Anyone know of any good trainers in Oklahoma?

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:59 pm

I have a 7 month old German Shorthair I am looking at sending to a trainer to have finished. She is obeying basic commands and hunting and pointing and has natural retrieving instinct so If I can get her steady on point and woah I am just looking for someone to finish her from there. Any info?

Razor · Post by **Razor** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:10 pm

Call Ronnie Smith.

TrueBlu Shorthairs · Post by **TrueBlu Shorthairs** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:16 pm

I'd go with a person proven to train GSPs. In Oklahoma it's slim pickins. I'd call Ronnie Sale in central Texas, 254-463-9000 or Keith Gulledge at Blue Dawn kennels in Madison, Kansas.

Post by **ezzy333** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:37 pm

What about Phil and Gayla? I think they are still there and Ronnie Smith should be good.

Ezzy

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:45 pm

How do I get ahold of these two people Ezzy?

Post by **ezzy333** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:58 pm

http://www.redearthoutfitters.com

Ezzy

ddshine · Post by **ddshine** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:04 pm

Tim hildaldo is located in oklahoma

ACooper · Post by **ACooper** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:01 am

Delmar Smith Kennels in Edmond, where are you located?

Hotpepper · Post by **Hotpepper** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:22 am

I also would recommend Tim Hildago as a good trainer.

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:12 am

Im not far from Edmond. Im in OKC. How do i get a hold of him?

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:41 am

I found him. Thanks guys. I got a hold of red earth outfitters yesterday and he was very helpful. Said I could come out when this cold weather passed and he would show me how he starts woah breaking so she has to spend less time with at the trainer and thus costing me less money. Which was awfully nice of him. Even So I am going to have to scrape my pennies together cause it looks like its going to cost me around $1000.00 to have him finish her from where I have her. But it will be well worth it to have a great dog. Any other suggestions would be great.

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:56 am

I believe it is a bargain, it is still going to hurt the pocket book some though. But like I said it will be well worth it.

Chief_dog · Post by **Chief_dog** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:12 pm

Duane Maness in the OKC area is a quality trainer. He's trained two gsp's for me in the past, and several for friends of mine. He's a pointer guy, but trains all breeds.

TrueBlu Shorthairs · Post by **TrueBlu Shorthairs** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:21 pm

I can't endorse Duane as a trainer only because I don't know anything of his dogs or his training, HOWEVER, I would highly recommend you go meet him. I can endorse him as a person with no hesitation.

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:14 pm

Great! how do I get a hold of him?

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:04 pm

I think Phil at red earth outfitters will be a great way to go. And for about a $1000 that is a great deal.

I miss seeing Phil on the forum? Where have you been Phil?

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:49 pm

Yeah I talked to Phil and he was a huge help. Said he charges $500.00 a month plus birds so he would need at least two months to get what i am wanting out of her which inccludes being completely woah broke and steady on and off birds, steady to wing, flush, and maybe shot, and shooting birds over her, and force broke to retrieve. He did say however that I could break it up a little and do the force fetch a little later on so the cost doesnt hit me all at once. She is only 7 months right now so I think I am going to hold off on having her force broke to retrieve till she is a little older but I think I am going to send her to him in late march or early april for the other stuff for maybe a month or so. He already told me how to get started on his method of woah breaking her so I could shave some time and money off of my bill and she is doing great after just a couple of sessions. He has been a huge help and his record speaks for itself. I look forward to working with him and if I am pleased with the results (which I am sure I will be) I will be his best advertising and customer since I plan on owning at least one more dog in the next few years. My plan is to keep two dogs at all times.

Chief_dog · Post by **Chief_dog** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:21 pm

romeo212000 wrote:Great! how do I get a hold of him?

405-769-4579

TrueBlu Shorthairs · Post by **TrueBlu Shorthairs** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:47 pm

Several caveats, any trainer who will have a dog broke in two months is doing it awfully quickly, particularly a dog that is that young. I'd wait until the dog has had a good hunting season behind her before breaking her. She needs to learn to hunt, use the wind, have gotten into plenty of wild birds, before pressure is applied. I never even consider breaking a dog until after that first season, usually when the dog is closer to 3 for breaking. Need to look at dogs broke at such a young age, then look at where those dogs are at 5 or 6. Are they still nice dogs or have they come unglued. Remember, one size does not fit all in dog training by any means. Further, please remember there are as many so called methods as there are trainers. See trainer's dogs worked and then decide if what they turn out is what you want. Any trainer who gives a time frame without seeing your dog, or even at all, should be someone of whom you are leary.

