Business Details
Big Sky Kennels hunting dog training is a skilled, award-winning training group for started gun dogs and bird dogs in Minnesota and North Dakota. With over 30 years of started gun dog training experience, we are passionate about hunting dog training at every stage. We are happy to chat with you anytime! Master Trainer, John Staley, has been producing premier started gun dogs since 1989.
He has been recognized for hunting dog training in the media and won many awards for his stellar results in trained hunting bird dogs. Big Sky Kennels brings out the best in your started gun dog / bird dog's natural hunting instincts. By enhancing those hunting instincts, Big Sky Kennels will fully maximize your gun dog's hunting and obedience abilities.
Our hunting dog training methods involve only positive reinforcement backed by repetition. We believe that a calm, happy dog is better at finding game and forms a closer bond with the handler. We offer hunting dog training on 150 acres of beautiful wetland preserve in the Rye Township.
He has been recognized for hunting dog training in the media and won many awards for his stellar results in trained hunting bird dogs. Big Sky Kennels brings out the best in your started gun dog / bird dog's natural hunting instincts. By enhancing those hunting instincts, Big Sky Kennels will fully maximize your gun dog's hunting and obedience abilities.
Our hunting dog training methods involve only positive reinforcement backed by repetition. We believe that a calm, happy dog is better at finding game and forms a closer bond with the handler. We offer hunting dog training on 150 acres of beautiful wetland preserve in the Rye Township.
Services
About Us
Big Sky Kennels is an award-winning training group for premier hunting dogs / flushing gun dogs with over 30 years of experience.
Whether you are looking for a trainer to mold your pup into a started gun dog hunting companion or you would like to purchase an already trained hunting dog, Big Sky Kennels is here to help.
Our success can be measured by the number of repeat customers that come back to Big Sky Kennels for more trained hunting dogs over the years.
Located in ten miles outside of Grand Forks, North Dakota, in the Rye township, Big Sky Kennels operates a private gun dog training ranch with various natural upland cover terrains and many water hole locations, ideal for dog training.
Whether you are looking for a trainer to mold your pup into a started gun dog hunting companion or you would like to purchase an already trained hunting dog, Big Sky Kennels is here to help.
Our success can be measured by the number of repeat customers that come back to Big Sky Kennels for more trained hunting dogs over the years.
Located in ten miles outside of Grand Forks, North Dakota, in the Rye township, Big Sky Kennels operates a private gun dog training ranch with various natural upland cover terrains and many water hole locations, ideal for dog training.
Training Ranch
Located in 10 miles outside of Grand Forks, in the Rye township, Big Sky Kennels hunting dog training operates a private gun dog training ranch with various natural upland cover terrains and many water hole locations, ideal for dog training.
Equipped with remote activated mechanical throwers, the prairie land ranch is designed for all training sets needed for each training phase.
Our training ranch is 150 acres of natural grasslands and cattail slews, established to attract natural wildlife.
The acreage provides ideal "sets" for the positive training process.
Equipped with remote activated mechanical throwers, the prairie land ranch is designed for all training sets needed for each training phase.
Our training ranch is 150 acres of natural grasslands and cattail slews, established to attract natural wildlife.
The acreage provides ideal "sets" for the positive training process.
Methods / Philosophy
Big Sky Kennels uses positive training methods to form high performing dogs.
The dogs are motivated out of the desire to please while experiencing their own inherent hunting instincts.
We DO NOT use electric collars as a training tool, instead by using creative layouts or "sets" as an influencer, the pup will obey the trainer using the constrictions of the training course and the positive stimulation that follows.
Repetition of the desired action will lead to predicable performance.
One step leads to another until there is a happy well-trained family/hunting dog.
The dogs are motivated out of the desire to please while experiencing their own inherent hunting instincts.
We DO NOT use electric collars as a training tool, instead by using creative layouts or "sets" as an influencer, the pup will obey the trainer using the constrictions of the training course and the positive stimulation that follows.
Repetition of the desired action will lead to predicable performance.
One step leads to another until there is a happy well-trained family/hunting dog.
Performance Expectations
Imagine a dog with strong hunting drive hot on the trail of a running rooster.
All of a sudden he stops, just as he was instructed to do when signaled to wait for the handler to catch up.
Then, once signaled to proceed by the handler, he quickly picks up the trail again.
The flushed bird is downed within gun range and instantly, the trained dog retrieves the bird directly returning it to handler.
Another dog runs out into the field, sent out on a 100-yard blind retrieval mission.
As they drift off course due to a strong cross wind, they are signaled to stop by the handler and signaled to turn into the approximate direction of the fall, where they find the hidden bird using their natural hunting senses.
All of a sudden he stops, just as he was instructed to do when signaled to wait for the handler to catch up.
Then, once signaled to proceed by the handler, he quickly picks up the trail again.
The flushed bird is downed within gun range and instantly, the trained dog retrieves the bird directly returning it to handler.
Another dog runs out into the field, sent out on a 100-yard blind retrieval mission.
