Building Reliable Hunting Partners
The Wild Covey Way
The training program is built around one simple belief: let the dog’s genetics do the talking.These dogs were bred for the field, and the best way to develop them is by putting them into real hunting situations. We focus on exposure—birds, birds, and more birds—so each dog can discover its instincts naturally and gain confidence through honest work in the country they were made for.
There is no substitute for real birds and real conditions. We don’t rush the process or force results before a dog is ready. Instead, we give them the time, repetition, and guidance they need to grow into dependable hunting partners. It’s a beautiful thing to watch these dogs do what they were bred to do, and our job is simply to bring that out—on their time, the right way, and with a foundation that will last a lifetime in the field.
Bird Dog Intro
This is the foundation of every gun dog we train. This stage is all about building confidence and letting natural instinct come to the surface through steady exposure to birds. We typically begin with homing pigeons, giving young dogs frequent, positive bird contacts that encourage drive, focus, and the beginnings of steadiness in the field.
As the dog grows more confident, we gradually add structure—teaching them how to handle birds properly while keeping their enthusiasm high. Once they are comfortable and showing strong, natural drive, we carefully and slowly introduce the gun in a controlled, positive environment. The goal is a confident young dog that loves birds, understands the basics, and is ready to move forward in its training.
Finished Dog PrograM
This program builds off of the foundation already in place, adding the polish and reliability expected of a complete hunting companion. At this stage, we focus heavily on the retrieve through structured force-fetch work, ensuring the dog delivers birds confidently and consistently to hand. Dogs are also taught to work with and honor other pointing dogs, developing the manners and cooperation needed for real hunting situations.
From there, we tailor the final steps to the owner’s goals, whether that means steadiness appropriate for a flushing dog, steady through the shot, or steady to the fall. The result is a dependable, well-mannered gun dog that performs with confidence and control in the field.
Wild Bird Camp
This is where training meets the real world. Depending on the season and the year, dogs travel with us to hunt wild birds in places like Montana, Oregon, California, and Arizona. These trips put dogs into true hunting scenarios—big country, strong-flying birds, changing terrain, and the kind of conditions that can’t be recreated in a training field.
This experience is something every well-rounded bird dog needs. Wild birds teach lessons no pen-raised bird ever could, sharpening instincts, building endurance, and developing real confidence in the field. It’s the real deal, and it’s where good dogs grow into true hunting partners.