I would rather tell you the truth and not tell you "I told you so" later.

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:21 pm

When you are saying broke do you mean force broke to retrieve or woah broke. The main thing I want out of my dog right now is for her to be steady on point on birds and wing, and honoring. She has a great natural retrieving instinct so I am not too horribly worried about that right now. Eventually I will have her Force Fetched but not for at least another 6 months or a year.

Post by **ezzy333** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:33 pm

Romeo,

Phil is a good trainer with a good reputation. You know what you discussed with him and I am sure he gave you the straight info. Go with it if you are happy with what he told you. Let us know whats going on and how things turn out.

Ezzy

ACooper · Post by **ACooper** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:45 pm

I will also vouch for Duane also Tim Wright is a trainer I have recently had very good luck with.

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:07 pm

Thanks,

I have been working with her since I got her and have been amazed at how well she picks things up and retains them. I have been keeping it pretty low pressure because she is still just a pup and I am surprised just how little pressure and time she requires to learn new things. I am not looking for someone to finish her right now. Just to help me get her steady on birds and wing and flush so I can work with her around birds, hunt her, and start taking her to Shoot To Retrieve Trials, because I do not trust myself to not screw things up with her around birds since I am pretty new at this. Later I will use the same person to finish her. Obviously she is not going to be a champion her first season or year and I am not expecting that. By the time I take her to a trainer she will be a little over nine months. I dont think thats too young to teach a dog to be steady on point on birds, especially with her maturity and ability to learn. I will save the Force fetch till later since there is plenty of time for that with her having a natural retrieving instinct and all. I am taking her on her first hunt next Saturday just to get her out. I dont knwo if she will get much more than excercise out of it with the bird numbers being so low around here but it will be good to get her out and maybe we will get lucky.

gwgdog66 · Post by **gwgdog66** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:17 pm

romeo212000 wrote:Im not far from Edmond. Im in OKC. How do i get a hold of him?

Romeo,

WHat part of OKC are you in?

snips · Post by **snips** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:49 am

I have a friend in Wheeler TX that runs NSTRA and trains dogs. Dalin Kennel. He has a website.

TrueBlu Shorthairs · Post by **TrueBlu Shorthairs** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:13 am

Romeo, when I say broke I mean steady to at least the shot. Whoa broke is another animal. Not hard to get a dog whoa broke in a couple of months and have the dog staying pretty well. But, tough to go from no whoa to steady to the flush in that short a period of time.

I'm just seen to many young dogs come unglued later if they were broke early.

Good luck with the trainer you choose. Most importantly, make sure you feel comfortable with their kennel, their dogs, and them, before you commit to leaving the dog. If you feel comfortable, you should be in good shape.

One last caveat, if the trainer tells you he needs your dog there and doesn't want you around, run scared. First few weeks he needs to get the dog's attention on him, after that, he's hiding something.

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:38 am

im in south okc. moore actually.

Thanks trublu. He only said he doesnt want me to be around for the first 2 weeks. after that i am welcome any time he said. This is just what we talked about on the phone. Phil said he would make his final judgement after seeing the dog. He was just making this jusdgement based on our conversation. I wouldnt think it would be that much harder to steady a dog to wing if you already have him steady on woah, and point but maybe im wrong. I have been working her in the yard and she pretty much has it after a few sessions. At least in the yard. Like I said, all i am wanting him to do right now is get her steady on point around birds, backing, and steady to wing and getting her started shooting over her. The rest will come at a later date. The problem is I dont trust myself to train her to be steady around birds. I know a lot of dogs have been messed up because someone did not know what they were doing and applied too much pressure at the wrong time causing their dog to start blinking birds. I will save the really hard stuff for later. I definately wont force fetch her until she is at least a year old and will probably wait until afterI hunt her next season to have anything else done beyond what I have already said including force fetch.

gwgdog66 · Post by **gwgdog66** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:51 am

romeo212000 wrote:im in south okc. moore actually.

I'm in north Del City. I'm considering taking mine to get some formal schooling. The oldest is 2 years and the youngest in 9 months. They have both been on several hunting trips in the last two years. We take them to Kansas and get them into pheasants. They did very well and hold points now. I still need to get them to retreive a little better. Let me know how the training goes.

