Looking for Trainer in CA

Ez4 · Post by **Ez4** » Thu May 22, 2014 12:17 pm

I am looking for a good retriever trainer in CA. This is for my Chesapeake who I use for both upland and duck hunting. I am near the bay area and have tried contacting a few trainers, but have had difficulty with some getting back to me. I would like to do guided training to start as I would like to pick up some skills too, then after decide if I want to board my dog there for additional training. Does anyone have recommendations? I am willing to drive further north than I am south.

chrokeva · Post by **chrokeva** » Fri May 23, 2014 5:57 pm

I too have been looking for a trainer in the bay area but I am looking for a spaniel trainer. I have found it difficult to find trainers that are interested in guided training as all I have been able to locate seem to be interested in taking the dog in for boarded training at about 6 months of age. I am not sure why this seems to be the case with gun dog trainers (at least in this area) but perhaps someone one here can help clarify?
I sure hope you get some input as I am interested in this as well.

Ez4 · Post by **Ez4** » Tue May 27, 2014 10:56 am

There is likely more money to be made on boarding/training. However, I would really like to see what they're going to be doing before sending the dog off and am happy to pay more for the peace of mind. I have heard of a few bad experiences before with boarding trainers which is why I'm after guided training, at least as an introduction.

Perhaps we can do a training meetup. I'm in the south bay. What kind of spaniel do you have?

Bluesky2012 · Post by **Bluesky2012** » Tue May 27, 2014 11:06 am

FYI duckhuntingchat.com might offer more info as it's catered towards retriever folk more than upland.

Ez4 · Post by **Ez4** » Tue May 27, 2014 11:16 am

I'm in a field more often than a blind between quail, dove, and the occasional pheasant which is why I was hoping for someone that might have experience with both. Thanks for the heads up, I will check them out.

chrokeva · Post by **chrokeva** » Tue May 27, 2014 12:48 pm

Yes I think part of it is that there is more money in taking dogs in for training. When I trained and trialed herding dogs there were many trainers that would do private lessons (guided training) so I am surprised that this does not seem to be the case with the hunting dogs. Although I guess I would not be opposed to sending my pup in for training if I felt I got in over my head, I purchased her so that I could try my hand at training a hunting dog so sending her out not my first choice. I had hoped to perhaps trial her and I do realize that may not happen if I am unable to get some guidance from a trainer which means I may just end up with a fun little hunting dog instead of a trial dog which is not the worse thing in the world

.

I have a field bred English Cocker pup (4 months old now) and am on the Peninsula.

crackerd · Post by **crackerd** » Tue May 27, 2014 1:21 pm

chrokeva wrote:I too have been looking for a trainer in the bay area but I am looking for a spaniel trainer. I have found it difficult to find trainers that are interested in guided training as all I have been able to locate seem to be interested in taking the dog in for boarded training at about 6 months of age. I am not sure why this seems to be the case with gun dog trainers (at least in this area) but perhaps someone one here can help clarify?

Very few retriever trainers and even fewer spaniel trainers do "day training." The economics - especially if a trainer were to try and make a living purely of one-day sessions - won't support it. Besides, retriever trainers (irrespective of "upland" training) are taking a dog through a systematic step-by program that takes every bit of six months and usually longer to thoroughly instill.

Unless your intent is trialing, I see no need to put your spaniel with a trainer over a long period of time - and I agree on the scarcity of spaniel training expertise that's professionally available on your terms. Thus the conundrum of having to find a talented and experienced amateur trainer who might take you under wing. Right place at the right time and it can happen - look no further than the folks who've been fortunate to get in with "gundogguy" of this forum.

MG

P&PGunsmith · Post by **P&PGunsmith** » Tue May 27, 2014 2:10 pm

try hightest (oroville) or diamond P labs (walnut grove) , i believe they both do training for dog and owner. Hightest is quite a drive for you.
Also Diamond P gun dogs between corning and chico, Pierre Urratia is a great guy. he might be your best bet but still a bit of a drive and not sure if he handles flushing training.

If this was a pointing dog i could help you alot more.

P&PGunsmith · Post by **P&PGunsmith** » Tue May 27, 2014 2:13 pm

ok here is Pierre's website and it says flushing and retrieveing breeds.
http://www.diamondpgundogs.com/

gundogguy · Post by **gundogguy** » Fri May 30, 2014 12:33 pm

chrokeva wrote:Yes I think part of it is that there is more money in taking dogs in for training. When I trained and trialed herding dogs there were many trainers that would do private lessons (guided training) so I am surprised that this does not seem to be the case with the hunting dogs. Although I guess I would not be opposed to sending my pup in for training if I felt I got in over my head, I purchased her so that I could try my hand at training a hunting dog so sending her out not my first choice. I had hoped to perhaps trial her and I do realize that may not happen if I am unable to get some guidance from a trainer which means I may just end up with a fun little hunting dog instead of a trial dog which is not the worse thing in the world .

I have a field bred English Cocker pup (4 months old now) and am on the Peninsula.

You need to contact Gary Breitbart https://www.facebook.com/gary.breitbarth.12?fref=ts

He would be at the top of list in Californiastan

gundogguy · Post by **gundogguy** » Fri May 30, 2014 4:07 pm

crackerd wrote:
chrokeva wrote:I too have been looking for a trainer in the bay area but I am looking for a spaniel trainer. I have found it difficult to find trainers that are interested in guided training as all I have been able to locate seem to be interested in taking the dog in for boarded training at about 6 months of age. I am not sure why this seems to be the case with gun dog trainers (at least in this area) but perhaps someone one here can help clarify?

[b]Very few retriever trainers and even fewer spaniel trainers do "day training." The economics - especially if a trainer were to try and make a living purely of one-day sessions - won't support it. Besides, retriever trainers (irrespective of "upland" training) are taking a dog through a systematic step-by program that takes every bit of six months and usually longer to thoroughly instill.[/b]

MG

For years I did run a weekly training class, 2 semesters spring/summer Fall/winter 24 weeks for each semester with a tuition plan $350.0 and then the attendee would pay for birds used ( prices varied but were profitable) at each session work very well for those attending and for me as the instructor dove tailed nicely with the business of training dogs that had come for training as well. There were years that "selling 5-6000 training birds was quite a normal thing. I got to do a lot of shooting.
When fuel price $1.25 gallon, I would hold four classes per week 2 evenings and 2 mornings 8 -10 different dogs per session. However as fuel price roses attendance numbers dropped dramatically. These were all breed upland classes, though I would start the non-slip pup however I would not hold any classes for those non-slip dogs in transition to the advanced training, I would refer those out to specialists in that area. It was a good gig however I doubt that It will ever come back to the level it once was.
You could say I creamed it when the business was there.
Private lessons I just never did so well at it unless I had the dog for training, scheduling conflicts always seemed to make mess of things and I usually got stood up holding the bag.
Now by the charging the "tuition" that put the motivation on the owner/handlers back to show up and be a trainer.

tailcrackin · Post by **tailcrackin** » Sat May 31, 2014 9:39 am

You might try and call Al Bianchi - Orion Kennels. He is an amatuer, but is honest on his dogs. He might know a good one to send to, and he is located in Red Bluff Ca. Thanks Jonesy

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