Dog Program
Providing professional training specifically for sporting dogs, but family companions as well . Focuses on positive forward training, grounded in fundamentals and customized for each dog our personalized training takes the goals of handler and dog into consideration while training. Each fall our team of handlers and dogs serve the company as key employees, ensuring the success of the day in the field.
TRAINING
Professional training for your sporting dog or every day companion. After understanding the goal of the training, we provide an assessment based on a range of skill sets, from basic obedience to action in the field. A training plan will be developed for your dog based on the assessment and goals.
Consistent, positive training methods will build your dog’s skills, performance and ability. Handler training is also essential for lasting success. The relationship between dog and handler is also developed through a training plan. Many of our canine hunting companions spend their days at home, so we help dogs and owners establish routines of success. We offer a range of lesson packages that allow individuals to train with their dogs.
Unique to Blixt & Co is the opportunity for sporting dogs to experience a diversity of rugged terrain, gunfire exposure and unmatched opportunities for game bird recovery on both driven and rough shooting walkups. On a shooting day, dogs are exposed to wealth of birds with the opportunity to pick up birds in this unique environment, affording unparalleled opportunities for retriever work.
TRAINING PACKAGES AVAILABLE
Basic gundog training
Seasoned retriever development
Finished retriever refinement
Picking up opportunities for finished retriever/handler teams
GROUP WORK & WORKSHOPS
We have found that working with other dogs and handlers allows exposure to multiple dogs and environments can lead to success. Puppy, beginner, seasoned and finished workshops are offered throughout the year.
Additionally, group work allows for fundamentals to become the foundations for growth for handler and dog. By utilizing a variety of environments, the variety and stimulus of the group work helps build essential behaviors.
BLIXT DOG TEAM
The Blixt & Co dog team is a dedicated group of handlers from our area that share their passion for great dog work and commitment to recover every bird down. Utilizing their own dogs, some handlers running multiple dogs at a time, mark downed and wounded birds for timely and effective retrieval. At the end of every drive, a coordinated sweep ensures that all the game is respectfully gathered for the game cart.
VISITING HANDLERS
Visiting handlers have the opportunity to pick up on an authentic driven shoot, which is rare in North America. The dog captain organizes the team, providing guidelines for etiquette and handling expectations. Dogs and handlers are expected to work quietly, professionally and without e-collars.
BREEKS
Featured in nearly every sporting magazine and even on the cover of Forbes, Mike Stewart and the dogs of Wildrose Kennels have become, arguably one of the country’s leading trainers and breeders in the industry. Mike has also developed a specific training method that boast quiet, steady, eager dogs that are as good in the field as they are fireside. Taged as the “Gentleman’s Gundog”, Mike has also developed programs for the Adventure Dog, Diabetic Alert Dogs and of course the Sporting dog. All English Labradors, it won’t take you long to see why the waiting list for a dog from Wildrose is over 2 years!
RUBY
Featured in nearly every sporting magazine and even on the cover of Forbes, Mike Stewart and the dogs of Wildrose Kennels have become, arguably one of the country’s leading trainers and breeders in the industry. Mike has also developed a specific training method that boast quiet, steady, eager dogs that are as good in the field as they are fireside. Taged as the “Gentleman’s Gundog”, Mike has also developed programs for the Adventure Dog, Diabetic Alert Dogs and of course the Sporting dog. All English Labradors, it won’t take you long to see why the waiting list for a dog from Wildrose is over 2 years!
OBI
For years we had searched for a trainer, familiar with the style and expectations of picking up on a driven shoot, to help Blixt & Co craft a strong dog program. On a Sunday morning read of a sporting magazine, we found him. A photo of Mike Stewart, surrounded by attentive dogs, all without e-collars, caught the eye of Lars Magnusson and by Wednesday, Lars was in Mississippi. The relationship between Wildrose and Blixt & Co has grown ever since.
In 2017, we took the partnership one step further, with Wildrose opening Wildrose Teton Valley. The Wildrose team will be onsite from June to November, offering a broad range of training. Wildrose will also direct and manage the Blixt Dog Team, acting as Dog Captain.
GIN
Blixt & Co is committed to the training method developed at Wildrose. We believe in the philosophy and results of training using the Wildrose Way.
Wildrose specializes in producing classic English Labrador hunting and adventure companions…The Gentleman’s Gundog…a dog of duality prepared to go anywhere, any time for any type of wingshooting or outside adventure. These are dogs that truly complement the families’ sporting lifestyle.
The Wildrose training processes are designed to create a positive, productive relationship between the gundog and the handler by establishing clear expectations for the retriever’s calm behavior and performance, as well as, a strong bond between the two. The balanced methods (The Wildrose Way) utilize positive habit formation to entrench essential behaviors such as ease of handle, gamefinding ability and compatibility.
MESA
Blixt & Co is committed to the training method developed at Wildrose. We believe in the philosophy and results of training using the Wildrose Way.
Wildrose specializes in producing classic English Labrador hunting and adventure companions…The Gentleman’s Gundog…a dog of duality prepared to go anywhere, any time for any type of wingshooting or outside adventure. These are dogs that truly complement the families’ sporting lifestyle.
The Wildrose training processes are designed to create a positive, productive relationship between the gundog and the handler by establishing clear expectations for the retriever’s calm behavior and performance, as well as, a strong bond between the two. The balanced methods (The Wildrose Way) utilize positive habit formation to entrench essential behaviors such as ease of handle, gamefinding ability and compatibility.
WILLOW
Blixt & Co is committed to the training method developed at Wildrose. We believe in the philosophy and results of training using the Wildrose Way.
Wildrose specializes in producing classic English Labrador hunting and adventure companions…The Gentleman’s Gundog…a dog of duality prepared to go anywhere, any time for any type of wingshooting or outside adventure. These are dogs that truly complement the families’ sporting lifestyle.
The Wildrose training processes are designed to create a positive, productive relationship between the gundog and the handler by establishing clear expectations for the retriever’s calm behavior and performance, as well as, a strong bond between the two. The balanced methods (The Wildrose Way) utilize positive habit formation to entrench essential behaviors such as ease of handle, gamefinding ability and compatibility.
Picking Team
A unique opportunity with Blixt & Co. is a chance to be a part of an elite dog team designed to retrieve during the Driven Shoots each Fall. Your dog will be exposed to thousands of birds each day with chance to retrieve hundreds!
Dogs must be well trained and work well with other dogs. We will be offering multiple workshops throughout the year to educate dog and handler as to expectations and techniques needed for this particular style of dog work. We encourage all dogs to be e-collar FREE.
Dog handling on a Driven Shoot is different than many other types of dog work. If you are curious and would like to learn more about picking up on a Driven Shoot, we are always glad to tell you more about our procedures, just ask!
We are also looking for working spaniels to build a sweeping team. If you have a working spaniel and are interested in more information, please contact us.