Coveyrise64 · Post by **Coveyrise64** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:51 am

If case you are interested in doing it yourself.

http://www.oknavhda.com/

We have several members in the Edmond/OKC area and have training days once a month at either Depew or Enid. There are several in the club that participate in NSTRA, AKC Hunt Tests and AKC Walking Field Trials as well.

Coveyrise64

gwgdog66 · Post by **gwgdog66** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:05 am

Thanks Covey.

steveNok · Post by **steveNok** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:41 am

I'm in Blanchard. We should hook up sometime and talk dogs and maybe do some training?

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:51 am

Sounds good. Blanchard is only about 15 or 20 minutes away from my house. I always enjoy meeting fellow gundog owners.

gwgdog66 · Post by **gwgdog66** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:00 am

Steve & Romeo,

I would too. I have access to some family property between Rush Springs and Marlow. Not too many quail there anymore, but a good place to work them.

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:01 am

Sounds great. What kind of dogs do you guys have and how old?

gwgdog66 · Post by **gwgdog66** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:04 am

Two GSP's, female is 2 years and the male is 10 months. My brother has a GSP Female 10 months.

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:08 am

I also run a GSP. She is 7 months and coming along nicely. Very forgiving as far as training and she impresses me at least once a week during training. I love working her. Like I said I am planning on sending her to a trainer at 9 or ten months to teach her to be steady on point, wing, and teach her backing. Do you guys run your dogs in trials.

gwgdog66 · Post by **gwgdog66** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 11:23 am

No, no trials. I really don't think I could get interested in that. They are hunting dogs & good pets

as you can see in my avitar

I have them coming along to the best of my ability. They know there names, Here, Kennel, and hold points well, (Naturally, I had nothing to do with that) and back each other. They aren't gun shy either. The oldest will retreive a bird pretty good. The pup will get to it and put a paw on it until you can get there. I'm planning on getting them formal training also some time this year, as well as myself.

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:10 pm

I talked to phil at red earth outfitters and he seems to be a really good guy. give his website a look and a call if you want at redearthoutfitters.com. I am going to send my pup to him in a couple of months to have him get her backing, and steady on point and to wing. I will have him work on the other stuff later when she gets a little older have her force broke to retrieve and anything else she needs. I told him what I really want is a good hunting dog that I can be competetive in field trials with. Not a Trial dog. They are trained a little differently. For me the trials are more about time spent with my dog. Not so much the competition. That way I dont have to quit hunting over my dog just because the hunting season ends. Good experince for the dogs too.

FTbritts · Post by **FTbritts** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:51 pm

Call Delmar Smith Kennels and get on Tom Smith's list. He is in south Tx at the King Ranch until the end of season. You won't be disappointed, he trains at the dogs pace and gets them looking good. I mentored under Tom for many years and you won't find a better trainer or downright honest person.

Jim

JessW · Post by **JessW** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:33 pm

my husband and I are also located in central OK and would love to hook up and work our dogs with others when possible. we have been to the NAVHDA training days and they are great but they always seem to fall on weekends when the husband works.

steveNok · Post by **steveNok** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:28 pm

GWG, Romeo, Jess and anybody else, sounds like we could have a nice group here.

I'm picking up a new pup on the 9th, he's a 4 month old English pointer. I plan on acquiring another pup (setter) in a few months as well. Just puppies for me for the next few months. I'll have my hands full, to say the least.

I'm mainly a hunter but trials aren't out of the question.

PM me and lets get a training group going.

steveNok · Post by **steveNok** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:01 am

How about a meet and greet at my house in a couple of weeks?

romeo212000 · Post by **romeo212000** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:33 am

Sounds great. Maybe the next Saturday or Saturday after? Going to go chase some birds this weekend so we will see how that goes. ANy of you guys know any secret areas we might be able to get into some birds. I know the numbers are pretty good in southwest oklahoma but its all private land down there. Black Kettle and Pack Saddle havent been too productive this year.

ACooper · Post by **ACooper** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:11 pm

I am just north of okc near Cashion.

steveNok · Post by **steveNok** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:27 pm

I'll be going to Kansas next Saturday the 9th to pick up a pup but any weekend after that works for me. Everybody is invited just get with me and let me know who all will be coming.