this fall. He said he can do indoor training in the winter too, just can’t do water work then of course.

 

[Laramie]

Sounds like you probably found a good one. Would be great if you gave an update or two along the way. Good luck!

 

[Eagle]

Talked to a guy today. Seems about as legit as they come, wasn’t pushy at all. Invited me to come out to see how my dog does and decide if I wanna put him on a lot of wild birds this year and then next year decide if I want to hire him based on how he does or he has a 6 week program he has a slot open starting next week where he trains dogs under 16 months for NAVHDA competition. He also is the local NAVHDA president. Last year with 6 wirehairs he produced 4 gold and 2 bronze. Told me he takes dogs that won’t compete too if there is room. I’d say I found the right trainer. Thanks for the info guys.

That's great, the Natural Ability test, which is what he is talking about with the pups last year, is pretty much just determining if your dog will be a capable versatile dog or not, dog generally has to be under 16 months to be put through the NA, but with COVID cancelling a lot of test dates in the spring, there will be some older dogs testing this year and next. It tests all the basics, search, track, gun shyness, point, water affinity, etc. Never heard of the prize one/two/three referred to as "gold/silver/bronze" for NA but I guess that's his way of simplifying it. Good luck and keep us up to date!

 

[MJB]

NAVHDA will steer you in the right direction. Not only train the dog but also you!

 

[Badland]

That's great, the Natural Ability test, which is what he is talking about with the pups last year, is pretty much just determining if your dog will be a capable versatile dog or not, dog generally has to be under 16 months to be put through the NA, but with COVID cancelling a lot of test dates in the spring, there will be some older dogs testing this year and next. It tests all the basics, search, track, gun shyness, point, water affinity, etc. Never heard of the prize one/two/three referred to as "gold/silver/bronze" for NA but I guess that's his way of simplifying it. Good luck and keep us up to date!

Yeah, you are correct, it was my wording as that is how I understood it. He stated he had 4 do the best and 2 do well but not the best. I don't recall his exact verbiage. I did some reading after I posted here and realized it wasn't exactly like I thought but I was close haha.

 

[Rich M]

Imo, the more time the dog gets the better it'll be. My dad always tried to work with his dogs and managed to train 2 setters not to retrieve. LOL let the pros handle it.

Just my opinion. Your dog, your call.

 

[qwerksc]

I've been with a trainer for 3 years, I pay a reasonable price for what I get. Four months in the spring and summer, Six days a week with tons of bird work, the guy has a huge bird budget with chukar, quail and pidgins. We do mock trials and hunt tests, but, I hunt the dogs in the uplands, straight meat dogs. I can't put that kind of time in on the dog, with that amount birds. Both dogs started at 7 months, with me prepping the pups and imprinting. I also kennel the dogs there when on vaca, they get training for that time. My dogs love the pro and froth when we get close to the kennel.
When I get them back, usually end of july, we have a fun month of playing and conditioning, then it's all wild bird contact for the rest of the year.
If you got good genes, hopefully the dog does his job and looks good doing it.
I'll do two seasons of training to get what we need, maybe more if they are good at the games.

 

[ODB]

I have a 5.5 mo old GWP that I am looking into hiring a pro trainer for. I know I could do a decent job on my own as I have some experience but I would like that next level of steadiness. I have been seeing my local guys asking anywhere from 1000-1500 a month which seems nuts to me. I was told by others (not local) they paid 500 a month for a pro trainer which seems very reasonable.

Then my next question is how long, I see lots of guys saying 3 months minimum and that seems like a long time. I was thinking more like 6 weeks. Because as nice as it would be I really do not need a finished dog... I want a dog that fetches up birds, has great obedience (which for his age he is pretty damn good already) and holds point to shot. I set up a time for tomorrow to talk with a guy who specializes in GWP's and I explained what I would like and he sounded like he can make the program unique for the owner's expectations.

Just curious what other's experiences are!

What state are you in? SoDak?