WILLOW CREEK TRAINING GOALS:

• Custom train each dog to each owner’s specific needs.

• Teach you how to stay consistent with what the dog has learned.

• Dog and owner both go home with the confidence it takes to
  make a perfect team.

     We understand there is a great deal of information to transfer
after training your dog.  We will spend the time needed to ensure your understanding of the training done, and how to maintain it.  We are only a phone call away if any questions arise.

TRAINING TECHNIQUES:
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     Different dogs develop at different rates.  This said, we do not run the dogs through a fixed program. We have some methods we use more than others, but are constantly adapting training to each individual dog.  We have found praise, treats, and subtle dominance more effective than harsh corrections. We have also found that the dogs respond better and are more willing to please in a positive environment.  Our philosophy is to help dogs succeed, not trick them into failure.                                            

     Each day your dog receives at the minimum a session of bird work and a session of yard work. At Willow Creek we use a lot of birds and pack leadership to enhance your dog’s natural abilities and bring out his or her very best. We have a flexible training program and will do our best to accommodate you and your dog. If you like to do the training yourself, but do not have the experience or knowledge, we offer consulting sessions, and will work with you and your dog to guide you in training.

     Your dog will have the latest in technology and training knowledge combined with hard work to bring forth his or her very best. When your dog is finished to your standards, we take time to ensure you understand what training has been done, and how you can continue this training.

RECALL PEN:
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     We have 3 recall pens on the property.  A Quail recall pen holding up to 50 quail, a chukar recall pen holding up to 300 chukar and a pheasant recall pen holding up to 500 pheasants. This is a great way to get young dogs plenty of bird contact. These recall pens help bring out prey drive and bird finding ability by tracking, chasing, pointing, and flushing.  Most of these birds return to the pen in the evening, which provides maximum exposure to birds at minimal cost. These recall birds are much jumpier than your average pen raised bird, closer resembling a wild bird.  We also use a genetically wilder pheasant, and only the best quail and chukar available.  After the young dogs have had their turn, the more advanced dogs get a chance to work this now scattered liberation. During the summer months, we use young hen pheasants in our pheasant recall pen.  By early fall this recall pen becomes a slow release pen, and these pheasants are gradually released into the wild, giving them an opportunity to reproduce the following spring.  These once liberated birds quickly adapt to their environment, providing us with even more realistic training.

POINTER PUPPY CLASS (1 MONTH TRAINING, AT LEAST 8 MONTHS OLD):
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     First impressions are very important to a young dog and these impressions are long lasting. We can properly introduce your dog to birds, guns, cover, and water; giving them the right beginning to his or her training and hunting career. Most puppies start with 3 or 4 days of obedience training giving them time to settle in so they do not associate any anxiety with birds. This also gives puppies a chance to bond with us, and develop a trust in us. We start by running most puppies on the recall pens which builds prey drive, tracking ability, pointing, and bird sense.
     When they are hunting efficiently, and finding birds we switch them over to launching pigeons.  We have over 100 homing pigeons, again providing plenty of bird contact at minimal cost.  We place these homing pigeons in remote release traps.  At first, most dogs run in and flush the birds.  We launch the pigeons and do not say anything.  The puppy will chase the bird, then return to us looking for another.  This also develops teamwork between hunter and dog, with the dog realizing that we know where birds are.  Pretty soon most pups start pointing the bird, and we hold still until the puppy makes a move.  As soon as the puppy makes his or her move, we again launch the bird.  With repetition most pups hold this pigeon longer and longer.  With this method we bring out a natural point, and not a forced point.
     We keep the Whoa training separate from the birds so we do not associate any confusion with the birds.  This develops a more staunch, confident dog on point.  Once the puppy knows whoa, and is pointing consistently for 10 seconds or more, we begin holding the pup on his birds.  We take a very subtle approach, and calm the puppy on point with the whoa command.  Then we slowly progress

