Started Training
Started Training is the next step after Puppy Training and is a continuation of the foundations started in the earlier stage. In started training your dog will learn to:
Focus on concentration -- As the puppy stage wears off the dog concentration on the task at hand is greatly increased if worked correctly
On and off lead work -- This will allow further controlled exploration of the working terrain
Searching -- Your dog will be taught what you are searching for, and learn to seek it out of the environment
Tracking -- Based on scent, blood track, and other variables, your dog will gain tracking skills
Extending the point -- Once the game has been searched and tracked the dog will be taught to point the animal out, and not flush it
Proper retrieve -- When the shot has been taken and the animal is down, your dog will be in control of it's excitement and retrieve and deliver the game to you
Started Training is designed to instruct the dog on all necessary skills to pass the HZP test (started test for Drahthaars). A dog would normally take this test between the age of about 1 and 2 years. This training should take about 4 months if the dog has been through our Puppy Training course, and about 5 months if we are starting new with this dog.
Again, though this course is guided to passing the HZP test, the principals will transfer well to any gun dog breed.