At Hay Creek Kennel; our training program focuses on developing a stronger relationship between you and your dog. We will guide you to recognize and address behaviors in yourself and your dog. Success requires consistency and structure; and our program will guide you through this process.
Dogs are pack animals and therefore operate with a pack mentality. Within a pack, there is only one leader, the rest of the group are followers. Your dog must accept you as a pack leader. Many of the behaviors that we consider problematic can be attributed to a dog’s confusion of who is in charge. This is generally stressful for dogs and distracts them from formal training. Most problematic behaviors disappear once proper pack structure is established. With this accomplished, training and handling both at home and in the field will be a much more enjoyable experience for both you and your dog.
To become the pack leader, you must maintain discipline, structure, and consistent boundaries. This healthy relationship will gain your dog’s love through a respect that they naturally understand. Once established, you and your dog will develop a partnership that is both healthy and rewarding equally to you and your dog.
Hay Creek Kennel offers the following training options:
Puppy Development and Bird Introduction
Puppy development is the first step in our training program and the most important thing that you will do for your bird dog to prepare them for formal training. Regardless of age, this is a step that each dog must experience. Puppy development is about exposure, being allowed opportunities to learn, and creating good habits. Our fenced in forty acre bird field provides a safe environment for your dog/puppy to gain the proper exposure to birds and gunfire, and gives them an opportunity to free run and develop healthy pack behavior. Visit our Puppy Development page for more in depth information on this program.
Formal Training
Our formal training is based on the HuntSmith™ Silent Command System. This training system has developed solid bird dogs for more than fifty years. This system begins with you. If you can read your dog and anticipate its actions, you have already started to understand how we train. Not only do we utilize this training program for working with bird dogs, but it is also what we use when helping dogs who are lacking obedience. The elements of this system are summarized below:
 Chain Think of a chain gang as a desk for your dog, similar to children in a classroom. On a chain gang dogs develop focus, patience, compliance and become ready to learn. |
 Command Lead The command lead teaches your dog to read and respond to the handler’s body movements. |
 Check Cord The check cord teaches dogs to come with us and come to us and builds the foundation for working off lead in the field. |
 Whoa Post The whoa post establishes a point of contact teaching your dog to stand still or sit still when cued. This is the first step in transitioning to an electronic collar. |
This program is approximately a three month commitment; these months may not be consecutive depending on the age, maturity, and mental state of your dog. For more information on each step in the training program visit www.huntsmith.com.
The Trained Retrieve
The trained retrieve is the final step in the formal training program. The trained retrieve is one of the best ways to build a deep bond with your dog. It is extremely beneficial for instilling confidence in both dog and handler.
Contact us to set up a complimentary consultation. During your consultation we will assess your dog’s abilities and discuss your goals and expectations.
Training Prices:
$175.00 per week
$700.00 per month
To ensure each dog receives the attention needed for success we only take a limited number of dogs for training. Early reservations are recommended.
HCK Mentor Program
In 2011 we started to offer the Hay Creek Kennel Mentor Program for those of you who are looking to learn more about the process of training and working with dogs. This is an intense and in-depth experience where you can not only learn the process of developing a bird dog, but also the extra work that goes into making a facility such as Hay Creek Kennel run efficiently. Throughout your stay, you will be working with your personal dog(s) along with the other dogs that are at the kennel. This is a great way to gain exposure handling different breeds and getting to know the unique personalities that come with each individual dog. We will also explain the mental side of our training program and how we believe these techniques benefit the dogs. The days are long but the work is rewarding if you have the desire. The minimum required stay for the Hay Creek Kennel Mentor Program is one week; however you may do multiple weeks. Housing is available upon request.
$750.00 per week
One-on-One Training
The One-on-One training is different from the Hay Creek Kennel Mentor Program in that we will focus on specific needs that you have with the training or behaviorisms of your personal dog(s). This option is great for those of you who are looking to gain more insight on how to work through specific issues and what you can be doing at home in order to keep your dog’s training moving in the right direction. You will have the opportunity to work other dogs besides your own which is an important tool due to the lack of personal attachment and/or emotion that is connected to your own dog. The One-on-One training is charged by either a one hour minimum or a full day of instruction.
Per Hour: $50.00
One Full Day: $250.00
If you plan to bring your dog to our kennel for any reason, please bring a copy of your dog’s current vaccination record. General vaccinations, along with Canine Bordetella, are required. This ensures that your dog will be in the healthiest environment possible.
We look forward to meeting you and your dog.
