Puget Sound Retriever Club's private training grounds consist of approximately 80 acres of field and 50 acres of water. The grounds provide a variety of natural features to foster learning for any level of dog and handler.  The Puget Sound Retriever Club has conducted our open training days as a way for people of all interests and abilities to spend more time with their canine companions and for both handler and dog to become stronger team. Hunting, training and hunt tests provides a fun and non-competitive environment that helps prepare the both members of the team for hunting season. We welcome handlers and dogs of all abilities, and senior club members are always available to help.

2026 Training dates:

Training days start at the Horse Pasture at 10 AM. Dress appropriately, bring your chair, beverages and snacks or lunch.

​Designated Training dates 
PENDING

Members have access to the training grounds for additional training. Team up with other members for training dates to fit your schedules and goals.
So much to learn and so much to share

What should my dog and I know before starting in Field work?
      A basic understanding of obedience is extremely helpful!
Crate training
Heeling or walking on a leash
Recall or come when called (especially when distracted)!
​Skills List - Basic Hunting Retriever
  1. Positive Attitude towards Thick Cover, Water & Birds – most retrievers from hunting stock naturally love to explore thick cover, cannot stay out of the water, and are crazy about chasing birds. Combine this natural ability with basic obedience and field training, and the basic Hunting Retriever becomes an effective conservation tool.
  2. Reasonably Obedient- basic obedience skills are the foundation of the Basic Hunting Retriever; they include: come (here), heel, sit, stay, hold and leave-it. The basic marked retrieve (the dogs sees the bird fall) is simply a series of basic obedience commands:
  • Come over Here beside the duck blind;
  • Heel beside the blind so you are looking over the decoys;
  • Sit and Stay until after the shooting is done;
  • Go get the bird and Hold it until you get back to the blind; and,
  • Deliver the bird to the hunter and Leave-it in their hand.

Here are some helpful links to get you started:
NOTE: Everyone has a different learning style and not all dogs are bred to work or learn the same. Be mindful that your dog is an individual and what may work with one dog, even your own, may not work with another. Please be fair in your training and expectations.

    Mike Lardy
             http://totalretriever.com/about/just-getting-started.html
             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaghLwoDmQI
  Evan Graham
             http://www.evan-graham.net/
              https://www.youtube.com/@evangraham376?app=desktop

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