Upcoming Events
Virtual Group Class: Companion Gundog Foundations
This 8 week virtual group class provides an in depth understanding of our training system and introduces dogs to foundational behaviors that form the basis of all versatile gundog skill sets: searching, tracking, retrieving, and obedience. Lifestyle training is also incorporated into the instruction, helping owner/trainers clarify windows of drive expression for their dogs. This produces the ultimate hunting companion, capable of being a monster in the field and a good citizen around town.
Course participants will receive class recordings the day after the live class, and will maintain access to these recordings for six months after the course is over. Between sessions, participants are invited to record training sessions and send training clips to the instructor for assistance and feedback. Discounts for recommended training equipment that we stock are also provided.
This course includes in depth instruction on:
Developing a learning language
Maximizing the value of rewards
Effectively implementing reward hierarchies
Establishing clear signals through classical conditioning
Establishing clear consequences through operant conditioning
Tool selection
Multiple ways to incorporate pressure into your training to enhance reliability, commitment, and control
Pros and cons for various training tools, when to use them, and why
Tools covered:
Flat collars and harnesses
Slip collars (slip lead, wonder lead)
Prong and pinch collars
Electronic collars
Tie outs
Training tables/platforms
Bumpers, tugs, and game
Food
Foundational training exercises, their uses, and progressions
Shaping
Dopamine Box
Marker Board
Game Play
Retrieve
Lifestyle training
Establishing windows for drive expression
Establishing schedules, rituals, and routines
“Do this” vs. “don’t to that”
Building an “off switch” if your dog didn’t come with one
Sign up by March 17th and get 10% off the regular price with code FOUND10.
v.d. Wildblumen & v.d. Eiseneiche puppy owners can attend this class FREE. Your code is available in our Kennel Portal.
Versatile Gundog Webinar Series: Searching Exercises
This FREE webinar provides instruction on how we develop searching behavior and the test exercises that utilize it. This webinar covers:
Conditioned emotional responses
Developing independence
Desensitizing dogs to environmental discomfort
Drive building
how to increase possessiveness of game in dogs who are lukewarm to it
the process for developing “will to find”, the level of effort dogs have to exert to find game
Introductions
how we introduce puppies to game
how we introduce gunfire
how we introduce water and other forms of cover
Strategies for developing pointing in different breeds of dogs
Transitioning from elicited to discriminate behavior
Using operant conditioning to enhance natural ability
Obedience
Teaching your dog to quarter
Getting your dog to increase or decrease range using rewards
Getting your dog to increase or decrease range using pressure
Training tips for different test exercises
Field search
Duck search
Independent forest search
A link to join the webinar will be sent out to registered participants the day prior to the event. A recording will be available for all registered participants after the event. If you registered for a previous webinar in this series, you do not need to register again.
Here’s a list of all the upcoming webinars in the series:
June: Tracking
July: Retrieving
August: Neutrality, Capping, Obedience
August: Handling for Hunting and Hunt Tests
Modern Training for Sporting Dogs - Cato, New York
Two days of hands on learning & application of the language of modern dog training. All spots are working spots, but you may attend without a dog. Content covered in this seminar is applicable to all training disciplines, but focuses on sporting breeds including retrievers, flushers, pointers, and versatile. An online theory course is provided to all attendees in advance of the seminar to maximize hands-on time with dogs.
Registration fees are per person.
NePoPo® is a registered trademark of B.C.BB B.V. (Michael and Bart Bellon) and is used here with permission.
Versatile Gundog Webinar Series: Tracking Exercises
This FREE webinar provides instruction on how we develop searching behavior and the test exercises that utilize it. This webinar covers:
Basic tracking behaviors
The value of article indications for gundogs
Equipment signals and uses for tracking
Basic tracking patterns and what the dog learns from running them
Corrections for disobedience in tracking
pressure based corrections
environmental corrections
Rewards for obedience in tracking
keeping your dog calm on tracks
slowing down or speeding up tracking behaviors
Training tips for different test exercises
Dead game drags
Live game tracks
Blood tracking
A link to join the webinar will be sent out to registered participants the day prior to the event. A recording will be available for all registered participants after the event. If you registered for a previous webinar in this series, you do not need to register again.
Here’s a list of all the upcoming webinars in the series:
July: Retrieving
August: Neutrality, Capping, Obedience
August: Handling for Hunting and Hunt Tests
2025 Michigan Grouse Camp
Ruffed grouse and woodcock hunting in the mitten! These hunt camps are educational, unguided, DIY events. Our aim is to put you in an area with good bird numbers and help you understand how to be successful hunting wild birds with your own dog. Dogs are allowed on the premises outside, but not inside the house. Dogs must be kenneled in vehicles at night.
