Training Services
Dutchess of Pleasant Hill photo by Judith Strohm
High Prairie Farms Flushing Spaniels, LLC strives for perfection in the field training of Field English Springer and Field English Cocker Spaniels. I have over thirty years of experience in supplying the discerning upland bird hunters of North America with training services for their “Gentleman’s Companion.” In addition, I exhibit my training expertise with the “Competitive Edge” on the AKC Open Springer field trial circuit.To date, I have seven Open Field Champions, including the 2001 U.S. Open High Point field trial dog, FC Denalisunflo’s Drive (Teaser).Teaser was the 1999 Rocky Mountain High Point Open dog and the 2002 Mid-West High Point Open dog. Since that time, I have had multiple field trial wins and placements.
Oreo and Zoe
I have trained and supplied all levels of dogs to hunting clubs and shooting preserves in the United States.
FC Nel’s Jigsaw’s Viper
Since 1989, I have developed a training system which is based on the development and enhancement of natural talent. In my experience, it has been proven time and again that puppies out of a quality field breeding have the talents bred into them to achieve excellence in the hunting environments. Young puppies around twelve to twenty weeks old should inherently demonstrate the natural traits of quartering and the desire to pick up and retrieve objects. It is my responsibility as a trainer to harness and finesse these traits.
High Prairie Farms Flushing Spaniels, LLC is a full service, year-round training kennel. We are not a boarding facility. We only keep animals that are in training. I limit the number of training dogs to allow adequate time for the proper care and training of each individual dog.
Mountain View’s Flying Dutchman
All of the training at High Prairie Farms is done exclusively by me. I personally control and am responsible for all of the training. I use an approach that consistently produces kind, attentive animals that have the confidence to hunt in any cover. I will not force fetch any spaniel to retrieve. Again, my emphasis and enjoyment is on developing a dog’s natural talents. My training program utilizes vast quantities of live game birds in the training field. Puppies begin on pigeons and progress to chukars and/or pheasants. I believe birds, real hunting cover and shooting live game over dogs produces the best upland companions.
High Prairies Wild E Riley photo by Judith Strohm
With my “Dedication to Excellence” I place significant emphases on the smallest details:proper wind patterns, natural range, steady to flush, shot and whistle. My “real world” upland hunting experience enables me to know that a properly trained spaniel should have the ability to handle blind retrieves. This proper training allows the spaniel to be used as a non-slip retriever for ducks and dove. This combination makes for the truly versatile spaniel!
High Prairie’s Luckothe Irish photo by Judith Strohm
As in any education process, it is better to start developing natural skills at a young age. I prefer to take in students between six months and one year of age. This age is when dogs are most receptive to training.Training can start later, but in some cases it may take longer to remove established bad habits. Then, I still have to develop the desired performance level.
The price for training services is $700 (U.S.) per month plus the cost of birds used for training. A started dog requires approximately three to four months of training to achieve satisfactory results. A dog that is steady to the flush and shot usually requires an additional three to four months of training. Since I limit the number of dogs in training, please book your reservations early.
Perfection and your satisfaction remain our goal!
Timothy A. DeGroff