I'm getting my first dog in a little over a month, a small munsterlander, and I'm wondering who people recommend for gun & bird introduction as well as an intermediate program, price will be a deciding factor. I live in the metro so extra points if it's within an hour, though I'd be willing to drive 3 hours for a good trainer+price combo. Bonus points if the trainer specializes in versatile breeds.
Dog Trainers
- Thread starter Dami0101
- Start date
Dakotazeb
Well-known member
From which breeder did you get your Small Munsterlander?
Here are some options close to the Twin Cities. I know nothing about these trainers, just providing names from another source.
Fly N Hy Kennels
Inver Grove Heights, MN
http://www.fly-n-hy.com/
Wind Walker Kennels
Goodhue, MN
http://www.windwalkerkennel.com/
West Country Kennels
Glencoe, MN
http://www.westcountrykennels.com/
I would also check with Snowy Oaks Large Munsterlanders in Prior Lake.
http://www.snowyoaks.com/index.html
Here are some options close to the Twin Cities. I know nothing about these trainers, just providing names from another source.
Fly N Hy Kennels
Inver Grove Heights, MN
http://www.fly-n-hy.com/
Wind Walker Kennels
Goodhue, MN
http://www.windwalkerkennel.com/
West Country Kennels
Glencoe, MN
http://www.westcountrykennels.com/
I would also check with Snowy Oaks Large Munsterlanders in Prior Lake.
http://www.snowyoaks.com/index.html
goldenboy
Well-known member
One of the best in the Twin Cities for young dogs is Tim Springer. Dynamic Retrievers is the name of his business. He trains year around and trains many different dogs. My pup just finished her work with him. They ran her through her JH title at 1 year old. Tim and Lauren are super friendly people, very knowledgeable about dogs and their behavior and are great at teaching me how to handle and keep up the training on my dog. Plus they are one of the cheapest out there. Their fees are very reasonable compared to other trainers.
mnbirdchaser
Member
Dale Meier at Pine Creek Kennels in Foley or Berg Brothers setters are just a little northwest of the metro. I'd recommend both.
The best trainer in Minnesota for pointing breeds, hands down, is Chad at Willow Creek. He trained my dog over 3 months a couple of years ago and did a fantastic job. I know others who have brought their dogs there as well and everyone raves about the work Chad and his guys do.
http://www.willowcreekkennels.net/
http://www.willowcreekkennels.net/
Agreed!!! My oldest dog has been trained with him, and my youngest was trained by one of Chad's guys...Charlie. They do a great job
JeremyS
New member
I would strongly 2nd Clyde Vetter at Sharp Shooter's Kennel. Another exceptional trainer is Jason Goslinga at Pro Shot Gun Dogs in New Albin, IA. Make sure you are using someone that specializes in pointing dogs. Even better with a Munster, would be someone with versatile dog experience. Clyde and Jason both fit that bill perfectly.
Thanks for all the info, I'll make sure to look into all of them. Obviously for an intermediate program I'd want someone who has worked with versatile dogs before, but do you think it's just as important to find someone who has worked with versatile dogs for gun and bird intro? As I mentioned this will be our first dog and while I know gun and bird intro is important, I’m not sure how big of a role hunting style plays into it.
Have used West Country Kennels for the past three dogs - he trained with Tom Doken and has been a trainer for the past 20? years. They are located just west of the City near Glencoe - 45 minutes away.
West Country is located on the Major Ave hunt club property. After receiving training you can run your dog at Major for additional handling and field work...free. At least it was free 6 years ago.
Good luck! PM me if you need additional information.
West Country is located on the Major Ave hunt club property. After receiving training you can run your dog at Major for additional handling and field work...free. At least it was free 6 years ago.
Good luck! PM me if you need additional information.
Liver Roan Brits
New member
I'll cast another vote for Willow Creek. They are very well regarded for versatile dogs. Also, there are several area trainers that take client dogs to the Dakotas in the summer to work them on wild birds, including:
Backwoods Bird Dogs
http://www.backwoodsbirddogs.com/
Fox Run Kennels
http://foxrunkennel.net/
Holden Kennels
http://holdenkennels.com/bird-dog-training/summer-training-camp
Wild bird training is really critical to getting your dog to learn not to crowd birds, and helps decrease the chance the dog will catch a bird (a potential problem with pen-reared birds).
Backwoods Bird Dogs
http://www.backwoodsbirddogs.com/
Fox Run Kennels
http://foxrunkennel.net/
Holden Kennels
http://holdenkennels.com/bird-dog-training/summer-training-camp
Wild bird training is really critical to getting your dog to learn not to crowd birds, and helps decrease the chance the dog will catch a bird (a potential problem with pen-reared birds).