We believe that with fair and consistent training, every retriever can reach their full potential. Whether you own a pointing Lab, a flushing retriever, or a waterfowl retriever, we can customize our training to suit your dog. No matter what type of hunting you do, your dog should work with you, be confident, and eager to hunt.

We believe that the only long-term way to train a gundog is to train the owner. You are encouraged to visit your dog and learn how to handle them yourself along with how to perform certain training techniques. Before your gundog goes home, Mike will personally spend time with you to teach you the commands, answer any of your questions, and explain the ideas behind his training. We want you to be comfortable handling your dog and even training them yourself, if you wish. You are always encouraged to call us if you ever have any questions.

SkyHigh Retrievers travels to sunny California during the winter months, January - April. This gives your dog the unique opportunity to be worked on water no matter what time of year it is. This is a great program for a young duck dog ready to go into training, or for a competition dog continuing their water work. We limit the number of dogs for the winter trip, so it is best to make reservations. Make sure to give us a call if you're interested in advanced water work for your retriever this winter.

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Pointing Labradors

Pointing Labradors are retrievers first and pointers second. We train a well-rounded pointing Lab by teaching them to mark, quarter, swim, retrieve, and deliver to hand, and balance this with bringing out the dog's natural point. Your dog will learn to use their nose to find birds, to stay within range, and will have their natural point strengthened with live birds. This is typically a 4 - 6 month program. For more information please Contact Us.

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Flushing Retrievers

A great upland retriever must be confident, eager to hunt, and willing to work with the hunter. They must have the knowledge and experience to use their skills and their nose to find birds in thick cover and other challenging terrain. Your dog will learn to use their nose and bust through thick cover in search of game. A good bird dog must be trained on birds. We use a variety of live and dead birds, including pigeons, quail, chukar, ducks, and pheasants. Your dog will also learn to quarter, mark the fall, and deliver to hand. For more information please Contact Us.

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Waterfowl Retrievers

A great waterfowl retriever needs to be a good marker, take straight lines to fallen birds, and be steady and quiet in the blind. Advanced gundogs can be taught to handle to birds they didn't see fall, or "blind" retrieves. Your dog will learn to mark with both bumpers and birds, and to retrieve from the land and water. We teach the dogs many different types of retrieves, including open water and multiple entry retrieves, so that no matter where you hunt your dog will have the confidence to push through obstacles to retrieve a fallen bird. Your dog will learn to use their nose to search for a fallen bird in different types of cover, take a straight line back to you, and deliver to hand. For more information please Contact Us.

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