Here we introduce all aspects of waterfowl and home life to the dog. This is where the dog starts to build confidence in running the blind retrieve (making a retrieve the dog did not see fall by guidance with hand signals and whistle commands from handler), trust in taking signals from the handler, physical strength and emotional maturity to thrive in all of life’s adventures. This is also where we create the “Automatic Retriever”. A retriever that knows its job so well that it can perform with little to no verbal commands.

Sit, Here, Heel, Multiple Place Casting, Introduction to Delivery To Hand and Stand, Focus Conditioned to 50 yards, Whistle Stop, E-Collar Conditioning, Continuation of 4-position Hand Signals In Movement, Stop To Bump, Doubles, Pre-Grid Work, Choose The Retrieve In The Order Of Handler, Place, Hide, Kennel, Honoring Another Working Dog, Skywatching and Lots of Live Birds. Introduction to “True Steadiness”

Once a dog has completed Stage 1, it’s ready to immediately jump into Stage 2.

Stage 2