Stevenson Gun Dog and Obedience

Stevenson Gun Dog and Obedience offers year-round training for both gun dogs and obedience. All dogs must be 7 months or older, up-to-date on vaccinations, cleared of parasites, and on flea/tick/worm preventative. Owners supply dog food, and dogs must be groomed with trimmed nails. The facility limits capacity to 10 dogs to ensure individualized attention, with dogs trained 7 days a week.

For **Gun Dog Training**, a dog must first complete the Trained Retrieve program. The **Trained Retrieve (8-week program)** costs $2,500.00 ($2,400.00 cash discount) and focuses on foundational skills: complete obedience control, force fetch (turning playful retrieve into obedient retrieve and proper delivery), basic whistle control (recall and quarter), and bird/gun introduction (pheasant, duck, shotgun). This program does not include field training.
Following Trained Retrieve, **Field Training** options are available:
* **Upland Game hunting (4-week program)**: Focuses on creating strong prey drive, desire to hunt in heavy cover, and hunting close (20-30 yards).
* **Waterfowl hunting (8-week program)**: Covers steadiness to gunfire, waterfowl calls, and goose flagging; retrieval skills on land, in water, and through decoys (multiple mark retrieves and lining); and place training in a field blind.
* **Sheds/Antlers (4-week program)**: Works on nose development and shed identification in wooded areas.
Field training programs cost $1,250.00 per 4 weeks ($1,200.00 cash discount).

For **Obedience Training**, two programs are offered:
* **Introduction (4-week program)**: Costs $1,250.00 ($1,200.00 cash discount) and teaches leash control, walking without pulling, sitting, and lying down at the owner’s side, all around distractions. This program does not use prong collars, gentle leaders, harnesses, or treats, but remote training collar introduction is optional.
* **Complete Control (8-week program)**: Costs $2,500.00 ($2,400.00 cash discount) and aims for complete on and off-leash control. Skills taught include sit/stay, heel, come, down, kennel, place, and training with distractions.

Pricing Summary

The total cost depends on the amount of training desired. Training is priced at $1,250.00 per 4 weeks, with a cash discount offered at $1,200.00 per 4 weeks. A $300.00 deposit is required to reserve a training spot, which is applied to the first 4 weeks of training. The remaining balance of $950.00 (or $900.00 with cash discount) is due at drop-off for the first 4 weeks. For additional 4-week periods, $1,250.00 (or $1,200.00 with cash discount) is due at the beginning of each period. There are no additional or hidden fees. Payments accepted include Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Specific programs like the 8-week Trained Retrieve program and the 8-week Complete Control Obedience program cost $2,500.00 (or $2,400.00 with cash discount).

Stevenson Gun Dog and Obedience is a full-time gun dog and obedience training facility led by Jeff Stevenson, who has 37 years of experience. Their goal is to provide excellent service by addressing all of a dog’s training needs and answering owner questions.

The facility is located in Ramsey, Minnesota, and is designed specifically for dog training, with heated and air-conditioned indoor kennels to ensure dog comfort. They limit the number of dogs to 10 at a time, allowing for more individualized training attention, care, and exercise. Dogs are trained seven days a week, including holidays, receiving two training sessions daily along with multiple exercise periods.

The training philosophy is customized for each dog, considering their temperament, attitude, and submissiveness, with the aim of helping every dog reach their full potential in their trained job. They emphasize positive reinforcement and repetition. Owners are encouraged to visit their dogs weekly to monitor progress and work with them.

Dogs must be at least 7 months old, up to date on Rabies, Distemper combo (DHLP-P), and Bordetella shots, cleared of intestinal parasites, and on flea, tick, and worm preventative (owner supplied). Owners must also supply their dog’s food, and dogs must be groomed with trimmed nails before arrival. Dogs with behavioral issues that cause stress for other dogs are not accepted to maintain a stress-free environment. The business is licensed and carries liability insurance.

Accomplishments

Jeff Stevenson has 37 years of experience in training dogs, specializing in Upland Game, Waterfowl, and Advanced Obedience. The business prides itself on positive internet reviews from past clients, its reputation, and success in dog training. Stevenson Gun Dog and Obedience is licensed and carries liability insurance.

How to Get Started!

To begin training, clients must pay a $300.00 deposit to reserve a training spot for their dog. This deposit is applied to the first 4 weeks of training. Owners are encouraged to visit their dog weekly to check on their progress and to work with them. Visits are typically allowed after the first two weeks of training, by appointment only.