Hunting Dog Training at Childress Creek Kennels

Train your dog to become a reliable, obedient, and skilled hunting partner with expert hunting dog training at Childress Creek Kennels in China Spring, Texas.

Proven Hunting Dog Training in Texas

At Childress Creek Kennels, we offer professional hunting dog training that brings out the best in your dog’s natural instincts. Whether you’re training a retriever for waterfowl, a pointer for upland game, or a flushing dog for fieldwork, our programs are designed to create a reliable and driven hunting companion. Located in China Spring, Texas, we train dogs for obedience, tracking, marking, and retrieval—all while maintaining a solid bond between dog and handler.

From Obedience to Field-Ready Performance

Every great hunting dog starts with a solid obedience foundation. Our training begins with voice and whistle commands, leash manners, and controlled focus—even in high-distraction environments. From there, we progress to advanced gun dog training, including steady to shot, retrieving on land and water, honoring, blind retrieves, and proper bird handling. Whether you’re prepping for duck blinds or upland fields, we tailor your dog’s program to your specific hunting goals.

Customized Retriever and Bird Dog Training

At Childress Creek Kennels, no two dogs are trained the same. Our trainers evaluate your dog’s drive, experience, and breed traits to develop a plan that maximizes their potential. We specialize in:

Retriever training (Labs, Goldens, Chessies)
Pointing and flushing breeds (GSPs, Brittanys, Spaniels)
Steady to flush and steady to wing/shot techniques
Water work and boat introduction
Decoy and gunfire desensitization
Blind and marked retrieve drills

With our balanced training approach, dogs become reliable in the field and manageable at home.

Water & Gun Dog Training Options

At Childress Creek Kennels, we develop reliable, polished, and hunt-ready retrievers trained for real waterfowl and upland scenarios. Below is a full breakdown of our training programs and what each tier includes.

Puppy Water & Gun Dog Training

Starts once your puppy has completed all vaccinations. This program builds the foundation for a confident future hunting retriever.

Puppy Training Includes:

Basic obedience fundamentals
Early socialization with people & dogs
Exposure to new environments, surfaces & sounds
Group sessions with seasoned mentor dogs

Ideal For: Future hunting dogs needing a strong developmental foundation. $795 30 Day Camp.

PUPPY TRAINING REGISTRATION HERE

Basic Water Dog & Gun Dog Training

This is our core “starter hunter” program and where most dogs begin their journey toward becoming a functional duck or upland retriever. For dogs 5–9 months old.

Basic Water & Gun Dog Training Includes:

Sit, Stay, Place, Down, Here, Heel, Load Up, and Kennel commands verbal, hand & whistle.
Introduction to gunfire & live birds
Retrieve-to-hand fundamentals
Force Fetching
Water and Land Single/Double Retrieves
Steadiness To Shot
Group Dog sessions w Mentor Dogs
Dogtra 1900s E-Collar
Prong, Flat & Working Collar
Upland & Waterfowl Dummies
Dog Training Bed
(3) Whitewing & Mourning Dove Hunts
(2) Quail, (1) Chukar & (3) Pheasant Hunts
(2) Early Season Teal Hunts
Junior Title is likely

Additional Benefits Of Our Basic Hunting Dog Training

1 Year of Unlimited In-Person Refresher Sessions
14-Day Maintenance Tune-Up After Graduation

Ideal For: Young retrievers and pointers ready to advance from obedience to field-use work. $3,850 90 Day Camp. To reserve your spot we require 50% down $1,925. Balance of $1,925 paid out (6) months $320 per month.

BASIC TRAINING REGISTRATION

Advanced Water & Gun Dog Training

Built for dogs ready to perform at a high level in both water and land retrieves. This is where retrievers transition from good to elite.

Advanced Water & Gun Dog Training Includes:

Everything in Basic Training
Extended steadying under high distraction
Working with other dogs
Off-leash control in field, water & boats
Reliable e-collar conditioned responses
Steady to shot, fall & multiple gunners
Singles, doubles, triples, and quads
Long birds (250+ yards)
Marking across terrain factors
Re-entries / re-casts
Long swim confidence conditioning
Hand-signal directional control
Mock Junior, Senior & Master Certification Tests
(3) Whitewing & (3) Mourning Dove Hunt – Texas
(5) Early Canada Goose Hunts – North Dakota
(2) Sandhill Crane Hunt – Texas
(3) Pheasant Hunt – Iowa
(3) Quail, (3) Chukar & (3) Pheasant Hunt – Texas
Stable around children, guests, other dogs
Calm in kennels, blinds, boats, and vehicles
No aggression, no resource guarding
Trailer loading & kennel manners

Additional Benefits Of Our Advanced Hunting Dog Training

Unlimited In-Person Refreshers
Yearly 14-Day Board & Train Maintenance Training

Ideal For: Hunters who want a polished, fully capable, test-level retriever. $10,850 180-365 Training Days. To reserve your spot we require 50% down $5,425. Balance of $5,425 paid out (12) months $452 per month.

