Schillings Gun Dogs

Schillings Gun Dogs provides Retriever Programs, Upland Pointer & Flush Dog Programs, and Obedience Training. Retriever programs cover force fetch, marking, honoring, remote sending, hand signals for blind retrieves, and blind search (NAVHDA standards). Performance Retriever training includes hunt test and trial training, with client handling in AKC events.

Obedience training, typically lasting around 2 months, includes on/off lead heel work, place training, socialization, UTV awareness, honoring other dogs, manners (barking, jumping, crossing thresholds), introduction to water, shot conditioning, and live birds. This program incorporates two to three 1-on-1 clinics to educate the handler.

The Upland Pointer & Flushing Gun Dog Program teaches whoa breaking, force fetch, quartering, backing, repositioning, group field search, flushing, sit on the flush, and hand signals for blind retrieves, utilizing live pigeons and quail. Upland pointers are trained to be steady to wing, shot, and fall. Additional services include 1:1 Clinics (1hr to ½ day, covering obedience, recreational, or performance levels), Self-Guided Hunts for program graduates, Tech Pond Access for public retriever training, and Tune-Ups for dogs who have completed their programs.

Pricing Summary

Tech Pond Access is priced at $30 per dog. Self-Guided Hunts incur a charge per bird set plus a field fee. Pick-up and drop-off options are available for an additional fee. A deposit is required for all litter reservations.

Policies

Boarding requires a minimum stay of 2 days, and up-to-date vaccination records must be provided at drop-off. It is recommended to call for boarding reservations at least 2 weeks in advance. Tune-ups require a minimum stay of 2 weeks. For litter reservations, a deposit is required, which is refundable if puppies are sold before a spot becomes available, unless the client opts to remain on the waiting list for the next litter.

Schillings Gun Dogs offers specialized training programs for gun dogs, including Retriever Programs and Upland Pointer & Flush Dog Programs, alongside general Obedience Training. They also provide boarding services for dogs.

Their facilities include extensive training grounds at two locations: Vincent, with 110 acres featuring open fields, grassy pines, and 7.5 acres of tech ponds built in Fall 2023, and Chelsea, with a 47-acre pond, 50 acres of land, and covered outdoor kennels. They focus on training both the dog and the handler through personalized 1:1 clinics.

Additionally, Schillings Gun Dogs sells trained dogs and puppies from upcoming litters. They offer self-guided hunts for program graduates and public access to their tech pond for retriever training. Pick-up and drop-off options are available for an additional fee.

Accomplishments

Schillings Gun Dogs highlights the success of dogs they have trained and bred in various hunt tests. A 14-month-old dog named Quarter, from their personal dog Lilas’ litter, is noted to be between Seasoned and Finished level training, excelling in marking doubles on water and land, and sharp blind work. This dog has NAFC, FC, AFC, GRHRCH, and MH in her bloodline.

Recent hunt tests have shown 100% pass rates, with dogs achieving Started, Seasoned, and Finished titles. Examples include Teague and Knox (from the #sgdlitter_mar litter) earning Started titles, Hank and Gypsy (an English Cocker) achieving Seasoned titles, and Remi gaining his Seasoned Title after a 2-year sabbatical. They also note success with first-time handlers passing hunt tests.

How to Get Started!

To get started with training programs and additional services, clients can contact Jesse Touchstone at 205-612-4518. For boarding and obedience services, Green Touchstone can be reached at 205-612-9146. Online forms are available for general inquiries and litter reservations. One-on-one clinics are offered by appointment only and typically begin with an assessment to determine the dog’s current training level and outline future steps.