No perceptive shooting man needs to be told to cherish a dog with the gift of a good nose, for dog work, together with the mysteries of scent, add up to enchantment on an autumn afternoon.

George Bird Evans

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Board & Train

Companion Gundog training focuses on developing the skill sets and instincts required on the hunt, manners and obedience necessary for the home, and skillfully balancing the development of the two. Our comprehensive programs develop drive, obedience, and clear communication. Through structured training sessions, your hunting companion will learn essential obedience skills, hone their natural hunting instincts, and develop clarity on when it is appropriate to engage in these various behaviors.

Your dog stays in our home, living alongside our personal dogs, instead of a commercial kennel environment. We take a very limited number of dogs in for board + train at any given time. This ensures the highest level of attention and care for your companion.

Program Features

  • Multiple daily training sessions focusing on

    • Obedience: reliable and responsive dogs can safely enjoy more freedom

    • Behavior: resolve behavior problems efficiently

    • Lifestyle: structure and manners make it easier to live life with your dog

    • Yardwork: solid fundamentals ease the transition to field work

  • Skill level appropriate field work sessions three days per week

  • Daily exercise, enrichment, and socialization

  • Weekly video progress reports

  • Bi-weekly in person or virtual lessons during your dog’s stay

  • Online course access

  • Training equipment included

  • Returning students receive a discounted rate

  • Obedience training to an independent 3rd party standard guaranteed

  • Lifetime support

  • Our 30 day Foundations program is a basic obedience and remote collar conditioning program for safety in the field and a well mannered companion at home. Fieldwork consists of environmental, game, and gunfire introductions. This is perfect preparation for young dogs entering their first hunting season. Combine with our puppy development program to provide the best head start your dog can have in their first year, while receiving a substantial discount.

    $4000

  • Our 60 day Specialist program is a deep dive into the pointing or retrieving skill set. Dogs here for field work are taught whoa/hup, and steadied through flush, shot, and fall. Dogs here for retrieving complete our dual reinforcement retrieve program, and force to pile, giving them the tools for more advanced breed specific work. Companion Dog training, including obedience, manners, and lifestyle skill sets, is formalized and meets the Socialized Pet Obedience Test standard.

    $6000

  • Our 90 day Versatile program produces an adaptable companion in the field and around the family. This timeframe allows for advanced public access training meeting the Community Canine or Urban Canine training standards. Fieldwork includes the full versatile dog skill set: field/area search, tracking/trailing, pointing, and retrieving, at an appropriate standard for your dogs age/experience level. Returning students work on more advanced skill sets.

    $7500

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Dog with black and white coat and brown eyes walking through dry, leafless bushes.

Private Instruction

Unlock your dog’s full potential with our private coaching programs at Iron Oak Dog Co. Tailored to meet the unique needs of both you and your hunting companion, these one-on-one sessions provide personalized instruction in a variety of environments: in home, one of our locations, and even online! Our professional trainers utilize a proprietary dual reinforcement training system to foster effective communication, produce real reliability, and strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

Whether you’re brand new to training a gundog, looking for a pre-season tune up, want to advance your dog’s skills, or are preparing for a hunt test, our private lessons equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary for lasting success. We make highly effective dog training simple to understand and implement, empowering you to create lasting change in your dogs behavior, and fostering a mutually fulfilling relationship at both ends of the leash.

Program Features

  • Self-paced, pay-as-you-go sessions

  • Bespoke training covering topics of your choice

  • Customized written training plan

  • Online course access

  • Training equipment included

  • Trainer support between sessions

  • Jump Start

    Clients begin with a Jump Start in Private Instruction Session (3 hours) or Board + Train (15 days) format. This program covers fundamental training principles, equipment selection, conditioning of markers and training tools, and development of a training plan to achieve your goals. This lays a solid foundation for future success in follow up sessions.

    Private $500 | Onsite $1000 | Board + Train $2000

  • Follow Up

    Schedule hourly follow up sessions on an as needed basis to implement your training plan. We meet as little or as often as you want, for broad overviews of multiple topics or deep dives on specific skills. Choose less frequent sessions for checking in and staying on track, or meet with your trainer frequently for intensive coaching and guidance for advanced training goals.

    Private $150 | Onsite $250

Schedule a Consultation