ADVANCED TRAINING REGISTRATION

Why Hunters Trust Childress Creek Kennels

Hunters across Texas and the South choose us because we combine experience with real-world training environments. Our rural training grounds allow dogs to work with live birds, water retrieves, and hunting scenarios that simulate actual field conditions. We train year-round and offer board-and-train programs that fit your schedule and your dog’s needs. Whether it’s your first season or your fifth, we help you build a dog that hunts hard and listens well.

Start Your Dog’s Hunting Journey Today

Give your hunting partner the tools to succeed. Contact Childress Creek Kennels in China Spring, TX to schedule a hunting dog evaluation and customize your training package. Whether you’re building from scratch or sharpening existing skills, we’re here to deliver results that last in the blind and beyond.

Formal Training At CCK Will Be Jan/5/2026 – Aug/ 31/2026. Real World Wing-Shooting Adventures Sept/1/2026 -Dec/23/2026

MONTANA • NEBRASKA • IOWA • OKLAHOMA • NEW MEXICO • TEXAS

CALL IS TODAY TO GET YOUR DOG STARTED

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Hunting Dog Training – Frequently Asked Questions

General Hunting Dog Training Questions

What breeds of hunting dogs do you train?

At Childress Creek Kennels we train a variety of hunting dog breeds, including Labrador Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers, and other retriever and upland breeds. If your dog has natural hunt drive and bird interest, we can usually build a custom program for them.

What does your hunting dog training program focus on?

Our programs focus on obedience, steadiness, marking, retrieving on land and water, gunfire conditioning, bird introduction, and real-world hunting scenarios. We want your dog steady at the line, confident in cover, and reliable on every retrieve.

How old should my dog be to start hunting training?

Puppies can start foundation work once they are fully vaccinated. Formal gun dog and hunting work typically begins around 5–6 months of age, depending on your dog’s maturity, drive, and obedience level.

Where is your training facility and what kind of terrain do you use?

Our training grounds near Central Texas give dogs exposure to real hunting environments: ponds, flooded cover, open fields, timber, and thick brush. We train in realistic scenarios so your dog is ready for actual hunt days, not just training setups.

Program Length, Cost & Logistics

How long does a typical hunting dog training program last?

Program length depends on your goals and your dog’s starting point. Most hunting dog programs run several months so we can build solid obedience, confidence, and reliable performance in the field. Contact us and we’ll recommend the best option for your dog.

How much does hunting dog training cost?

Pricing is based on the level of training, length of the program, and your dog’s current skill set. Once we know your dog’s age, breed, and goals, we can give you a clear quote and recommended training package.

Do I leave my dog with you for training?

Yes. Most of our hunting dog programs are board-and-train. Your dog stays with us during the program, and we schedule owner–handler sessions so you learn how to handle and maintain the dog’s training once they go home.

What vaccinations or health requirements do you have?

For the safety of all dogs, we require current core vaccinations (such as rabies, distemper, and parvo), flea and tick prevention, and proof of good overall health. We’ll review requirements with you before your start date.

Results, Hunting Season & Aftercare

Will my dog be ready for hunting season after training?

That’s the goal. We focus on skills that transfer directly into the blind or field – steadiness under gunfire, marking birds, navigating water and cover, and delivering to hand. Your consistency at home and in the field helps lock in everything we’ve trained.

How will I be updated on my dog’s progress?

We keep you informed with regular communication and can provide photos or video of your dog working. At the end of the program, we schedule a detailed handoff session so you feel confident handling your dog in real hunts.

Do you offer refresher or tune-up training after the main program?

Yes. We can schedule refresher sessions or short stay-and-train tune-ups before hunting season to sharpen skills and clean up any bad habits that may have developed in the off-season.

Why Choose Childress Creek Kennels

What makes Childress Creek Kennels different from other trainers?

We live and breathe working dogs and hunting dogs. Our training is built around real hunts – not just drills – and we treat each dog like an individual athlete. The focus is a reliable, controllable, high-drive hunting partner you can trust in tough conditions.

Can you tailor training to my specific hunting style and goals?

Absolutely. Whether you mainly hunt waterfowl, upland, or a mix of both, we’ll discuss how you actually hunt and customize the drills, setups, and expectations so your dog is built for your real-world use.

Still Have Questions?

How do I get started with hunting dog training at Childress Creek Kennels?

The next step is simple: reach out through our contact form or give us a call. Tell us about your dog, your hunting style, and your goals. We’ll recommend the right program and reserve a training spot for you.

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