Smith Kennels

Smith Kennels offers two primary training programs: a 2-week Field Introduction Class that builds prey drive and field exposure for dogs with no prior bird experience, and a 3-month Basic Formal Training Class that teaches core behaviors including steadiness on point, recall, heeling, honoring, and handling cues using mechanical cues and e-collar transitions. Training progresses through a structured curriculum with daily bird contacts and Challenge Course agility work to build mental resilience. After completing the Basic Class, dogs are considered “green broke” and ready for field use. Annual Tune-Up classes are available for previously trained dogs to refresh skills before hunting season. Seminars for owners are held on weekends and cover one month’s worth of training topics per session.

Pricing Summary

Field Introduction Class: $875 for 2 weeks. Basic Formal Training Class: $1,750 per month for 3 months (total $5,250). Annual Tune-Up: $1,750 per month. Seminars and apprenticeships are offered separately with pricing not specified. All training requires advance registration and owner pickup at end of program.

Policies

Owners must pick up their dogs in person at the end of training to receive transition guidance. Dogs must complete the Field Introduction Class before enrolling in the Basic Formal Training Class. No cancellation or rescheduling policies are explicitly stated.

Smith Kennels is a family-owned bird dog training business founded in 1956, specializing in training pointing breeds such as English Pointers, Brittanys, German Shorthairs, and Labs. Run by Ronnie and Susanna Smith, who together have over 60 years of combined experience, they offer a unique, mindset-based training method called the Smith Method (also known as the Delmar Smith Method or Huntsmith). Their approach focuses on developing Confidence, Composure, and Compliance in dogs through structured, progressive training that works with natural instincts rather than against them. They provide two main training programs: a 2-week Field Introduction Class for dogs with no prior bird exposure, and a 3-month Basic Formal Training Class that teaches core behaviors like steadiness on point, recall, heeling, and honoring. They also offer Annual Tune-Up classes for previously trained dogs, seminars for owners to learn training techniques, apprenticeships, boarding, and sell bird dogs and training equipment. Their 400-acre facility allows dogs to train in diverse environments with multiple bird contacts daily. Owners are required to pick up their dogs after training to receive hands-on transition guidance. They feed Purina Pro Plan to all training dogs and emphasize lifelong partnership between dog and handler.

In addition to training, Smith Kennels offers seminars for owners, sells training products like command leads and checkcords, breeds and sells English Pointer puppies, and provides boarding services. Their programs are designed for serious bird dog owners seeking field-ready, well-mannered hunting companions.

They do not offer in-home, day training, or video-based services. All training occurs at their facility in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

Accomplishments

Smith Kennels has been training bird dogs since 1956, with over 70 years of family tradition. Ronnie Smith has over 40 years of training experience and Susanna Smith over 20 years. They have trained hundreds of bird dogs, including multiple AKC field trial competitors. Their Smith Method is recognized and respected across the bird dog community.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must first determine if their dog meets prerequisites: dogs without prior bird exposure must enroll in the Field Introduction Class before the Basic Formal Training Class. Registration is done online via their training registration page. Seminars and other services also require advance sign-up.