Would You Like to Host a Positive Gun Dog Training Workshop?
Here is what you need to know …
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What topics would you like to learn about?
The Positive Gun Dog Association offers several pre-packaged workshop blocks for your to choose from. If you do not see exactly what you want, we can modify existing options to fit your training needs in the following ways:
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By default, all blocks contain information pertinent to flushers, retrievers and pointers. However, the blocks can easily be customized to predominantly include information on the hunting breed or hunting style of your choice.
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Block times can occasionally be condensed or expanded to help fit the training topics you desire into the allotted workshop time.
- It is possible to combine some blocks to some degree in order to create a curriculum that fits the needs of your audience.
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Here are some pre-packaged topic options you may find useful:
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Block 1: Applying the basic principles of positive reinforcement to gun dog training (2 hours)
This block is ideal for an audience with little or no experience with positive reinforcement training in general. It explains the methods and benefits of applying rewards-based training to gun dog skills, and it offers suggestions for applying the training to a core selection gun dog skills. This block is lecture only – no working slots. Training routines in this block are explained verbally and supplemented with PowerPoint presentations or videos. Plenty of question-and-answer time is provided in this block.
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Block 2: Applying the advanced principles of positive reinforcement to gun dog training (2 hours)
This block is ideal for those who have attended Block 1 or those who already have a reasonable understanding of positive reinforcement training in general. It covers the Premack principle and other tactics for building reliable gun dog behaviors. Attention is given to building reliability in high-drive dogs and in high-distraction environments. This block is lecture only – no working slots. Training routines in this block are explained verbally and supplemented with PowerPoint presentations or videos. Plenty of question-and-answer time is provided in this block.
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Block 3: Training basic field skills with positive methods (4 hours)
This block is ideal for those who have attended Block 1 or those who already have a basic understanding of positive reinforcement training. It contains a brief overview of basic obedience and recall and then moves to field skills such as steadiness, quartering, whoa and casting. Special emphasis is put on properly sequencing the training of field skills, which is significantly different than when using traditional training methods. Training routines in this block are explained verbally and supplemented with PowerPoint presentations or videos. If there are working slots in the group, approximately 1-2 hours of the block will be spent doing hands-on work with the dogs. Plenty of question-and-answer time is provided in this block.
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Block 4: Training advanced field skills with positive methods (4-6 hours)
This block is ideal for those who have attended Block 1 or Block 2 or those with a mid-level or advanced understanding of positive reinforcement training in general. It applies positive reinforcement training to some of the more advanced gun dog skills, such as remaining steady on point and steadiness to wing, shot and fall. We also cover honoring and backing. Training routines in this block are explained verbally and supplemented with PowerPoint presentations or videos. If there are no working slots, this is a 4-hour workshop with plenty of time for questions. If working slots are allowed, it is an 6-hour workshop with approximately 2-3 hours of field time. If working slots are allowed, the host will be responsible for providing a supply of quail, chuckars or pheasant, a bird launcher, various bird-handling supplies, and a field suitable for conducting training with live birds. For safety reasons, a blank gun will be substituted for live firearms during training, and all attendees will be required to wear safety equipment and follow safety protocols.
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Block 5: The Positive Trained Retrieve (2 hours)
This block is ideal for those who have attended Block 1 or those who already have a reasonable understanding of positive reinforcement training in general. It debunks the myths surrounding the traditional practice of forced fetching and offers some positive alternatives to training a professional-grade retrieve without the use of force. It also includes strategies for building retrieving drive and rehabilitating dogs whose retrieving desire has suffered due to forced fetching. This block also discusses training sequences to move a dog from basic retrieves to complex ones. Due to the length of time necessary to teach a dog to retrieve properly, it is not practical to have working dogs in this block. Training routines in this block are explained verbally and supplemented with PowerPoint presentations or videos. Plenty of question-and-answer time is provided in this block.
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Block 6: Troubleshooting Gun Dog Problems (3-4 hours)
This block is ideal for those who have attended Block 1 and/or Block 2. It discusses positive remedies for a number of behavior problems specific to gun dogs, such as hard-mouth, creeping on point, stealing point, gun shyness, chasing vermin, bank-running and more. Plenty of question-and-answer time is provided to discuss problems attendees are facing with their own dogs. This block is lecture only – no working slots.
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Certification Training Course (3 days)
This workshop is ideal for anyone wanting to become a certified positive gun dog trainer through the PGDA. Working slots are highly encouraged on the third day of this workshop for those wishing to gain hands on experience working with gun dogs using positive reinforcement techniques. This workshop culminates in the opportunity to test for the PGDT-KP (Positive Gun Dog Trainer – Knowledge Proven) certification. To learn more about PGDA certification levels, see http://www.positivegundogassociation.com/education/certification-levels/
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How many days will the workshop last?