As they drift off course due to a strong cross wind, they are signaled to stop by the handler and signaled to turn into the approximate direction of the fall, where they find the hidden bird using their natural hunting senses.
Puppy Conditioning
Pups of 8 weeks will become conditioned to family life within the Puppy Conditioning Phase, lasting roughly 2 months.
Your pup will become socialized to the sounds, confusion and affection of a typical family, as they develop an acceptance and understanding of their role as a family member.
Your pup will learn to walk calmly on a leash, enter and ride in a crate, as well as, the excitement of meeting new people.
The pup will learn to love retrieving canvas dummies to hand in the wilds, as well as, around the home setting.
Your pup will become socialized to the sounds, confusion and affection of a typical family, as they develop an acceptance and understanding of their role as a family member.
Your pup will learn to walk calmly on a leash, enter and ride in a crate, as well as, the excitement of meeting new people.
The pup will learn to love retrieving canvas dummies to hand in the wilds, as well as, around the home setting.
Started Gun Dog Training
Within the Started Gun Dog Phase, your pup will develop the "desire to retrieve" instinct, not only through canvas dummy training, but dead and live birds as well.
During a 8 to 10 week training phase, they will learn to quarter in the field, keeping in close synchronization with the handlers hand signals; respond briskly to the come call; and will learn the skill of returning to the handler upon command.
The dog will learn to perform an upland set (pheasants, grouse, etc, ) and a field waterfowl hunt (ducks/geese coming into decoys placed out in a field).
During a 8 to 10 week training phase, they will learn to quarter in the field, keeping in close synchronization with the handlers hand signals; respond briskly to the come call; and will learn the skill of returning to the handler upon command.
The dog will learn to perform an upland set (pheasants, grouse, etc, ) and a field waterfowl hunt (ducks/geese coming into decoys placed out in a field).
Intermediate GD Training
Once your pup has completed the Started Gun Dog Phase, they begin obedience by yard training.
In the 4 to 6 week Intermediate Gun Dog Training Phase, your dog will learn to "heal" (walk alongside the handler with their nose at the handlers knee).
They will learn to "hup" (sit and stay until commanded to release) upon voice, whistle or hand signals.
When in the hup position, they will come directly to the handler when given the command.
They will also be taught when running in the field, when signaled, they will come, or hit the full hup position.
In the 4 to 6 week Intermediate Gun Dog Training Phase, your dog will learn to "heal" (walk alongside the handler with their nose at the handlers knee).
They will learn to "hup" (sit and stay until commanded to release) upon voice, whistle or hand signals.
When in the hup position, they will come directly to the handler when given the command.
They will also be taught when running in the field, when signaled, they will come, or hit the full hup position.
Finished Gun Dog Training
The 4 to 6 week Finished Gun Dog Training Phase is targeted towards reliable performing started gun dogs of the advanced level.
It will teach your dog to be steady to flush and shot when putting up birds in the upland situation.
Your dog will be taught to retrieve unmarked downed birds in the field or over water and can be lined out to the area of the fall.
If they get off course, they will learn to stop, look at the handler for hand signals, and then in the direction of which they are directed.
It will teach your dog to be steady to flush and shot when putting up birds in the upland situation.
Your dog will be taught to retrieve unmarked downed birds in the field or over water and can be lined out to the area of the fall.
If they get off course, they will learn to stop, look at the handler for hand signals, and then in the direction of which they are directed.
Advanced Finished Gun Dog
In the Advanced Finished Gun Dog Phase, your dog will be completely proficient in all started gun dog hunting techniques and training expectations.
Both Labs and Springers will accurately pin marked bird falls out roughly a hundred yards away.
Your dog will be able to gather multiple falls and round up the downed game when sent, fully steady at heal and will not leave for the marked falls until sent.
Should the handler wish the dog to retrieve the bird furthest out, when directed, your dog will leave their current downed mark and go in the direction of the desired downed bird.
Both Labs and Springers will accurately pin marked bird falls out roughly a hundred yards away.
Your dog will be able to gather multiple falls and round up the downed game when sent, fully steady at heal and will not leave for the marked falls until sent.
Should the handler wish the dog to retrieve the bird furthest out, when directed, your dog will leave their current downed mark and go in the direction of the desired downed bird.
Fees / Guarantees
Dogs purchased at Big Sky Kennels are guaranteed to perform skills consistent with the phase of training they have reached.
The purchaser of each new pup will receive one-on-one handler training at the Big Sky Gun Dog Training Ranch.
If for any reason the pup will not react accordingly within a few months of the handler purchase, Big Sky Kennels will offer additional one-on-one training in the field, free of charge.
Any customer is welcome to come back periodically to refresh their field partnership with the dog at the training ranch through the life of the dog.
The purchaser of each new pup will receive one-on-one handler training at the Big Sky Gun Dog Training Ranch.
If for any reason the pup will not react accordingly within a few months of the handler purchase, Big Sky Kennels will offer additional one-on-one training in the field, free of charge.
Any customer is welcome to come back periodically to refresh their field partnership with the dog at the training ranch through the life of the dog.