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COACHING

Photo by Waylon Lunn

Get Started Training Your Dog for Hunting Events

Are you interested in training your dog to hunt birds and trying to figure out where to start? The good news is, there’s a ton of information out there about training and competing with bird dogs through internet articles, podcasts, books, and videos. The bad news is, that’s a ton of information to sort through! Maybe you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Do you want to try a specific testing or trialing system but feel confused on the rules? You don’t want to spend your weekends reading every detail of the AKC, UKC, or NAVHDA rulebooks. Even if you did, there’s still a lot of gray areas. Wouldn’t it be helpful to learn from someone who has been there and run the tests? Someone who is not going to judge you for asking dumb questions?

Finding a person to help you along the way is key. That’s where I come in. If you’re interested, use the button below to find out more.

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE MEET & GREET

I offer one-on-one virtual coaching sessions for pointing breed dog owners to help you succeed in hunt tests and field trials. I will make the training process easier for you!

I help you work through challenges you are having and troubleshoot problems. I didn’t grow up hunting or have experience with bird dogs before I got my first vizsla, so I understand what it’s like to be new.

My programs are mainly for people who are interested in training their own dogs, or working in conjunction with a local trainer. I won’t be able to train your dog in person, but I can guide you through the process and help set you up for success. I can also help you find a local trainer in your area using my network. After working with me, you will be more prepared, understand the nuances of the various testing/trialing systems, and see improvements in your training.

Read more below about booking a coaching session.

Ready to get started?

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE MEET & GREET

Have questions?

CHECK OUT MY FAQ PAGE

Hi, I’m Terry Ann, and this is my dog that started it all, Zara.

She’s my “accidental bird dog” because originally, I had no intention of training her for hunting or dog sports. That quickly changed once I saw her natural ability come out at age two. She’s now an AKC Master Hunter, a NAVHDA Versatile Champion, and has multiple AKC field trial placements and wins.

It was not an easy road to get there, however. When I was first trying to train her to an advanced level, I struggled to find a place to train and identify good resources. I can help you avoid a lot of that frustration and assist you in taking a straighter path forward with your dog. This blog post explains more about why I started coaching.

How It Works

Step 1

We’ll discuss your goals and what you hope to achieve.

Or maybe you don’t have a concrete goal and need help deciding on the activity that best suits you and your dog. That’s okay too.

Step 2

We’ll identify where you are starting and what might be the best way forward.

We’ll talk about what you have done with your dog and your preferred methods of training.

Step 3

I’ll offer recommendations and resources to help you train. I can provide a schedule or roadmap to keep you on track. I use an app that allows you to message me and send videos between sessions.

Step 4

We can check-in as often as you like to troubleshoot any issues, see what’s working, and discuss your progress. My role is to support you, offer guidance, and provide accountability.

What I Offer

Virtual Meet & Greet

Free

Meet with me for 15 minutes to discuss your background, dog(s), and goals and see if my experience and style are a fit for what you need. We can review the packages I offer and what would be best for you. No commitment required – if you don’t want to proceed after that, it’s totally fine! Feel free to sign up for this even if you’re not sure you want to get into hunt testing or field trialing. I can help you figure out if these sports are for you.

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE MEET & GREET

Beginner Dog Coaching Package

$260 for 4 sessions

This program is intended for pointing dogs who have zero or minimal exposure to birds and hunting. After the meet and greet, we will discuss how to prepare for the AKC Junior Hunter test, the NAVHDA Natural Ability test, or AKC Puppy/Derby field trial stakes (or a combination!). We’ll meet for four sessions, ideally on a weekly or biweekly basis.

We’ll cover the different event types, rules, and requirements, logistics for finding events and signing up, and equipment needed. I will help you find local in-person resources, provide information on proper bird and gun exposure methods, and offer advice on how to become a confident handler.

