RBDTC

The Rappahannock Bird Dog Training Club facilitates training days for members and their bird dogs. These sessions focus on developing hunting skills for AKC hunt tests and NAVHDA events, including upland field work and water work.

A typical training day involves members ordering birds in advance, with the running order determined by arrival. Members collaborate, discussing their dogs’ training needs and helping each other with various aspects like starting new puppies on birds, steadying dogs on point or flush, honoring brace mates, and retrieving to hand. The club emphasizes that it is a collaborative learning environment where members train their own dogs, rather than a service that trains dogs for clients.

Rappahannock Bird Dog Training Club (RBDTC) is an organization formed in August 2012 for bird dog enthusiasts, hunters, and hobbyists. Its goal is to develop the hunting skills of members’ dogs and the members’ own skills as trainers. The club is open to any breed of pointing and flushing dog.

Members train their dogs for participation in American Kennel Club (AKC) hunt tests and North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) events, focusing on upland field work and water work on two ponds. The club emphasizes that it does not train dogs for owners; instead, members are expected to come with an open mind and learn from each other.

Training days typically occur every weekend (Saturday & Sunday) from September 1 to April 30. Members order birds (chukar/quail) in advance, and the running order is determined by arrival time. The club fosters a supportive environment where members help each other achieve training objectives, such as starting new puppies on birds, steadying dogs on point or flush, honoring brace mates, and retrieving to hand. They also schedule “Fun Shoots” over game birds.

Accomplishments

The club has had excellent success in training their dogs to achieve titles with both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA).

How to Get Started!

To get started, interested individuals are encouraged to bring a positive and respectful attitude and a love for their dog to join the club. For more information, contact Jim Channon via email at rbdtc@rbdtc.net or by phone at 804 761 6715. The membership year runs from May to May.