Training Courses
At Cuttin Coveys Kennels, our mission is to develop elite, field-ready dogs capable of competing and succeeding at the highest levels of AKC horseback field trials. We focus on producing polished, athletic competitors with the drive, style, and manners demanded in the field. Our training is tailored to each dog’s ability and stake potential, building confident performers who can run, handle, and win. Whether a dog is being brought along for Puppy and Derby stakes or campaigned toward Gun Dog and All-Age titles, we combine proven field methods, purposeful exposure, and structured conditioning to bring out their full potential.
We don’t just train for manners — we build competitors.
Becoming a Bird Dog
$1600
$1200 For CCK Bred Dogs
This 6-week course is designed for puppies or dogs that have not yet had a bird season under their belt. In this course, we work on bringing out your dog’s 100% natural abilities.
-Recall (here)
-Daily bird work
-Collar Conditioning
-Gun Exposure
-Place
-Water work
4-Month AKC Horseback Field Trial Development Program
$1000/ month
$700/ month for CCK Bred Dogs
Pointing Breeds Only
This program is built for owners who want their dogs evaluated, trained, and actively campaigned in AKC horseback pointing breed field trials. The course runs 16 weeks total, split into:
✅ 2 Months – Evaluation & Training
✅ 2 Months – AKC Trial Campaigning
We place each dog in the appropriate stake (Puppy, Derby, Gun Dog, or All-Age) and develop them according to AKC standards for horseback handling.
🔹 PHASE 1 — EVALUATION & TRAINING
Weeks 1–8
➤ Weeks 1–2 — Intake & Assessment
Temperament, range, drive, and biddability evaluation
Note existing training and stake suitability
Intro/review: recall, whoa, handling from horseback
Early bird or gunfire exposure if needed
Owner deliverable: Written evaluation + stake assignment
➤ Weeks 3–4 — Pattern & Birdwork Foundation
Puppy/Derby prospects:
Forward race, quartering, light bird intro, early gun awareness
Gun Dog / All-Age prospects:
Pattern shaping from horseback
Birdwork: point, flush manners, early honoring
Range and responsiveness conditioning
➤ Weeks 5–6 — Steadiness & Conditioning
Hill or roading conditioning 2–3x/week
3–4 field sessions per week
Steady to wing (or wing/shot depending on stake)
Retrieve work if required by breed/trial
Honor drills begin
➤ Weeks 7–8 — Mock Braces & Trial Readiness
Horseback braces with bracemates
Blank pistol at flush
Honoring under pressure
30-minute simulated stakes
Finalize stake entries for competition phase
🔹 PHASE 2 — AKC COMPETITION CAMPAIGN
Weeks 9–16
➤ Weeks 9–10 — First Trial Runs
Enter initial AKC horseback events
Performance tracked in real-time conditions
Between events: tune endurance, manners, and range
➤ Weeks 11–12 — Correct & Advance
Address breaks, sideways races, weak honors, or pattern issues
Second AKC trial or multi-stake weekend
Maintain confidence with targeted drills
➤ Weeks 13–14 — Push for Placements
Trial polish:
• Honoring accuracy
• Bird contact setups
• Conditioning for full brace
Evaluate multi-stake potential for qualified dogs
➤ Weeks 15–16 — Final Runs & Report-Out
Close out remaining AKC events for circuit
Track placements, points, and progression
Final written summary of:
• Stake potential moving forward
• Campaign readiness
• Handler suitability (open vs amateur)
• Conditioning plan
• Title trajectory
✅ What Owners Get
✔ Full evaluation and stake placement
✔ Professional horseback handling
✔ Bird exposure & AKC rule-based training
✔ Conditioning matched to 30-minute braces
✔ Active AKC trial entries and campaigning
✔ Written updates & end-of-program report
✅ Ideal For:
Young dogs showing field trial potential
Owners without time/resources to run trials themselves
Dogs needing polish before Gun Dog/All-Age stakes
Breeding prospects seeking FC/AFC titles
Puppy & Derby development under horseback standards
AKC Pointing Breed Hunt Test Program
12 Weeks • 3 Months Training • 1 Month Campaigning
Junior • Senior • Master Hunter Prep
This program is designed for owners who want their dogs evaluated, trained, and professionally run in AKC Pointing Breed Hunt Tests. Dogs are placed in the appropriate level and developed according to the JH/SH/MH rule structure.
