Gundog Training at Old Salem Kennel
Waterfowl & Upland Hunting Dogs
I’ve been training gundogs for well over four decades, and I’ve been doing it professionally for more than thirty years.
That’s how I came up in dogs. It’s where I learned what works, what doesn’t, and what matters when a dog is expected to perform in real hunting situations.
Old Salem Kennel offers a small gundog training program for waterfowl and upland hunting dogs. It’s work I’ve done for a long time and continue to offer, but it’s intentionally limited and never run as a high-volume operation.
This program is built for real hunting dogs — not tests or titles — dogs meant to perform in the field, the woods, and the marsh.
A Small Kennel, by Design
At any given time, the total number of dogs in training at Old Salem Kennel is kept to a small number.
Across all programs — obedience, truffle, and gundog training combined — I generally keep no more than eight dogs in training at one time, and often fewer.
That approach allows me to stay hands-on, consistent, and fair with every dog in my care. I don’t believe in crowding dogs through a program just to move numbers.
Where Gundog Training Fits
Gundog training is offered as a specialty program alongside obedience and truffle work. It is not the primary focus of the kennel, but it is something I’ve been doing for a long time and continue to offer for the right dogs and owners.
Dogs are accepted selectively, based on:
- The dog
- The owner’s goals
- The current training load
This keeps the program honest and the work at a standard I’m willing to put my name on.
Program Overview
- $1,850 per month
- Four to five month commitment
- Billed monthly
- Enrollment by approval only
Training is conducted at Old Salem Kennel in Georgia. I work with clients locally, throughout the Southeast, and from other parts of the country.
What’s Included
The monthly training fee includes:
- Daily professional gundog training
- Super-premium dog food
- A probiotic supplement added to daily feeding
- Training birds appropriate to the dog and stage of training
- Daily care, conditioning, and kennel management
Flea and tick prevention is not included and must be provided by the owner.
Owner Involvement
Training doesn’t stop with the dog.
After the dog has been in training for a couple of weeks and has a foundation in place, owners are expected to come in and be part of the process.
At that stage, I begin working with the owner as well — showing them how to handle the dog, read what they’re seeing, and continue the work once the dog goes home. The goal is for the owner and dog to function as a team, not just to hand a trained dog back and hope for the best.
This same owner-involvement approach is used across my obedience training and truffle dog training programs as well.
Age & Starting Point
Most dogs start gundog training at five months of age or older.
For started pups and young started dogs, five to seven months is often ideal, though each dog is evaluated individually. Older dogs are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Breeds Typically Accepted
The program is suited for:
- Retrievers
- Pointing breeds
- Spaniels
- Versatile gundog breeds
Common examples include:
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Setters
- Pointers
- Spaniels
- European and German versatile breeds
Training Progression
Dogs move through training as individuals, not on a stopwatch.
Foundation/Basic
- Obedience and manners
- Introduction to birds and scent
- Field exposure without unnecessary pressure
- Teaching the dog how to learn
Intermediate
- Steadier bird work
- Improved handling and responsiveness
- Hunting-style scenarios
- Reinforcing discipline without dulling drive
Advanced
- Realistic waterfowl and upland situations
- Control under distraction
- Dependability in imperfect conditions
- Preparing the dog for real days in the field
The goal is simple:
a dog you can trust when it matters.
Training Approach
Gun dog training at Old Salem Kennel draws from a combination of traditional American field methods, along with time-tested British and German hunting dog influences. These approaches emphasize steadiness, cooperation, and natural ability, while respecting each dog’s temperament and purpose in the field.
Rather than following a single system, training is adapted to the dog in front of us, using proven techniques that have stood the test of time across real hunting environments.
I don’t rush dogs, and I don’t overcrowd the kennel.
Clear expectations, consistent handling, fair pressure, and time in the right environments still matter — and they always will.
That’s how I’ve trained dogs for decades, and that hasn’t changed.
Serving Georgia, the Southeast & Nationwide
Most training is done here in Georgia, but I work with clients from:
- Across the Southeast
- Other regions of the United States
Logistics and timing are discussed during consultation.
Related Training Programs at Old Salem Kennel:
Obedience Training | Truffle Dog Training
Getting Started
All gundog training is by approval only.
If you’d like to talk through whether this program is a good fit for your dog and your goals, reach out directly.