Like most other hobbies, training your Curly for field work can be addicting....and expensive! There are a dizzying array of things you must have, plus other items you would like to have "someday" to make training easier. Then there are all those choices to make between many similar looking items. How do you know what to buy and what you don't really need? Through trial and error, I've come up with a list of essential items I can't live without (some are brands I wish I had purchased the first time around!), as well as a few items that are on my wish list. There are reasons I chose these specific items over similar equipment and I'll try to explain why. Don't attempt to purchase everything at once! It isn't necessary plus your spouse and your pocketbook will thank you. Most of the items below can be purchased over the internet at Lion Country Supply , Gun Dog Supply , or Dogs Afield. Outfitters like Cabella's, Bass Pro Shops, and Gander Mountain also carry limited dog training equipment along with lots of camoflauge clothing (camo is required attire for HRC events). I've included a short list of resources for field clothing cut just for us women. Trust me, you will get tired of wearing men's or boy's camo that doesn't really fit. First you need a GOOD DOG, then a WHISTLE......so let's get shopping!   Puppy Training Whistle  (the one the Pro's use) Lanyard  (whistle/call combo - serious trainers use leather but you can upgrade later) Check Cord  (this one's tangle proof) Flat Buckle Collar  (get vinyl - nylon webbing or cotton collars will mildew after water work) Canvas Bumpers  (softer and lighter weight than other bumpers for your baby puppy)  Bird Wings  (attach to canvas bumpers with plastic zip ties) Sound Beginnings  (Jackie Mertens puppy program on DVD) Bumper Launcher  (wish list item - great for puppy training but you'll eventually want to throw real birds)   Intermediate Training Vinyl Bumpers  (White or Black/White - this brand is much softer on dog's teeth and gums than others) Duck Call  (there are so many choices, just make sure it's LOUD! - this one is loud & very inexpensive) Heeling Stick  (perfectly sized for ladies, slips easily into back pocket - larger size available for men) Training Tab  (or make your own to use when a full length check cord is no longer necessary)  Electronic Collar  (available in one- or two-dog models, see my e-collar discussion below) Slip Lead  (all-in-one collar and lead used during hunt tests where flat buckle collars aren't allowed) Training Program  (pick just one program and stay with it - this one explains everything well)   Advanced Training Vinyl Bumpers  (Orange - for cold blind work) NEF 209 Starter Pistol  (no longer made, but if you happen to find an old one grab it and guard it well!) Starter Pistol  (not the least expensive model but certainly the most well made and dependable) Primers  (shotshells for your starter pistol) Retriever Drills  (diagrams of drills for all training levels, by Carol Cassity) Wingers  (wish list item - great for solo or small group training and for multiple dogs in training) Winger Electronics  (wish list item - for remote operation of the wingers from the starting line)   Women's Clothing....you DO want to look good don't you? She Hunts  (don't forget good rain gear too - lightweight and breathable!) Ugly Dog Hunting Co.  (carries limited women's clothing and field boots) Rubber Boots  (it's going to be wet and muddy out there - comfort & lightweight are key)   Miscellaneous Items Crate Fan  (this one moves LOTS of air and doesn't require batteries - it's worth every penny!) Shade Cloth  (because parking under a tree isn't always possible - this one allows air circulation)   Where to Find Training Help The very best thing you can do is join a retreiver training club in your local area. Clubs are always eager to welcome newcomers to the sport and dues are cheap. Through club membership you will have access to training grounds, training seminars, birds for training, and experienced amateur trainers willing to help you when problems occur. It's also a good place to find out if any training groups meet regularly near you. You will have more fun training in a small group than doing everything all on your own, and certain training concepts simply can't be done without group help! Click for a list of AKC Clubs and HRC Clubs to find the club(s) nearest you. NAHRA is another group of clubs but their tests are not available in my area so I'm not familiar with them. Another option is to train with a Professional retriever trainer. You can either pay for training sessions or find a Pro that will let you throw birds in exchange for running your dog in their training setup. Once you have proven your committment to the sport, the Pro may begin training YOU how to train your dog! Listen closely, take notes, do exactly what you're told, and thank your lucky stars for such a fantastic opportunity! You might also want to check out some of the retriever training bulletin boards. A few popular ones are Retriever Training Forum, Working Retriever Central, and the Duck Hunters Refuge. Members are more than willing to offer dog training advice so don't be afraid to jump in and ask questions.   