✅ 3 Months – Training & Evaluation (Weeks 1–12)
✅ 1 Month – Hunt Test Campaigning (Weeks 13–16)
🔹 PHASE 1 — TRAINING & EVALUATION (Weeks 1–12)
Weeks 1–2 — Intake & Level Assessment
Evaluate:
Drive
Pointing instinct
Biddability
Retrieve desire
Gunfire response
Range & handle
Assign stake: Junior, Senior, or Master
Intro or review:
Recall, heel, whoa
Bird exposure
First honors or retrieves
Owner deliverable: Written evaluation + level assignment
Weeks 3–4 — Foundation by Level
Junior Hunter (JH)
Quartering and search pattern
Strong pointing development
Light bird contacts
Gunfire conditioning
Senior/Master (SH/MH)
Pattern work on foot
Honoring introduction
Whoa reinforcement
First retrieves
Bird contact with expectations
Weeks 5–6 — Birdwork & Manners
Junior
Increase bird finds
Start holding point
Recall while excited
Senior
Steady to shot
Retrieve to hand intro
Honor drills with launchers
Master
Steady to wing, shot, and fall
Retrieve proofing
Multi-bird work and multiple finds
Backing under pressure
3–4 field sessions weekly + conditioning
Weeks 7–9 — Advanced Prep
All levels:
Real birds + gunner
Bracemate scenarios
Handling corrections
Retrieve cleanup
Backing reliability
Solid whoa response
Endurance conditioning
Level-specific refinements:
JH — independence, bird drive, basic manners
SH — steady to wing, retrieve expectations, honoring
MH — full steadiness, advanced honoring, polished handling
Weeks 10–12 — Mock Tests & Campaign Ready
Simulated test runs:
Judges, gunners, bracemates
Bird finds per stake expectations
Retrieves under test rules
Honoring accuracy
15–30 min brace durations
Finalize:
Test entries
Travel schedule
Pass/title strategy
End of phase — update to owner
🔹 PHASE 2 — HUNT TEST CAMPAIGN (Weeks 13–16)
Weeks 13–14 — First Hunt Test Weekend(s)
Enter JH/SH/MH stakes
Real-time evaluation under AKC rules
Between events:
Clean up breaking
Pattern fixes
Retrieve touch-ups
Backing tune-ups
Weeks 15–16 — Title Push & Completion
Additional events to finish passes/title legs
Maintain rhythm and confidence
Finalize:
• Title status
• Stake progression plan
• Handler guidance
• Conditioning recommendations
• Breeding or campaign potential
What Owners Receive
✔ Level evaluation + written plan
✔ Stake placement (JH/SH/MH)
✔ Gunfire, birdwork & steadiness development
✔ Retrieve and honoring training
✔ Conditioning for test pace
✔ Professional test handling
✔ Entry coordination & campaigning
✔ Final report + progression strategy
Ideal Candidates
🐾 Young dogs ready for Junior development
🐾 Gun-season dogs moving to Senior
🐾 Finished hunting dogs prepping for Master
🐾 Owners without time to train & campaign
🐾 Breeding stock needing AKC titles
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Bird Camp
Summer camp: Montana
August 1st- September 15th 2025
12 dogs maximum
Dogs will be run from horseback on the prairie, being exposed to hundreds of wild birds a week, as well as being exposed to mannerisms expected in the field when ran with another dog. 40,000 acres of prime sharptail, hun, and pheasant habitat.$1500
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One-on-One
These sessions are for owners who would like to come out to the grounds for some one-on-one sessions with their dogs. You will receive guidance on what we see and be directed in the right direction toward achieving your dog's individual goals.
$75.00 -
Started Dog Camp
This is a 1-year program for breeders or owners who would like to start with a dog that has been properly brought up and exposed to wild birds. Dogs that go through this program will live here at CCK for one year. In that year, your dog will spend over 100 days chasing wild birds in numerous different states and environments. Dogs are to be sent in at 4-6 months of age to be developed by me. After one year, you will have a dog that is trained and eager to please you.
Invoices for any program will be charged monthly.
*Bird cost is not included in final price.