Call or Text Todd @ 406-941-3578 Email: tlkennels@gmail.com
Training Services
Bird Dog Basics
-Proper introduction to birds, then help pup build enthusiasm and confidence around birds.
-Proper introduction to gunfire.
-Start and/or finish training a reliable recall ("Here")
-Teach a reinforcable turn to require pup to go with
-Analyze and if possible develop the pup's natural retrieve.
-Takes approximately 1-1.5 months.
-Training rate is $300 per week.
Formal Bird Dog Training
-Proper introduction to birds, then help dog build enthusiasm and confidence around birds.
-Proper introduction to gunfire.
-Teach a reliable recall ("Here")
-Teach an enforceable turn to require pup to go with in the field.
-Analyze and if possible develop the dog's natural retrieve.
-Teach the dog an enforceable stand still ("Whoa").
-Use the enforceable stand still to start teaching manners around birds. (i.e. no chasing birds that fly, requiring the dog to honor other dogs on point, and/or no moving until gun goes off, and/or no moving until released by handler).
-Takes approximately 3 months.
-Limited spots available early April - late August.
-Training rate is $300 per week.
Wild Bird Work
The only way for a dog to develop its skills on wild birds is with exposure to wild birds in their natural habitat. We have exclusive access to thousands of acres of prime Eastern Montana wild bird habitat. Including Sharptailed Grouse, Hungarian Partridge, and Pheasants. The dogs that get the opportunity to come partake in this offering will be running in excellent habitat that holds thousands of wild birds. The experience level of the dog going in will determine what they will gain from this work. For inexperienced pups, they'll begin their education with wild birds and have the opportunity for some initial light bulb moments of finding their first wild bird with their nose, potentially pointing their first wild bird, and working different types of cover and terrain. For more advanced dogs, they'll get a chance to fine tune their skills, learn how to outsmart tricky birds, honor other dogs on point, and work on their steadiness on them. It's not an exaggeration to say that the dogs in this program will have a chance to work hundreds of wild birds during this training stay.
-Offered in the August - October timeframe
-Wild Bird rate is $300 per week.
Porcupine Avoidance
-The title should mostly explain this one.
-Rate is $100/dog.
Private Lessons/Seminars
Private lessons are a great way to get your questions answered and gain proficiency as a trainer. I have all the necessary training equipment as well as birds here at the kennel and often use my dogs to demonstrate training topics or show you what to expect later on in the process.
Rate/hour is $75
Rate/half day (four hours) is $250
Rate/full day (eight hours) is $500
We have been fortunate enough to be able to host a Rick Smith Seminar for the past four years in a row and will be hosting one again on August 10th and 11th of 2024. Please call or email for details and to get signed up.
Todd has assisted Rick Smith at about a half dozen seminars and has given a seminar himself. Please contact Todd if you're interested in having him give a seminar for your group or club.