Electronic Collar Training Many people feel strongly For or Against training with an e-collar. I won't get into the argument here, but suppose you have determined your dog needs the forced retrieve to fully understand that he must begin working for YOU and not just for himself. Don't attempt it if you've never done it before! At the very least, watch an experienced person force fetch a dog so you fully understand each of the many steps involved. Your dog MUST have all his adult teeth before starting the process (usually by 6 months of age) and be mentally mature enough to handle the pressure and stress of training. Since Curlies are a slow-maturing breed you might not start FF until the dog is 1-2 years old! Done properly, FF results in a happy dog who now understands and is willing and eager to perform his work. Done incorrectly, it can ruin a dog's attitude and drive and he will never reach his full potential as a working field & water dog. Because FF is so critical to get it right, many retriever owners leave this part of training to a professional retriever trainer. Where do you find an experienced and reputable trainer?   Hiring a Professional Retriever Trainer This is where your retriever club membership will really come in handy. Start by asking other members (whose opinion you trust) if they can recommend a professional retreiver trainer in your area. One or two names will repeatedly pop up and this is where your search will begin. Check to see if the recommended trainer is a member of the Professional Retriever Trainers Association. Does he or she only train for field trials, for AKC tests, for all test venues you are interested in running? Is he/she willing to train YOU how to handle your dog at hunt tests? If you want the Pro to do it all for you, keep in mind that some only train and don't compete at tests. How long have they been in the business of training retrievers? Does the trainer have documented success in training the "other" retrievers besides Labradors? Go to a hunt test where the Pro has client dogs entered. Observe the dogs performance and attitude. Do the dogs seem to enjoy their work and does the trainer appear to enjoy the dogs? Talk to the Pro and ask if there is a convenient time to come watch their dogs in training and to discuss the possibility of training your dog. Once there, pay close attention to the kennels and airing yards where the dogs are housed when not working. Are they large enough, are they clean, is plenty of fresh water available, is air circulation adequate, does every dog have protection from the elements? Are the dogs kept safely from each other to prevent dog aggression? What happens if your bitch comes in season while in training? How does the breeder expect to be paid? What is their fee schedule? Does that include live birds, dog food, flea and tick treatments? Are they willing to dispense other medications your dog may be taking and is there an extra charge for doing so? What brand of dog food do they feed - can you substitute your own brand if necessary? What happens if your dog becomes injured or sick? What is the maximum number of dogs in training at any given time? Is there a waiting list to get on the truck and how long is it? How are the dogs transported to and from the training grounds or hunt tests - does it seem safe? How and where do they train during extreme heat or cold? How often will you receive updates on your dogs progress? How often are you allowed to visit and train with your dog? What is the best way to contact the breeder if you have questions while your dog is in training? This probably seems like a lot of work, and it is! But it is so important to find the right Pro for a Curly - they simply can't be trained the same way as the Labrador breed. The Pro must understand this and be willing to modify their training methods slightly for a Curly. It is important for you to feel as comfortable with the Pro as your dog does. Your trainer will probably become one of your best friends and you are entrusting your precious Curly to their care, often for months at a time. Expect to pay between $500 to $800 per month or more, plus the cost of birds. Many trainers have a 3 month minimum stay requirement. Don't expect miracles in the first month or two. The trainer needs time to evaluate the dog's abilities and the dog needs time to adjust to its new environment and kennel routine and learn to trust the trainer before significant progress is achieved. While it is certainly possible to train your Curly on your own, the advantages of hiring a professional retriever trainer are many, especially for the novice trainer. In today's hectic society, it is very difficult to train your dog every day, consistently, given the additional demands of jobs, homes, and families. A lot of training can be accomplished in your own backyard or local park but few of us have access to the broad range of land and water that the Pros do. You never know what conditions you will encounter at a hunt test so it's important to train in as many different types of areas as possible. If you live in the city or suburbs, your neighbors, as well as the local police department, aren't likely to appreciate the sounds whistles and gunfire! A Pro will do a more thorough job of training your Curly than you, as a novice trainer can, and they will do it in a shorter amount of time. Plus, you can learn along with your dog! Pros will offer you sound advice when future training problems arise, which they will. After all, they are now as familiar with your dog as you are! I hope you are encouraged to give field training your Curly a try. It's going to be an enjoyable journey during which you and your Curly will bond even closer to each other. I wish you every success and remember to TRAIN DON'T COMPLAIN! See ya in the field!!