TAILORED FOR THE BOYKIN SPANIEL

Our training program was developed specifically for the Boykin Spaniel. We believe Boykin Spaniels need to be trained like Boykin Spaniels and not like other breeds. With that statement, we also believe not every dog fits in the same box so we carefully read each daily and make our training schedules based on the individual dog. With the Boykin Spaniel breed, we believe in being very thorough and not skipping steps or rushing. We believe in muscle memory and that it takes that and repetition to get it right. At Tomahawk Kennels our goal is to get the most out of your pup and make it all it can be. Our training season runs from March through October and we break it down into three categories: Basic Foundation, Transition, and Advanced. 

Basic Foundation

We like to start our basic foundation program with pups that are six to twelve months old. The reason for this is so they have all of their adult teeth as well as mentally and physically mature enough to handle the training. 

Before you bring your pup we will need the following:

  • Full shot record
  • Eight months worth of heartworm and flea/ticket medication.
 

When you show up we will watch you and your pup work together and evaluate where your pup is and its prey drive. We want to see a put that retrieves or at a minimum chases after the tool and shows drive. The basic program starts with a week of socialization. We walk on leads, eat treats, intro to place stands, water, utv, acclimated with our surroundings, and comfortable. 

Then we start formal obedience on lead. We teach the following commands: sit, here, heel and place. From there we will collar condition to these commands. During this time we are throwing retrieves. When the pup is ready we start our pressure training and teach them command fetch. When that is complete we put it all together. When this is finished your pup should be obedient retrieving on land and water. Whether your want an obedient family pet, adventure dog, or basic gun dog when the basic foundation is complete you will have all of these things.

With the Boykin Spaniel breed, we believe in being very thorough and not skipping steps or rushing. We believe in muscle memory and that it takes that and repetition to get it right. At Tomahawk Kennels our goal is to get the most out of your pup and make it all it can be.

INTERMEDIATE & Advanced Training

This is where you go from a basic hunting dog to a more advanced hunting companion and possibly start a competitive career. Not every pup is capable of working at these levels. If you are interested in more advanced training for your retriever please reach out for us to evaluate your pup and discuss the details of this part of our program.