WASHITA
RETRIEVERS
WASHITA
RETRIEVERS
"Devoted to the Breeding and Development of Quality Hunting Retrievers"
Specializing in Retriever Field Training for both the Hunter and Field Test Competitor
Field Training - Details / FAQ's
How much is Field Training and what does it include?
For dogs beginning field training with Washita Retrievers on or after January 1, 2023, the cost is $700 per month. Included in the price are training, food, boarding, and monthly heartworm prevention. Payment is typically due at the beginning of the month, and a $350 deposit is typically required when scheduling a dog in for training. We take cash, checks, and Venmo (provided no fee is assesed on our end). As of January 1, 2023, we no longer accept credit cards.
How much are Handling / Travel Fees?
In an effort to still keep fees as predictable as possible, we have a graduated handling fee schedule described below. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. – If you're interested in us running your retriever in field tests (AKC, and HRC), we charge a handling fee of $60 per test entered up to 200 miles from the kennel, $75 per test entered for tests 201 to 350 miles from the kennel, and $90 per test entered for tests 351 miles and up. plus you pay for the actual entry fee. This covers our expenses to, from, and during the test so you don't have to worry about being “hit” with unpredictable “expense” charges at the end of the month. Our pricing structure allows you to effectively budget your dog dollars and not be caught off guard with unexpected fees. Please keep in mind that most HRC events and some AKC events have the opportunity to enter two separate tests during the weekend. The ONLY EXCEPTION to the fees described above applies to the Spring and Fall International HRC Grand Hunts and the AKC Master National event. Dogs participating in these will incur a $60 handling fee per series in which they participate and a portion of actual expenses involved in travel, lodging, etc. associated with these long events. The portion of expenses each dog incurs is directly proportionate to the number of dogs Washita Retrievers takes to run in the event.
What happens if my dog gets sick or injured?
When you bring your dog to Washita Retrievers, you sign a release that enables us to seek medical attention in case of illness or injury. We apply the same criteria regarding whether or not to take your dog to the vet that we apply to our own. We understand your dog is as much a part of your family as ours are our family.
How often will my dog be trained?
We train five to six days per week at Washita Retrievers. Depending on the individual retriever's stage of training, he might spend more days in the field doing field work or in the yard doing obedience and drill work.
How long will it take to train my Retriever?
Training times for individual retrievers vary, but as a rule of thumb, it will take three to four months to train a well-bred, capable dog to the Started or Junior level. For this reason, we have a three month minimum training time for field training at Washita Retrievers. A dog at the Started or Junior level is mostly steady, obedient, delivers the bird to hand, and is capable of completing most land and water single marks at reasonable distances and difficulty levels. In addition, many times a dog at this level has been introduced to the drills that lead into beginning handling and eventually running blinds. A dog at this level can successfully compete in NAHRA Started, AKC Junior, and UKC Started tests.
Training times past the Started / Junior level can vary more drastically. However, we can evaluate the dog at this stage much more accurately to determine his ultimate capabilities and the goals most reasonable to set for the individual retriever. In many cases, a dog that has been in training for six to ten months can successfully compete at the NAHRA Intermediate, AKC Senior, and UKC Seasoned level. A dog reaching this level must be able to successfully retrieve double marks on land and water, must be handling at the level of running blind retrieves on land and water, and in some cases must be able to trail injured game and quarter an upland field. Beyond this level are the NAHRA Senior, AKC Master, and UKC Finished levels. A dog that has reached this level must be able to successfully retrieve triple marks on land and water with blind retrieves mixed in, quarter an upland field and sit upon the flush, and trail injured game.
What happens if my retriever is not responding favorably to the training in the first three months?
Sometimes, it's hard to see progress in the first couple of months of training...especially the first. This is because we are working from several different directions on the dogs training and then bringing it all together at a single point. Often times progression appears slow until this point. However, appearances can be deceptive at this stage. In contrast, if we at Washita Retrievers recognize that your dog is not progressing as anticipated at this stage, we will contact you immediately and discuss the best course of action for you and your dog.
As stated on a previous page, we vary our training program in order to fit the individual Retriever. This does not, however, mean that we lower our standards. It does mean that we are willing to do what it takes to give each individual dog the opportunity to succeed. This philosophy has enabled us to take retrievers that have been sent home by other professional trainers, but whose owners were not willing to give up on, and mold them into the successful hunt test competitors and hunting companions their owners desired.
Are you willing to provide references for your kennel?
A resounding YES! We believe at Washita Retrievers that choosing the right training kennel for you and your retriever is the most important factor in your young retriever's development. Not only do we provide references upon request, but also we encourage site visits to prospective kennels and training visits with prospective trainers. When you're spending time doing your homework, we recommend not only focusing on the quality of training the retrievers receive, but also on the attitude the dogs display. Feel free to contact us if you're interested in training with us or visiting the kennel facilities.
What is the best way to contact you?
We spend several days a week in the field running marks and blinds. We spend the rest of our time at the kennel running drills, going through obedience, collar conditioning, and the conditioned retrieve. Overall, the best way to contact us is by e-mail, chesnut@washita.com. In the areas we often train, voice service on mobile phones is very difficult, but I can always get e-mail to my mobile within just a while. If you like to text, feel free at 405-896-0522 and I'll usually be able to respond within a few minutes.
Field Training Details/FAQ
Training
Grounds and Technical Water Client
Pictures
Client
Endorsements Hunt
Test Titles and Test Results
Contact: Jeff
Chesnut
Washita Retrievers
189 County Road 1570, Marlow, OK
73055
Phone: (580) 476-2126
Email: chesnut@washita.com
Mobile: 405-896-0522 or 405-896-0LAB
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