This is a long page with lots of information-keep scrolling down!
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
- **CLASS FULL** MONDAY 10 Week Positive Reinforcement Training-Stillwater, MN on 03/31/2025 7:00 pm
- SATURDAY APRIL 26th TRAINING DAY-KELLEY FARMS AREA B on 04/26/2025 9:00 am
- SATURDAY JUNE 28th TRAINING DAY-FOUR BROOKS on 06/28/2025 9:00 am
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)
Kelley Farms/Keystone Woods WMA-Hugo, MN
send inquiries to: training@mnnavhda.org
MN NAVHDA has reserved exclusive use on MONDAYS and THURSDAYS from April 28th to August 28th, 2025 in a portion of Kelley Farms that has not yet been turned over to Washington County Big Marine Park. PASS required. PASSES WILL GO ON SALE IN MID APRIL
Negotiations with the MN DNR are still ongoing for Keystone Woods (portions of Kelley that are now in MN DNR control.) Stay tuned!
Four Brooks WMA-north of Milaca, MN
send inquiries to: fourbrooks@mnnavhda.org
(Only monitored during training season roughly mid-April through early September)
PURCHASE 2025 FOUR BROOKS GROUNDS PASS HERE
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.