Obedience Training
Teaching basic to advanced behaviorsRetriever Training
For all sporting breedsBoarding
From short to longtermLabrador Puppies
Breeding AKC/UKC Chocolate Labs
About Us
Feather Chase Water Dogs is a full time retriever training program owned and operated by Ken Ferguson. Our program is dedicated to offering training services for all sporting breeds and their handlers. We cater to waterfowl hunters, provide training for hunt test, teach obedience to most breeds and offer short or long term boarding.
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Our ContractObedience Training
Our obedience training is a structured board and train program for teaching basic to advanced behavioral commands. This is done in various environments to socialize the dog properly and ensure compliance. Through praise, food, reward, or play we use positive reinforcement to teach dogs the fundamentals. Utilizing positive training techniques, our program allows you to develop control over your dog while strengthening the bond. Establishing you as the leader, while making you both a TEAM!
Basic Obedience
The 4 week basic obedience program teaches the following commands ON lead:- Sit
- Down
- Stand
- Recall by name on lead
- Heeling one side
- The “Leave It” Command
- The “Off” Command
Advanced Obedience
The 8 week advanced obedience program teaches the following commands OFF lead:- Sit
- Down
- Stand
- Recall off lead
- The "Ok" Release Command
- The “Leave It” Command
- The “Off” Command
- Distraction Resistance Exercises
Water Dog Training
Waterfowl hunters know how much a great waterfowl dog is worth to them. Drive, style, and intelligence are important traits in great water dogs. Our programs are centered around this same philosophy. We focus on the individual needs of each dog. The ability to “read” a dog is very critical to achieving this goal. We pay close attention to each dog and individualize methods to match the natural and learned ability of each dog. This is what builds a great TEAM at home and in the field!
Lil' Water Dog Program
A waterfowl dog must be raised a little differently than most pets. From an early age, it is important to get them out meeting people and other animals. As well as learning how to interact and react to various environments, sounds, and smells. Not to mention exposing them to the great and the wonderful outdoors! All phases of this program are positive and fun, focusing only on the drive and natural desire of each individual puppy. This one month program is designed for young dogs as early as four months old. This is a must in getting your water pup off to a good start and covers the following:
- Socialization with humans
- Socialization with dogs
- Introduction to guns, birds and water
- Introduction to boats, blinds and ATV/UTVs
- Hunting environmental exposure
- Household and kennel manners
- Basic retrieving development
- Basic recall work
Beginning Water Dog Program
The structure and goal of this program is to get your water dog prepared for their first hunting season. In order to make it a successful hunt for both you and your dog many things must happen prior to that day. Our program builds confidence in your dog’s ability to perform, teaches them how to work as a team, and provides a balance of work and play. This will give you control of your canine companion both at home and in the field. This is a 4-5 month program depending on dog’s ability and covers the following:
- Obedience
- Steady to gun shot
- Delivery of fallen bird to hand
- Single marked retrieves on land and water
- Introduction to decoys, duck calls, gun fire, dead & live birds
- Exposure to simulated hunting scenarios
- Learn to navigate through water obstacles and land terrain change
Advanced Water Dog Program
With a successful waterfowl season under your belt, it's time to move your dog beyond the started retrieve. This next level of training will allow your hunting partner to pick up multiple downed birds and navigate blind retrieves in the field. This program also includes extensive water work and requires a minimum of an additional four months of training. In more detail this program covers the following:
- Double marked retrieves on land and water
- Memory exercises
- Sitting on a whistle
- Handling/Casting drills
- Cold blind retrieves on land and water
Expert Water Dog Program
This program is reserved for the top Water Dogs of retrievers. Most dogs have hunted several years, retrieved hundreds of birds, and have proven themselves to be a reliable hunting partner in the field. Experience and consistency are the key components to your dog becoming an expert in retrieving. It is with this training dogs fine tune their marking ability and develop precise handling capabilities. This requires a minimum of five months training. The program will cover the following:
- Triple marked retrieves on land and water
- Poison birds
- Precise handling capability
- Honor Working Dogs
Contact Us
At Feather Chase Water Dogs, we take our customer service seriously and would be pleased to answer any questions you have about our services and process.
Texarkana, AR