To determine how long your workshop will last, add the hours listed for the blocks you wish to host and divide by eight (as training will last 7-9 hours per day, with occasional small breaks, a one hour lunch break, and a little time allotted at the end of the day to address any remaining questions). Training time for individual blocks may be reduced or extended slightly to ensure all of your chosen material is covered during the workshop.
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What are the facility requirements?
The facility for hosting the seminar must be large enough to comfortably seat the all attendees. It can be a local training facility, a lecture venue, or any other place has sufficient space and an atmosphere conducive to learning.
If the host decides to include working slots:
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An area will be necessary for crating dogs while they are not being worked with. The crating area should be far enough away from the lecture area that vocal dogs do not provide too much distraction.
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(For Block 3 and the Certification Training Course) An indoor or outdoor training area sufficient for working with dogs must be provided.
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(For Block 4 and possibly the Certification Training Course) An outdoor training area sufficient for working with dogs, birds and blank guns must be provided.
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What does the host have to provide?
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Lecture Facility
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Indoor/Outdoor area for working slots if they are required (see guidelines above)
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Overhead Projector (These can be rented locally. Our staff can help you locate one in your area if you need assistance.)
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Whiteboard and Markers
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Round Trip Airfare for the Speaker
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Room, Board and *Ground Transportation for Speaker (A safe, clean hotel room is required for the duration of the speaker’s stay; the speaker will not be required to stay at home of host or other attendees. ** A daily per diem of $45/day (fifteen dollars per meal) will be paid to provide for the speaker’s meals.
* Speaker will be provided transportation to and from the airport, workshop, and meals. If host wishes to provide these personally, that is fine. If not, rental car expenses will be included in workshop pricing.
** Any meals provided by the host can be deducted from the daily Per Diem. Hotel breakfasts (if free of charge) can be deducted from daily Per Diem.
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Does the PGDA provide a demo dog?
If there are working slots, there is usually no need for the PGDA to provide a demo dog. If the host decides not to offer working slots – but would still like the PGDA to provide a demo dog – the host must pay for the dog’s airfare to the workshop and kenneling expenses (or any hotel fees that apply to the dog staying with the speaker in the hotel).
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Can workshop attendees bring their dogs?
Attendees can only bring dogs to the workshop if a) the host has opted to include working slots; b) the attendee has paid for a working slot; or c) if the dog is a well-behaved service dog approved by the host.
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How much does it cost the host?
In addition to airfare, room, *ground transportation (see notes above), **Per Diem (see notes above), and any demo dog expenses, the following prices apply to all workshops within the U.S. and Canada:
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One-Day Workshops: $900
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Two-Day Workshops: $800/day (for a total of $1600).
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Three-Day Certification Course: $700/day (for a total of $2100). * This includes the price of taking the PGDT-KP certification exam.
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How much do attendees have to pay?
Attendee workshop prices are up to the host to determine. Because of different pricing expectations in various regions, we are unable to suggest a solid price, but some good rules of thumb for determining prices are:
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Average attendee price = (Speaker’s airfare, room, transportation, Per Diem, facility fees) / Anticipated number of attendees.
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Working slots should cost more than audit (non-working) slots.
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Anything above and beyond the aforementioned workshop costs are profit for the host.
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Who will the speaker be?
The speaker will be a PGDA approved positive gun dog trainer. At this time, it is not feasible for the host to choose a speaker due to the very small number of positive gun dog trainers available. As our numbers rise, we hope to offer a selection of regional speakers based on their specialties.
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How do we get started?
If you are ready to host a PGDA approved Positive Gun Dog Training Workshop, here are your next steps:
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Decide which of the above training blocks you wish to include in your workshop and determine how many days your workshop will last per the instructions above.
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Decide when you would like to host the workshop.
- Contact the PGDA via email at admin@PositiveGunDogAssociation.com so we can log your workshops location, date and curriculum.
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We then will send you a contract outlining everyone’s responsibilities for the workshop. You will need to sign this and send it back to the PGDA promptly to ensure your workshop date.
- Our staff will reserve airfare, hotel room, and *ground transportation (see note above) for the speaker and invoice you for those items. The invoice must be paid within fifteen days. We reserve and pay for these things well in advance to ensure the lowest possible pricing. Payment for the workshop itself, as well as the speaker’s **Per Diem (see note above) is due in full on the last day of the workshop.
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PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTION YOU MAY HAVE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.