Included with your registration:
6 nights accommodations
Webinar covering
e-scouting
food source and habitat identification
packing list
safety considerations for humans and dogs
All bathrooms are shared. This trip allows for a maximum of 10 people. If you would like to select your roommate(s) please contact us after submitting payment for your accommodation.
Payment & Refund Policy:
Full payment is required up front to reserve your accommodations.
Cancellation requests must be sent in writing to info@ironoakdogs.com
Refund Schedule
Cancel by March 31 - 100% refund, minus credit card processing fee
Cancel by April 30 - $80% refund, minus credit card processing fee
Cancel by May 31 - 60% refund, minus credit card processing fee
Cancel by June 30 - 40% refund, minus credit card processing fee
July 31 - 20 % refund, minus credit card processing fee
No refunds after July 31, 2025, no exceptions
2025 New Mexico Quail Camp
Quail hunting in the mountains and deserts of New Mexico! Five to six bedrooms are available ranging from $1200 for a private room to $300 for a shared space are available.
Included with your registration:
6 nights accommodations
Webinar covering e-scouting, packing list, safety considerations for humans and dogs
Coffee and breakfast each morning
These hunt camps are unguided DIY events. Our aim is to put you in an area with good bird numbers and help you understand how to be successful hunting wild birds with your own dog.
KlM-GNA VJP Test
We typically rent a house for ourselves and other puppy owners who are planning on testing their dog. If you would like to join us, please email Nate and Gretchen at info@ironoakdogs.com so we can begin gauging interest.
Below are examples of completed entry forms for dogs within the litter listed. You can copy/paste the test details, birthdate, dam & sire, breeder information, etc.
Be sure to check off the VJP box in the top section, and fill out you & your dog’s individual information, such as kennel name, microchip number, ZBr, the owner/handler info, including your hunting license number, etc.
Formblatt 1 - WILDBLUMEN B LITTER example
Formblatt 1 - EISENEICHE A LITTER example
About the VJP Test
The VJP is a test that evaluates the natural abilities of a young versatile hunting dog. Most of the pups who run a VJP are between 6 and 18 months of age. A full VJP (with 5 dogs) will usually last for an entire day. A VJP consists of three main phases of judging: Search, Pointing, and Tracking. Your pup will be expected to search a field, find and point at least 1 wild/liberated bird, and track wild cottontail rabbits/jackrabbits in another area.
The VJP judges evaluate 5 attributes throughout the day. Those attributes are as follows:
Tracking- A dog is required to demonstrate a willingness, desire and ability to concentrate under difficult hunting conditions. The manner of the dog is also noted.
Nose - The degree of accurate scent discrimination and how sensitive the nose is, are evaluated. The nose is evaluated during Search, Pointing and Tracking.
Search- A dog is evaluated on the desire to find game, style, and stamina coupled with an impressive search pattern. A dog is also evaluated on how steady it is to gunshot.
Pointing- A dog is evaluated on the duration and intensity of the point, and must indicate the location of the game.
Cooperation- The ability for the dog to remain attentive and to be a team member is a very highly valued trait. The dog needs to demonstrate the ability to know where the handler is, be able to change direction with the handler and have the ability to note the location of his handler when working out of sight.
A dog can be rated on a 1-11 scale for each of the 5 attribute categories. Dogs that give an exceptional performance in extreme conditions can also earn a 12 in the tracking and nose subjects. The tracking and nose scores are multipled by 2 and added to the search, pointing, and cooperation scores for a final score.
Versatile Gundog Webinar Series: Equipment, Signals, Behaviors
This FREE webinar provides instruction the training equipment we use, how we develop clear signals to communicate with our dogs, and the process of training the five fundamental exercises (that you can teach in your basement or garage!) we teach to our versatile gundogs. This webinar covers:
Training Equipment
What tools we use and why
Leads and check cords
Collars
Electronics
Toys
Tables, boxes, and pens
Pros and cons of each piece of equipment
Signals
Classical conditioning
Reward and punishment markers
Putting behaviors on command
Non-verbal cues
Situational cues
Fundamental Exercises/Behaviors
Tie outs
Teaching leash and collar communication
Developing drive
Developing neutrality
Box work
Teaching article indications and tracking behaviors
Developing commitment, persistence, and mental toughness
Counter conditioning and desensitization
Table work
Send aways
Steadiness
Casting and directionals
Retrieve
Creating clarity in the fetch, hold, and give behaviors
A forced retrieve process that you and your dog will actually enjoy
Basic yardwork for marks and blinds
Gameplay
Building confidence, creativity, and independence through brain games
Creating passion for pressure
Why you should play tug with your gundog
A link to join the webinar will be sent out to registered participants the day prior to the event. A recording will be available for all registered participants after the event. If you registered for a previous webinar in this series, you do not need to register again.
