You’ve built the foundation. Now what?
Your dog has a solid start. Maybe you’ve earned a Junior Hunter title, completed a NAVHDA NA test, or simply have a dog that’s reliably finding and pointing birds. But now you’re thinking about running Senior Hunter, Master Hunter, field trial Gun Dog stakes, or NAVHDA GDT/Utility—and it feels overwhelming.
Which skills should you work on first? How do you teach steadiness, retrieving, and backing without creating confusion? How do you put all the pieces together into a polished bird dog?
The Next Level Bird Dog Program was created to help you bridge that gap.
Starts June 29th. Read more and sign up below. Spots are limited!
Option 1: “Learn” Tier
Best for handlers who want a plan, community and support, but are not yet ready for a formal training program or who plan to work with a trainer in-person/do it themselves.
The Learn Tier includes:
- 4 weekly group coaching calls
- A PDF “roadmap” training plan
- Training theory and progression breakdowns
- Video examples
- Community discussion/support
- Replay access
Option 2: “Train” Tier
Best for handlers actively training toward Senior/Master/GDT/UT/FT Gun Dog level work.
Includes everything in the Learn tier, plus:
- Step-by-step training courses
- Structured homework
- Video review and feedback
- Biweekly individual check-in calls
- Coaching support for 3 months
This tier allows handlers to begin practical training immediately while participating in the weekly education calls.
Program Structure
Week 1 —Retrieving
- Why most dogs benefit from a formal retrieve program
- Different retrieve systems and methods
- Retrieve expectations across SH/MH/GDT/UT/FT Gun Dog levels
- Video examples and troubleshooting
Week 3 — Backing / Honoring
- Natural vs taught backing
- Expectations at different levels of testing/trialing
- Using stop-to-flush to teach backing
- Using a controlled approach to start and then expanding duration and distance
- Use of rewards to encourage backing
Week 2 — Steadiness
- What steadiness means at different testing levels
- Building steadiness step-by-step
- Teaching stop and stand away from birds
- Different methods/tools
- Using shaping and rewards to build a solid foundation
Week 4 — Handling & Test Strategy
- Running successfully in tests/trials
- Handler communication and commands
- Common reasons dogs get picked up
- The importance of proofing before testing
Ongoing Training Phase (Train Tier)
After the initial 4-week education series, Train tier members continue with coaching support while progressing through the following courses:
- Shaping Whoa: This progression teaches your dog to stop and stand still in a low-pressure way with lots of rewards. It gradually builds upon the behavior so your dog is never confused about what you want. If you spend time building this solid foundation, by the time you are ready to add pressure (ecollar), it won’t be stressful for the dog because they will already know what to do.
- Steadiness Around Birds: Once your dog has a solid whoa command away from birds, it’s time to add live birds. This step-by-step method will ensure the dog is able to do the expected task (stand still) in situations that are more and more distracting. We will start with expecting the dog to stand through thrown pigeons, then progress to pointing birds on the ground. We will work on stop to flush, steady to shot, and quail/chukar as the dog advances.
- Shaping the Retrieve: This method teaches your dog to retrieve without a lot of pressure and is an alternative to the traditional “force fetch” method. It starts with teaching the behavior with positive reinforcement and adds enforcement once your dog has a good understanding of what you want.
- Teaching Backing: This method uses the sight of the bird to teach the dog a reliable back. It starts with a solid stop to flush in controlled situations and uses rewards to build the association that backing is a good thing.
After 3 months, members will still have access to all courses – for continued coaching guidance members can sign up for monthly membership
If you have any questions about the training process or why I recommend these methods, please email me.
Cost
Option 1 – Learn tier: $249 one-time
Option 2 – Train tier: $847 one-time ($50 discount) OR $299 each month for 3 months
Add-ons:
- Optional monthly membership with coaching support after program ends: $249/month for all courses, $159/month for one course
- In-person training in North Carolina: $80 per one-hour lesson, $400 for half-day
- Individual coaching call: $80 per one-hour call
More Details
- Capped at 10 participants for the Train tier
- Start date: June 29, 2026
- Weekly calls: July 1, July 8, July 14, July 22 at 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific
- Train tier access: June 29th–September 30th
Registration is now closed. If you are interested in future iterations of this program, send me an email: terryann@accidentalbirddog.com.
Learn Tier
June 29 – July 26th
$249
Train Tier
June 29 – September 30th
$847 OR $299/month for 3 months
About Terry Ann
Terry Ann’s 12-year-old vizsla, Zara, started out as a pet, but is now a Master Hunter, a NAVHDA Versatile Champion, and has multiple AKC field trial placements and wins. When Terry Ann was starting out, she found it really difficult to find good resources, so she is passionate about making the training process easier for others. She hosts the Accidental Bird Dog Podcast, which covers hunting dog events for pointing breeds and is an AKC hunting test judge.
Read more about Terry Ann and her dogs.
