Upland bird dog training for all pointing, flushing, versatile, and retriever breeds

Humane training philosophy

Located in northcentral Kansas in the Blue Hills/Saline River Valley area

Birds, birds, birds

Training programs for pups and dogs 4 months or older

Training program tailored to your pup or dog

Training programs may include- introduction to guns/birds, here, heel, whoa, handling, quartering, dead bird finding, e-collar conditioning, retrieving, holding point, steady to flush/wing/shot, honoring, conditioning

Trainer qualifications- patience, persistence, strong work ethic, honest, earned 6 bird dog championships / Runner-up Region Championship / Runner-up Region Hi Point, coined the term "Fusion Training," ability to adapt training methods to different types of dogs, strong understanding of psychological principles related to learning, 30 years of hunting experience

For an additional charge pickup/delivery by air in Wichita and Kansas City, by ground in Salina($30), Wichita($120), Kansas City($200), Topeka($140), and Hays($90)

Training/Boarding - $500 per month(includes birds), pro-rated by the day

Boarding only - $10 per day 

Customer references-

I sent a two-year-old female English setter to Jim Gourley of www.setterdogs.com in April 2007, when I sent her she was bird shy and didn’t display much prey drive.  With her “soft” disposition, I knew these issues would be hard to overcome.  I was considering placing her in a pet only home and not putting any more time into her training.  However, my family has become very emotionally attached to the dog and her physical attributes (range and style) made me think she was worth trying to see if I could have a professional trainer work with her to bring her around.  I have trained and hunted with Jim for 5 years and knew if anyone had a shot to turn her around it was him, he seems to have the “touch” with problem dogs and can get into their brain and bring out the best if it is in there at all.  At first, Jim gave me frequent updates on her progress (we had agreed that if she did not start to come around on her birds I would take her home and place her in a pet home).  He did not seem very confident at first as she was continuing to blink birds and show minimal to no interest in game birds.  After the two weeks he called with good news, she was flash pointing, bumping, and chasing; major progress for this particular dog.  We agreed to proceed with more training.  Within the next week, Jim had her holding her points to the flush and then would allow her to chase the bird, until she actually started chasing and retrieving them to hand, this was encouraged to allow her to gain confidence for one more week.  At this time, we agreed to proceed to more advanced training (e.g. whoa work, and steadying on birds) as I want to develop her for walking shooting dog field trials and needed to know if she would progress.  I picked up the dog from Jim after 1.5 months of training, after delivering him a bird shy, immature two-year-old “puppy."  I got a dog back that will now point, back and retrieve to hand and is beginning to become steady through the flush and shot, knowing this dog before and after I would consider this transformation a miracle and anyone else that knows the dog considers it the same.  Jim gave me detailed directions on how to progress in her training from that point when I picked her up and I look forward to her continued progress and development. I would highly recommend Jim Gourley for any of your training needs. Thanks, Greg - Hoyt, KS

 

Hey Jim,                                                                                                                                          Just wanted to let you know how pleased and excited I am about Dot. Last night we went out in some pretty dreary and wet conditions and she found and held on one hen pheasant, two coveys of quail and several singles out of each covey. I never once had to use the collar and she came back very quickly after the chase. After that first bird she was all business. Thanks for doing such a great job. I BELIEVE!!  Steve - Topeka, KS