Here’s a list of all the upcoming webinars in the series:
May: Searching
June: Tracking
July: Retrieving
August: Neutrality, Capping, Obedience
August: Handling for Hunting and Hunt Tests
Confidence & Environmentals Drop In Session
These sessions focus on building confidence in novel situations, and developing neutrality to environmental stimuli.
Prerequisite:
Attend at least 4 Manners & Obedience drop in sessions
Pass Canine Good Citizen test
Manners & Obedience Drop In Session
These sessions focus on applying manners and obedience to common scenarios, and work towards meeting objective training standards set by the AKC Canine Good Citizen and Community Canine Tests.
Prerequisite:
Complete any standard training program with Iron Oak Dog Co.
Iron Oak Kennels Training Weekend
Training weekends are open to all owners of dogs from v.d. Wildblumen and v.d. Eiseneiche Kennels. We prioritize dogs/handlers that are registered and preparing for breed certification tests (VJP, HZP, VGP), but we are happy to assist everyone in achieving their training goals. Everyone is expected to assist each other in setting up training exercises and cleaning up at the end of the day.
We ask for a nominal $20 fee per day to help us cover costs related to conducting these training days: access to private grounds, wear and tear on equipment, consumables such as shot shells, our time, gas for picking up live game, etc.
Public Access Drop In Session
These sessions focus on public access training, which is advanced obedience that ensures a dog is non-intrusive and safe to be around in public environments and situations. These sessions also work towards meeting the training standards set by the AKC Urban Canine (CGC-U) public access test.
Prerequisite:
Attend at least 4 Manners & Obedience drop in sessions
Attend at least 4 Confidence & Environmentals drop in sessions
Pass Canine Good Citizen test
Pass Community Canine test
Manners & Obedience Drop In Session
These sessions focus on applying manners and obedience to common scenarios, and work towards meeting objective training standards set by the AKC Canine Good Citizen and Community Canine Tests.
Prerequisite:
Complete any standard training program with Iron Oak Dog Co.
Confidence & Environmentals Drop In Session
These sessions focus on building confidence in novel situations, and developing neutrality to environmental stimuli.
Prerequisite:
Attend at least 4 Manners & Obedience drop in sessions
Pass Canine Good Citizen test
Iron Oak Kennels Training Weekend
Training weekends are open to all owners of dogs from v.d. Wildblumen and v.d. Eiseneiche Kennels. We prioritize dogs/handlers that are registered and preparing for breed certification tests (VJP, HZP, VGP), but we are happy to assist everyone in achieving their training goals. Everyone is expected to assist each other in setting up training exercises and cleaning up at the end of the day.
We ask for a nominal $20 fee per day to help us cover costs related to conducting these training days: access to private grounds, wear and tear on equipment, consumables such as shot shells, our time, gas for picking up live game, etc.
Versatile Gundog Webinar Series: Training Flow Chart
This FREE webinar discusses a logical, methodical sequence for training versatile gundogs from puppyhood through finished gundog with a focus on balancing the drive and intensity required of a hunting dog and the manners and obedience required of a companion dog. This webinar covers:
Puppy Development
Direct and indirect socialization
Building drive, confidence, and work ethic
Introductions to game, gunfire, and water
Developing an “off switch” and clarifying when the dog should “switch on”
Developing a learning language
Started Dog Work
Nurturing the three fundamental hunting behaviors
Searching
Tracking
Retrieving
Developing control without conflict
Drive Capping
Neutrality
Obedience
Using basic behaviors to create behavior chains and teach abstract concepts
Seasoned Dog Work
Tactfully developing your dog’s relationship with force/compulsion
Layering force over known behaviors
Installing the “must key” for truly reliable obedience
Using the e-collar as a gas pedal
Finished Dog Work
Establishing clear pressure signals for “do” and “do not”
Enforcing obedience while maintaining enthusiasm
A link to join the webinar will be sent out to registered participants the day prior to the event. A recording will be available for all registered participants after the event.
Here’s a list of all the upcoming webinars in the series:
Public Access Drop In Session
These sessions focus on public access training, which is advanced obedience that ensures a dog is non-intrusive and safe to be around in public environments and situations. These sessions also work towards meeting the training standards set by the AKC Urban Canine (CGC-U) public access test.
Prerequisite:
Attend at least 4 Manners & Obedience drop in sessions
Attend at least 4 Confidence & Environmentals drop in sessions
Pass Canine Good Citizen test
Pass Community Canine test
Confidence & Environmentals Drop In Session
These sessions focus on building confidence in novel situations, and developing neutrality to environmental stimuli.
Prerequisite:
Attend at least 4 Manners & Obedience drop in sessions
Pass Canine Good Citizen test
Iron Oak Kennels Training Weekend
Training weekends are open to all owners of dogs from v.d. Wildblumen and v.d. Eiseneiche Kennels. We prioritize dogs/handlers that are registered and preparing for breed certification tests (VJP, HZP, VGP), but we are happy to assist everyone in achieving their training goals. Everyone is expected to assist each other in setting up training exercises and cleaning up at the end of the day.