CONDITIONED RETRIEVE (4-6 WEEKS TRAINING, AT LEAST 1 YEAR OLD):
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     Again, dogs progress at different rates.  We use the toe hitch method, and a conditioning process, hence the conditioned retrieve and not the force fetch. There are many different methods out there.  Our conditioned retrieve starts fetch with a string around the dogs toe. The dog opens their mouth feeling their foot is caught in something.  Naturally, they bite at it. When they do, the dowel goes in their mouth. After a little repetition, the dog learns by “fetching” the dowel, they release their toe. Most dogs enjoy the conditioned retrieve. They enjoy working on the table for the affection, treats, and the feeling of success they receive with each and every accomplishment . When we are done, your dog will retrieve birds to hand in a positive manor, and be collar conditioned to “fetch”, “hold”, and “here”.  The conditioned retrieve is also the basis for blind retrieves.

HISTORY:
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     A pair of wood ducks sailed by Chad Hines and his dad on a crisp October morning of 1987.  One came down, and Chad’s dad pulled Chad and “puppy”, their lab/spring cross, through the cattails searching for this downed wood duck.  Chad remembers many hours spent with “puppy” trying to train him.  Still “puppy” would not go into the water.  Chad turned and said to his father, “dad, I think we need a better dog.”  He has been searching for one better than the last ever since, through breeding German Shorthaired Pointers and further research in training.

     Much of Chad’s early training knowledge was learned in 4H, instructors JP and Linda Martin were instrumental in filling his young mind with training methods and techniques.  He read and watched any video or book he could find on the subject. At first he trained his own dogs, than his friends and families dogs. He worked along side other trainers to build his knowledge and experience. The business bloomed from there and helped to pay his way through college. When the time came to decide weather to teach biology and general science at high school, or teach dogs and their owners, he chose his life’s passion, training hunting dogs.

     Jodi joined the team in 2004.  It was immediately evident she had a hidden talent to train and handle hunting dogs.  She also has an innate ability to read dogs.  Jodi brings enthusiasm and hard work with her every day to Willow Creek.  The dogs truly enjoy working with Jodi, and are always excited to see her. She has now trained and handled several pointing dogs to senior and master titles, as well as countless hunting dogs to the best of their ability.   

OBEDIENCE:
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     Obedience is included in all of the hunting training programs. We  collar condition every dog to "here" and "whoa". They also learn to heel on lead. Throughout their training , the dogs learn to follow our cues for direction and how to become a calm submissive part of the pack. If you are looking for more obedience or only obedience, don't hesitate to ask. We are very accommodating and are here to help you achieve your goals.

PROBLEM DOGS:
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     We have dealt with dogs that have aggression, anxiety, nervous tendencies even soft dogs and fear biters. These issues can be cured. We approach these problems in a natural, assertive and patient way. We can help your dog through their problems, and show you how to stay consistent and maintain their healthy state of mind.     

GUNSHYNESS:
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     This is something that can be cured. We have many tactics to condition your dog to gunfire. The length of this course depends greatly on the severity of the issue. The more the dog has been conditioned to dislike the gunfire, the longer it will take to recondition him. If you notice your dog hesitating at the shot, it is best to slow down with the introduction and correct the problem before it becomes an issue. If a dog is nervous about the shot they don't always hesitate. It isn't as obvious in some as it is in others. Less obvious signs of gun sensitivity may be the dog working closer or walking with you for a while. They may also stop chasing the bird at the shot or not chase the next one at all. If you think this may be a problem with your dog please give us a call and we can talk about some different options.

CONSULTING:
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     We offer consulting sessions to anyone that would like an extra hand. We can go over games that you can play with your young pup, to bring out their natural talents and pack orientation skills. We can take you through the steps on how to train your own dog to be steady to wing, retrieve, obedient or anything else you're interested in. Birds are great at any age. A consulting session is a good way to introduce a young pup to a few birds and ensure that you and your family get off on the right foot to a happy healthy relationship. We can also help if you are in a training rut and can't seem to get past a certain point. We can help you with your troubles an then point you in the right direction.

PRICES:
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Training          $750/month
                         $30/day

Boarding        $15/day

Consulting     $50/hour

These prices are all inclusive (birds, boarding, dog food, general care and grooming of your companion).