Gun Dog Training

At Zion Kennels, we specialize in training top-notch hunting companions and competition retrievers. With over 30 years of experience, our team of dedicated employees ensures that your dog receives personalized attention to maximize their success.

Whether you’re preparing for the next hunting season or aiming for the AKC Master Hunter level, we’ve got you covered.

We accept new dogs on a minimum 1-month term. Gun dogs typically require 4 months of training, while Hunt Test and Advanced Retriever dogs will need more time.

Trust Zion Kennels to elevate your dog’s skills and abilities in the field.

  • Our comprehensive range of services includes AKC/UKC Events Training, where we prepare you and your retriever for competitive events to showcase their exceptional abilities.
  • We offer Retriever Gundog Training to develop your retriever’s natural instincts and transform them into a skilled gundog, capable of retrieving game with precision and efficiency.
  • For those Seeking a New Puppy, we provide assistance in finding the perfect pup that meets your specific requirements and expectations.
  • Our Puppy Head Start Program is designed to give young retrievers the best possible start by nurturing their natural talents under the time-proven techniques of Zion Kennels. The program introduces your puppy (4 months old) to water, birds, and basic obedience commands, making them “birdy” and enthusiastic retrievers.
  • Additionally, every Retriever in Gundog training through Advanced Retriever Training will have Advanced Obedience to instill discipline and ensure your retriever is well-behaved and responsive to commands.
  • Collar Conditioning is another essential service we offer, teaching your retriever to respond to collar cues for enhanced control and precision during training and hunting.
  • We also master the technique of Force Fetch to create reliable and efficient retrievers to hand.
  • Steady to Shot training ensures that your retriever remains composed during gunfire, maintaining focus on the task at hand.
  • For those looking to elevate their retriever’s skills, our Advanced Retriever Training is tailored to each retriever’s abilities. Equipping them with the ability to interpret Hand Signals for Blind Retrieves, enabling them to retrieve game they didn’t see fall in challenging scenarios. Also in our Advanced Retriever Program we enhance your retriever’s marking abilities, we train them to identify and retrieve multiple birds with accuracy through various terrains to prepare your retriever for real-life hunting situations.
  • We also provide Handling Techniques for Owners, enabling you to maximize your retriever’s potential and performance.
  • Our training sessions use Real Birds to provide the most authentic and realistic experience.
  • For outdoor enthusiasts, we offer Deer Antler Shed Hunting Training to develop your retriever’s ability to locate and retrieve deer antler sheds.
  • We also provide Boarding Services to ensure the care and well-being of your retriever while you are away.
  • To fine-tune your retriever’s hunting skills and to get them in shape before the season begins, we offer Preseason Hunting Tuneups, ensuring they are ready for a successful and rewarding experience.

At our establishment, we are committed to providing the highest level of professionalism and expertise in all aspects of retriever training. We look forward to serving you and your beloved retriever.

 

Five Things for Finding and Starting a Retriever Puppy for Hunting.

  1. Finding a pup. Call a retriever trainer that you want to use that is reputable and ask them where to get a puppy. They know the good breeders and the ones to steer away from. They also can inform you about what to look for in a pedigree and health guarantees.
  2. Don’t rush it or push too hard. You’re not gonna make a finished master level dog in six months. Don’t overdo it. Work in 10 to 15 minute sessions a couple of times a day.
  3. Don’t wait to start retrieving. When you get your puppy at seven weeks old you should be retrieving. Get a rolled up sock or a white paint roller and start throwing it for your puppy. Get in a hallway or some type of long corridor. Sit at the open end after closing all the doors with your legs spread and the puppy in between your legs. You’re going to hold the puppy up by his chest with his back to feet on the ground and throw the paint roller to the end of the hallway and release the puppy as soon as it hits the ground on his name. When the puppy gets the paint roller and starts to retrieve it you’re gonna clap and tell the puppy “here”. Repeat two or three times then stop. Do not overdo it. You can do multiple sessions in one night, for example before dinner and after dinner and before you go to bed.
  4. When the puppy retrieves do not take the paint roller you’re throwing away from the puppy too fast. Praise the puppy that he came to you and love on him and let him chew on the toy or paint roller for about 5 to 10 seconds while you’re petting him. Then take the object away. You want to do this because by taking the object away to fast the puppy is going to start to avoid you and not bring you the retrieve.
  5. Introduction to water. Don’t rush it. You want to wade out with them on a warm day on a beach type area where it the shore slopes in gradually. Stay away from swimming pools they can get scary to a small puppy.

Bonus tip: do not steady your dog. What I mean by that is do not make him sit and stay while you throw your object and then release him. What you’re doing is killing the dogs desire to retrieve and as a puppy you want to build that desire. You can work on sit, stay and walk on the leash just don’t do it as they retrieve. Retrieving at this time should just be for fun and excitement. Let your trainer steady the dog at the appropriate time.

DROP-OFF CHECK LIST

– Shot Record – current normal shot record of your puppy, including Bordetella
– Heart-worm Medication for their entire stay
– Flat buckle collar
– Application Form filled out
– Enough Food (4 feedings) for a transition to our food.
– First Payment is due at dropoff
– No Toys or Bedding is needed
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Ready To Reserve Your Spot?

Let’s Get Your Retriever Retrieving

What our Customers are Saying.

  • Eddie has been a great mentor to me with all my dogs. He has had the patience with all my questions and even allowed me to bring my children to the grounds while I was learning how to work my dogs. I would train with him each day for hours and every dog looked great, including his obedience dogs. The nice part was that any dog that would go to the line with him, was always happy. None ever looked afraid or timid as I have seen with some other trainers. Eddie's dogs have always been excited to work. I always recommend Eddie to my puppy buyers for training because I trust him. - Laura McCaw

    Laura McCaw
  • I have had a dog at this Kennel with Eddie for a year now. He is very experienced and a great trainer who truly cares for each animal he trains. He takes care of every animal like it is his own and loves on them all like they are his own. He is always upgrading and keeping his kennels and pens the best that he can. I have had a great experience with Eddie and plan on continuing to let him handle all of my dogs present and future and even encourage all of my family to take their dogs to him in the future as well. I noticed where there was a review that showed Eddie in negative light and feel that it does not reflect Eddie in any way. He has taken care of my lab "Bridgett" who is a hard runner who struggles to keep weight on at times in the best shape she could possibly be in. I have never had any concern with how he was taking care of her and knew that he always had the best intentions for her and all of the other dogs that are at Zion Kennels. Don't miss the opportunity to get your dog trained at a top of the line kennel with a top of the line trainer and assistants. Do yourself a favor and visit with Eddie, Kelli, and Matt and see for yourself just how good of people they are and how much they care for the dogs they are training. I think this photo shows just how much Eddie helps guide these dogs he trains to do the one thing they absolutely love to do and thats retrieve.

    William Reed
  • Our fur babies love the team at Zion Kennels. Eddie has been training dogs for a lot of years and I trust his training techniques. He is very professional and caring, our dogs love him! His staff is also caring and knowledgeable about pet care. They are always very well cared for and never apprehensive about being dropped off there. They have lots of opportunity to stretch their legs and come home fit and trim with better manners lol! I recommend Zion Kennels to all my friends. It is so great to know I can have peace of mind every time I have to leave my fur kids behind. - Heather Grisham

    Heather Grisham