UPDATE 12/1/2022-COURSE IS FULL

This class is designed to assist members with learning concepts needed to help them advance their dog toward becoming a “finished” gun dog and/or preparing for the NA VHDA Utility Preparatory or Utility Tests.

Location: 14602 Dunkirk St NE Ham Lake, MN 55304

Session days & times are:

Group A

Meet Saturday mornings 9:30am to NOON on  Feb 11th, March 11th, April 8th, April 22nd

Group B

Meet Thursday Afternoons 2:30-5:00pm on  Feb 2nd, March 2nd, April 6th,  April 27th

Group C

Meet Thursday Evenings 6:00-8;30pm on Feb 9th, March 9th, April 13th,  April 27th

Limited to 16 people

(Open to Chapter Members ONLY with recognized NAVHDA breeds)

Groups will meet once per month for 4 months. 

Location:  Ham Lake, MN

Course Cost:  $60.00 (donation to chapter)

You may also need to purchase other training equipment (leashes, collars, dummies) depending on what you have, as well as build a training table if you do not have one.

You will also need dead frozen birds including ducks to use in Retrieve training.    You will be required to buy some if you do not have any.  These will be available for purchase at a cost of $8 for pigeons, $10 for Chukars and $15 for ducks.

Demonstrations will be given on drills & techniques that handlers can work on with their own dogs on their own time in between group meetings.  Handlers MUST be committed to working with their dog on their own in between group meetings.  We will NOT train your dog for you.

Ideal candidates will be dogs over 18 months of age or dogs past their NA test.   It is important that dogs have had a good amount of hunting and exposure to wild birds before entering this program.

Areas covered will be:

  • Heeling
  • WHOA training
  • Retrieve training concepts using primarily  “Hold & Carry” drills/exercises.  (this is NOT a complete trained retrieve or force fetch program, but you will learn concepts to build the foundation for those.)
  • UPT & UT test concepts and AIMS Rules for those looking to test.

Want to find out more or if this class is suited for you and your dog?  Fill out this form and the class instructor will follow up with you to answer any questions and complete your registration.

Questions?   email pete.aplikowski@mnnavhda.org