This package includes:

  • Personalized one-on-one virtual coaching sessions
  • Messaging platform with the ability to share unlimited training videos and messages between sessions
  • Curated resources that pertain to your goals (articles, podcast episodes, videos, blog posts, trainer recommendations, etc.)
  • A supportive environment to ask questions and learn

Intermediate Dog Coaching Package

$260 for 4 sessions

This program is intended for pointing dogs who have completed the beginner levels of testing or have been exposed to birds and gunfire and are ready to move to the next level. After the meet and greet, we’ll talk about how to prepare for AKC Senior/Master Hunter tests, the NAVHDA Utility test or field trial Gun Dog stakes. We’ll meet for four sessions, ideally on a weekly or biweekly basis.

We’ll cover the different event types, rules, and requirements for upper level events. We’ll discuss various comprehensive retrieving methods and decide on a path forward. I’ll also introduce you to different methods of teaching steadiness and offer resources to assist with that. Lastly, we’ll cover other test-specific items such as running with bracemates or training duck search.

This package includes:

  • Personalized one-on-one virtual coaching sessions
  • Messaging platform with the ability to share unlimited training videos and messages between sessions
  • Curated resources that pertain to your goals (articles, podcast episodes, videos, blog posts, trainer recommendations, etc.)
  • A supportive environment to ask questions and learn

Single Coaching Session

$75 per session

After the meet and greet, we will meet for a one-hour virtual coaching conversation. Suggested topics include: figuring out where to start, discussing a specific testing organization, and preparing for an important event.

Custom Coaching Package

Pricing varies

If you’re looking for something other than the Beginner or Intermediate programs, I’ll create a custom package for you. This option is suited toward handlers preparing for advanced testing such as the NAVHDA Invitational, succeeding at the upper levels of field trials, or working through specific training problems.

Testimonials

“

As someone with ADHD it's easy for me to forget things, not follow-up or hyper fixate on small details. Terry Ann helps keep me organized, reminds me about sign-up deadlines, follows up when I go MIA and keeps our coaching calls on track - all things that are extremely valuable traits in a coach.

Additionally her ability to level up or level down information based on where the learner is is unparalleled. I work in the dog training space so there are certain things I understand well, but the nuance to some of the pointing dog training means I need it broken down to the most basic level. She has been able to fluently switch from high level obedience training conversations to very beginner terminology conversations on a dime.

KelseaGerman shorthaired pointer owner
“

I wanted to do hunt training with my Vizsla, and I was having trouble finding resources. I was looking online one day, and found [Terry Ann's] coaching services.

I knew I wanted to try a hunt test, but I thought it would take a long time before my dog Gunner and I could participate. [Terry Ann] helped me realize that we could do a Junior hunt test, without needing a tremendous amount of training. [She] helped with finding professional trainers to work with, so Gunner could get some exposure to birds, as well as giving me exercises on my own to do, such as gun acclimation.

With [Terry Ann's] coaching and encouragement, Gunner achieved his JH title. I look forward to continuing working with [her]!

WilmaVizsla owner
“

I'm super happy with the Natural Ability test results. Terry Ann helped point me in the direction of [a local trainer], which we were able to work with a bird launcher. Now working on the e-collar. We have been able to choose a better collar for Kona with more settings and able to get Kona more comfortable with the e-collar.

Terry Ann is able to make things easy to understand, is attentive, and knows what the client is going through because of going through it herself.

KendallPudelpointer owner
“

I felt I got exactly what I was looking to get out of the sessions and a fun conversation about bird dogs! I certainly feel a lot better about how I will approach my handling for the next time I run in the NAVHDA Utility test and eventually Master Hunter. Receiving personal feedback was very important for me and I have already applied your advice to my handling in training. With clarity, I know my mindset is better when going into training days.

AmandaGerman shorthaired pointer owner
“

It’s super helpful to have more resources to look into in terms of methods used for steadiness work. Following the session she’s made big progress in holding her point on the pallet. It was nice to chat about the use of ecollars and layering that stimulation on top of already known behaviours, not new ones, as I completely agree with that methodology. Also good to understand that some dogs will naturally be more talented in trials but we don’t necessarily need to “give up” on them either!

MaddieVizsla owner
“

I found it so helpful to discuss and troubleshoot details from Kaiser's second hunting season with Terry Ann, along with goals for the coming year. I also found a lot of value in learning ideas to improve off-season training, and ways to enrich and challenge Kaiser through other non-hunting related trick training and disciplines.

NickGerman shorthaired pointer owner
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