Dogs, training and more...
Bridget
Bodine is available for training all breeds of retrievers , pointing
dogs and flushing breeds, for upland and waterfowl. Take advantage
of her 20 years of experience to all of your training needs. She
trains at the Marshtown facilities and surrounding grounds around
the Dover Area. Bridget specializes in training gundogs as hunting
partners and participates in various hunt tests which stress the
practical aspects of the hunting dogs. She does not do training for
dogs that focus on field trails. Evaluations of your dog are done at
our Dover grounds at no cost but require an appointment. Please do
not hesitate to contact Bridget at 302-463-6444.
Anyone interested is encouraged to join the various training groups
which are held during evening hours and on the weekends. There are
many different classes forming at all times. These are group lessons
in which you join others with dogs at the same level. Or you may
choose a more intensive program which includes boarding your dog.
Dogs are housed in our modern clean kennel recenlty built on site
which features indoor and outdoor runs in a temperature control
environment. We maintain training fields in the spring and summer
between AKC Hunt Tests and NASTRA events. When boarding dog training
in done in the evening or mornings dependent upon the weather and
the dogs are out of the kennel at least
twice
every day. Our training packages are designed to meet youor needs
and customize to your dogs abilities, progress and goals. Our full
board training is very reasonably priced. Our boarding checklist and
waiver can be printed here:
Boarding Checklist
Waiver
THE WATERFOWL PROGRAM
Training is conducted on a month to month basis. We ask that you
commit to each month, but you do NOT have to commit to 3-4 months at
a time. Many owners find it very hard to send a dog away for that
period of time. It is BETTER to go the full 3-4 months which is the
average requirement at one time, without going home and possibly
undoing training. Your dog should be at least six months old and
grasp basic commands before this program. Unlike the old expression
for old dogs, there is no maximium age limit.
The first month is introduction to marks, singles in the field using
dead birds and bumpers. The dogs will be introduced to duck/goose
calls and gunfire from a distance.The will be in and out of a john
boat. The first month is also the time for obedience training in the
yard. Sit , whistle sit,Here, whistle here and Heel are the primary
commands at this time. The dog may may may not be intro'd to an
e-collar during this month.
The second month is continuing marks, shooting live birds, follow up
on obedience, intro to e-collar and force fetch. The force fetch is
a trained retrieve to turn retrieving into a command instead of a
"if you want to " behavior. Handling skills and blind retrieves are
based off of a formal fetch command. Force fetch can take as little
as 2 weeks up to 6 weeks , all depending on your dog.
The third month is continuing marks in the field , adding complexity
to marking scenarios, following through with force fetch to the T
pattern, Swim by's , and general handling skills.
The fourth month is putting it all together. At the end of 3-4
months your dog should be able do simple doubles and simple blind
retrieves. A dog that has done the full program will be ready for
Junior hunt tests and have a solid foundation for Seniors.
If your retriever is to also upland hunt this training schedule gets
modified with more field work in the first 6 weeks.
POINTING DOGS and FLUSHING DOGS
We take a limited number of pointing and flushing dogs each month.
The program is 8-12 weeks to develop a started pointing dog. Started
pointing dogs will be collar cond to "here" and whistles , possibly
collar conditioned to a "whoa". The goal for your dog will be to
point birds, hunting effectively and holding birds to flush. They
may or may not be retrieving depending on the natural apptitude of
the dog. This dog will make a nice hunting companion with miles and
birds ( experience). Additional, advanced concepts such as steady to
wing and shot or force fetch can be discussed on an individual
basis.
Flushing dogs are a 6-10 week program with collar cond to here and
whistles, hunting effectively, finding and flushing birds. They may
or may not be retrieving depending on the natural apptitude of the
dog. I do every thing that I can to develope a natural retrieve.
This dog will make a nice hunting companion with miles and birds (
experience). Sit to flush and force fetch can be discussed on an
individual basis.
ALL BREED OBEDIENCE
This is a short 2-3 week program and is designed for the following
basic commands: Sit , Heel, Here, Down, OFF, Wait, Stay on leash.
The basic commands expanded to OFF leash can take up to two
additional weeks..
Marshtown Preserve
Bridget
Bodine is available for training all breeds of retrievers , pointing
dogs and flushing breeds, for upland and waterfowl. Take advantage
of her 20 years of experience to all of your training needs. She
trains at the Marshtown facilities and surrounding grounds around
the Dover Area. Bridget specializes in training gundogs as hunting
partners and participates in various hunt tests which stress the
practical aspects of the hunting dogs. She does not do training for
dogs that focus on field trails. Evaluations of your dog are done at
our Dover grounds at no cost but require an appointment. Please do
not hesitate to contact Bridget at 302-463-6444. 
twice
every day. Our training packages are designed to meet youor needs
and customize to your dogs abilities, progress and goals. Our full
board training is very reasonably priced. Our boarding checklist and
waiver can be printed here: