2024 Retriever Training Classes

Beginners Class 2024 Details

(includes indoor and outdoor sessions)

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2024 Class Dates & Locations

This year FRC is offering one class starting at 3:00p each Sunday.

March 24: Introduction and class outline. Equipment review and demonstrations. Location: Paradise Alaska Stables off Ballaine Road, Fairbanks. 

NO DOGS AT THIS CLASS!

March 31, April 7, 14, 21 & 28: Indoor sessions. Retriever obedience, basic retrieve and other concepts. Classes meet at Paradise Alaska Stables off Ballaine Road.

  **If weather permits we may move outside earlier.**

May 5, 12: Outdoor sessions are usually held in the vicinity of the Chena River Lakes Flood Control Project, North Pole. Unless instructed otherwise, meet at the second red gate to the project.

Download PDF map to the grounds if held at Chena River Lakes area.

May 19: Picnic Test / Trial. The culmination of classes is a chance to experience Hunt Test and Field Trial set ups in an outdoor session, also usually held in the vicinity of the Chena River Lakes Flood Control Project, North Pole. Picnic Test / Trial starts at 9:00am and ends when we are done with all dogs. Please bring a side dish for the tailgate to follow.

Directions to Moose Creek Gate at Flood Control Project - Milepost 345

• From Badger Road interchange at North Pole
• Remain on the Richardson Hwy for 4 miles
• Go past the Dawson/Buzby and Laurence Road exits
• Go over the flood control project bridge (DO NOT turn into the gates that are on either end of the flood control bridge)
• Go over the Railroad bridge (immediately after you get over the flood control bridge)
• Take the next right – there is a turn lane and a yellow sign that reads “7-37” shortly before the turn.  Moose Creek Bluff will be on the left side of the road. If you cross over Moose Creek on the Richardson, you have gone too far.
• The road will take a hard left approximately 1/2 mile from the highway, DO NOT take the left – the gate is straight ahead.

COST: $130. Class size will be limited. Preference will be given to purebred dogs approved by AKC to run licensed retriever hunt tests (see list below). If space allows, other gun/bird dog breeds will be accepted.

REQUIREMENTS: Retrievers must be 3 months or older (at the first class) with current vaccinations. Classes will be divided into two groups, covering the same material. One dog per handler. We will be instructing the owner/handlers on the basics of starting / developing your dog for hunting and field work. This includes basic obedience, teaching to retrieve, and preparing the dog for more advanced training. The outdoor sessions will include land and water work (if water is warm enough) and ends with a Picnic Test/Trial where you and your retriever partner get to experience Hunt Test and Field Trial set ups. Appropriate social distancing requirements will be in place.

If you would rather enroll and pay by mail, DO NOT use this form. Instead, download the registration form by clicking here>>

Retriever Hunting Tests Eligible Breeds

All dogs six months of age or older from the following breeds are eligible to participate in Retriever Hunting Tests:

AKC Recognized and FSS Breeds
American Water Spaniels
Barbet
Boykin Spaniels
Chesapeake Retrievers
Curly-Coated Retrievers
Drentsche Patrijshond (Drent)
Flat-Coated Retrievers
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer (also Drahthaar)
Golden Retrievers
Irish Water Spaniels
Labrador Retrievers
Miniature Poodles
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
Spinone Italiano
Standard Poodles
Vizsla
Weimaraner
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon