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The chapter can be a resource for general training philosophies and access to birds and grounds, but due to the size of our membership, we cannot give every member the attention they may need at our larger scheduled training clinics or events.

Our scheduled training and exposure days/clinics will focus on general principles that members can build off of and formulate their own  strategies and make connections with other members with similar goals.  Volunteering at our testing and scheduled training events is also a great way to meet other members and get into smaller training groups.

To be on any of our training/testing grounds, you must have an annual pass, or be part of a chapter sponsored training event or  test.

Please send general Training inquiries to:  training@mnnavhda.org

2025 Training Clinics/Events

Interested in our Indoor Winter Training/Exposure Classes?  Fill out this Questionnaire

Small Training Groups

Versatile dog training works best when small groups of like minded people with similar training goals can help each other with their training, and Minnesota NAVHDA  encourages members to form their own small training groups and we will help support with access to birds & equipment.  We have members that meet regularly at several different grounds locations starting as soon as the snow melts in the spring.    Volunteering at our testing and scheduled training events is also a great way to meet other members and get into smaller training groups.

Small group training is NOT published on our Master Calendar.

**If you are a newer member, or are looking for help getting in a small training group, our Director of Training will try to assist.   Send questions to:  training@mnnavhda.org

Our Outdoor Training Locations/Grounds

(more details , directions and maps are here)

Keystone Woods WMA-Hugo, MN

Portion of the former Kelley Farms now under control of the MN DNR

send inquiries to: training@mnnavhda.org

Four Brooks WMA-north of Milaca, MN

send inquiries to:  fourbrooks@mnnavhda.org 

(Only monitored during training season roughly mid-April through early September)

Iron Range Retriever Club-Virginia, MN

send inquiries to:

Wayne Darvell    (651) 238-9694   wkdarvell@hotmail.com

General Information

(for reference during off-season Sept-March)

Over the years, Minnesota NAVHDA has offered a variety of training opportunities for our members.  Depending on availability of Volunteers, grounds and indoor venues, these have typically been things like:

Winter (January-March)

  • Indoor Obedience Classes for members working toward a “finished” gun dog and NAVHDA Utility Tests.
  • Indoor Positive Reinforcement classes for puppies to build a foundation for future advancement.
  • Specialty Weekend Clinics for Advanced Obedience Work (Retrieving/Force Fetch)

Spring/Summer (April-August)

  • NAVHDA official weekend clinics (Aims & Rules, Invitational Clinics)
  • MOCK Natural Ability Tests
  • One Day Weekend Informational Clinics (Versatile Dog 101 & 201).
  • Small, self formed weekly focused training groups.
Chapter Safety  & Training Etiquette Policy