Sarahsetter Kennels

Sarahsetter Kennels offers dog training and a specialized Sarahsetter’s Progressive Early Natural Development (S.P.E.N.D.) program for puppies. The S.P.E.N.D. program is an intensive, research-based approach focusing on early development from prenatal care through 12 weeks of age. It includes daily field exposure for pregnant mothers and Early Neurological Stimulation for newborn puppies.

Puppies in the S.P.E.N.D. program undergo human socialization and extensive clicker training starting at seven weeks. This training covers commands like ‘here’, ‘kennel’, ‘place’ (whoa/sit), and walking on lead. They are exposed to various surfaces, stairs, and water to aid physical development. The program also incorporates a natural diet transition from mother’s milk to fresh game and then kibble, using competitive feeding techniques.

The goal of the S.P.E.N.D. program is to produce highly intelligent bird-dogs that, by 12 weeks, can point quail, back, retrieve, know basic commands, and walk on lead without pulling. Mark Fulmer limits the number of dogs accepted for training to ensure consistent daily progress.

Sarahsetter Kennels, founded by Mark Fulmer in 1991, specializes in dog training and a unique puppy development program. They train dogs without punishment, using behavioral methods like positive and negative reinforcement. Mark has pioneered advanced training methods, including the use of Tri-tronics training collars as teaching tools.

Sarahsetter Kennels was the first and only pointing dog kennel to train for the public with a clicker for over twenty years, incorporating clicker training principles since 1985. This powerful positive reinforcement method is used with all puppies, some obedience dogs, and for rehabilitating abused dogs.

Their unparalleled Sarahsetter’s Progressive Early Natural Development (S.P.E.N.D.) program for puppies is based on recent research in early development. The program aims to breed highly intelligent bird-dogs through intensive management of the mother and puppies, focusing on environmental and nutritional influencers. All Sarahsetter puppies at 12 weeks old point quail in the field, back, and most retrieve, knowing their names and commands like ‘here’, ‘kennel’, and ‘place’ (whoa or sit), and walking on lead without pulling.

The S.P.E.N.D. program includes crucial prenatal care, keeping the mother active to influence unborn puppies. During the neonatal period (birth to 14 days), they use the Early Neurological Stimulation (bio-sensor) program to help puppies handle stress better throughout their lives. The Awareness and Canine Socialization Period (3 to 7 weeks) focuses on puppies learning play patterns and limits, emphasizing that puppies should not be removed from the litter before seven weeks.

The human socialization period (7 to 12 weeks) is managed by the breeder or trainer to develop a human-canine relationship. Clicker training, starting at seven weeks, is used to influence intelligence and aid brain development, teaching commands like ‘here’, ‘kennel’, ‘place’ (whoa/sit), and walking on lead. Puppies are also exposed to different surfaces, stairs, and a shallow pool to aid physical development and water affinity.

They do not provide supplement food to nursing puppies unless complications arise, and expose puppies to fresh game like quail after mother’s milk for imprinting. Competitive feeding by scattering kibble is used to foster competitiveness without aggression. Mark limits the number of dogs accepted for training to ensure consistent daily progress. Sarahsetter Kennels also offers puppies for sale.

Accomplishments

Mark Fulmer has trained dogs professionally since 1991. He campaigned pointing dogs in hunting dog field trials from 1978 to 1990. He founded Sarahsetter Kennels in 1991. Mark has owned Boykin Spaniels since 1974 and got his first bird dog in 1975. He pioneered advanced training methods with Tri-tronics training collars and incorporated clicker training principles since 1985. Sarahsetter Kennels was the first and only pointing dog kennel to train for the public with a clicker for over twenty years.

How to Get Started!

Clients can contact Sarahsetter Kennels via telephone, email, or by filling out a message form on their website.