We ask for a nominal $20 fee per day to help us cover costs related to conducting these training days: access to private grounds, wear and tear on equipment, consumables such as shot shells, our time, gas for picking up live game, etc.
Manners & Obedience Drop In Session
These sessions focus on applying manners and obedience to common scenarios, and work towards meeting objective training standards set by the AKC Canine Good Citizen and Community Canine Tests.
Prerequisite:
Complete any standard training program with Iron Oak Dog Co.
Trained Retrieve Virtual Group Class
This course covers a balanced approach to the trained retrieve and is suitable for gun dogs and companion dogs alike! Because of our unique approach, this course is fine for young dogs as long as they have their adult teeth. The timing of the course puts handlers who participate in NAVHDA or JGV tests in a very good position to maximize their training season in preparation for the HZP, UPT, and UT tests. With the retrieve completed by early March, you'll have all Spring and Summer to train your water work and dragged game retrieves on a comfortable timeline.
No special equipment is needed. You'll be able to use things you already have around your home. On the off chance that any additional equipment is needed, it will cost less than $20 from a hardware store.
The process we will follow in this course:
Teach behaviors with rewards. This builds confidence and enthusiasm.
When things are going well, introduce pressure (your choice of a number of options) that will be used to enforce compliance. This builds responsibility and reliability while maintaining a good attitude.
Once the basic behavior is taught, we will layer remote collar on top of the behavior for additional versatility, and reliability at great distances
After the core retrieve behavior is taught, additional lessons cover initial yardwork drills applicable to hunting dogs, as well as utility/service applications such as fetching named objects, opening doors, and flipping light switches.
There are no prerequisites for this course but a solid understanding of dog training concepts and a conditioned reward marker are strongly recommended.
This course meets at the same day/time for 8 consecutive weeks and participants will maintain access to the class recordings for 6 months after the course is complete. Class recordings will be shared with the group the day after the live session, so if you need to miss sessions, you will still have access to the content.
Additionally, participants will receive access to our online training theory course in advance and keep access to it indefinitely. This ensures everyone has a baseline understanding of critical concepts that impact all dog training endeavors.
Finally, if you need additional assistance, Nate will be offering “office hours” both in person and online. These 30 minute private sessions provide one on one support for class participants on an ad hoc basis for $25/session. Sessions are available in Baltimore City, MD, South Central PA, and online via Google Meet.
Southwest Quail Camp
A week of hunting multiple types of quail, rabbits, and waterfowl in the beautiful southwest. Registration fee includes an educational webinar, lodging, and game processing tutorials.
Registration for this hunt camp is full.
Manners & Obedience Drop In Session (Copy)
These sessions focus on applying manners and obedience to common scenarios, and work towards meeting objective training standards set by the AKC Canine Good Citizen and Community Canine Tests.
Prerequisite:
Complete any standard training program with Iron Oak Dog Co.
Public Access Drop In Session
These sessions focus on public access training, which is advanced obedience that ensures a dog is non-intrusive and safe to be around in public environments and situations. These sessions also work towards meeting the training standards set by the AKC Urban Canine (CGC-U) public access test.
Prerequisite:
Attend at least 4 Manners & Obedience drop in sessions
Attend at least 4 Confidence & Environmentals drop in sessions
Pass Canine Good Citizen test
Pass Community Canine test
NePoPo® Seminar - Lillington, NC
Two days of hands on learning & application of the language of modern dog training. All spots are working spots, but you may attend without a dog. Content covered in this seminar is applicable to all training disciplines, but focuses on sporting breeds including retrievers, flushers, pointers, and versatile. An online theory course is provided to all attendees in advance of the seminar to maximize hands-on time with dogs.
Registration includes entrance for one person. Every participant may bring dog(s), provided you can adequately contain them in your vehicle when not working. The seminar includes role play to illustrate concepts, demonstration with suitable dogs in different stages of training, and time for all handlers to work their dogs on basic exercises.
NePoPo® is a registered trademark of B.C.BB B.V. (Michael and Bart Bellon) and is used here with permission.
Confidence & Environmentals Drop In Session
These sessions focus on building confidence in novel situations, and developing neutrality to environmental stimuli.
Prerequisite:
Attend at least 4 Manners & Obedience drop in sessions
Pass Canine Good Citizen test
Manners & Obedience Drop In Session
These sessions focus on applying manners and obedience to common scenarios, and work towards meeting objective training standards set by the AKC Canine Good Citizen and Community Canine Tests.
Prerequisite:
Complete any standard training program with Iron Oak Dog Co.