Wyoming bird dog training
Bird Dog Training for Wyoming Hunters
Training takes place at our established kennel in Payson, Utah. Utah Bird Dog Training does not have a Wyoming location.
A meaningful number of Wyoming clients still bring their dogs here for retriever work, pointing-dog training, and obedience. Drop-off and pickup are in Payson.
For nearly 20 years, Tyce Erickson has trained hunting dogs full time. You make one trip to drop the dog off. The dog stays and trains. You come back when the program is finished.
- $1,250 per month
- Boarding included
- Food not included
- Drop-off in Payson
One kennel
The work happens in Payson.
There is no satellite kennel, no Wyoming pickup route, and no training done in Wyoming. Dogs live and train at the same Payson kennel Utah, California, Nevada, Idaho, and Colorado clients use.
That is the point. Wyoming owners send a dog because they want this program — not a closer option that works differently.
Why make the drive?
Wyoming has trainers. The fit still matters.
Wyoming has a strong hunting-dog community, and there are good trainers throughout the state.
We don’t expect every Wyoming owner to drive past a closer trainer simply because our kennel is in Utah. Training style, communication, experience, program structure, and the kind of dog being trained all matter.
We’ve had Wyoming clients decide Utah Bird Dog Training was the right fit even when other options were closer. The program has been proven for nearly 20 years, and Tyce Erickson is well respected among hunters and trainers for practical field work — that’s often the reason someone will cross a state line.
Our programs are built around consistent daily work, real field training, live birds when appropriate, and enough time to build meaningful progress rather than rushing a dog through a short stay. For some owners, that fit is worth the drive.
Programs
The same programs Wyoming dogs go through.
Hunting programs start at 6 months. All programs are $1,250 per month. Boarding during the stay is included. Food is not. Full details, inclusions, and requirements are on Training.
Retriever Training
Foundation is about 4 months. Complete is about 7–8 months total and includes the Foundation work. Built for waterfowl hunters who want a dog they can trust on land and water. We will cross-train for upland work when the breed and the owner’s goals allow it.
Pointing Dog Training
Basic is about 2 months. Foundation is about 4 months. Built for upland hunters who want a dog that hunts, points, and is under control when a bird goes up. We work in real cover and shoot birds over the dog.
Obedience Training
Two months to build a dog you can live with. Family dogs and hunting dogs. Boarding included. Your dog doesn’t need to hunt to come through this program.
Shed / Antler Training
Nose work for dogs that will hunt sheds. Same monthly tuition and boarding as the other programs.
The stay
$1,250 a month, boarding included
Training is $1,250 per month. Boarding during the stay is included. A $100 deposit reserves a spot and applies to the first month.
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What’s included
Training and boarding. We send a photo and short training update approximately every other week. Pay online.
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Food
Bring one large bag per month, or use our Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 feeding program for $75 / month.
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Live birds (upland)
Plan on about $450 for the birds we shoot over your dog in training. Dead-bird work with pheasants, ducks, and chukar is included.
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Pickup
Plan to spend an hour or two working with us and your dog. We’ll explain the commands and handling system before you head home. After-care is available for the life of the dog.
Optional add-ons while they’re here: Conditioned Athlete ($250 / month), Tracking ($275 one time), and trainer-watched play ($250 / month). Details are on Training.
Coming from Wyoming
One trip down. One trip back.
Wyoming is a large state. Wherever you’re coming from, drop-off is in Payson — not a meeting point in Wyoming.
Because the dog stays for weeks or months, you make one trip for drop-off and one trip for pickup. You do not need to visit during the stay.
Standard drop-off and pickup are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. If a weekday is impossible, weekend drop-off is $100 and weekend pickup is $200.
Winter training
Hunting season shows you what needs work.
A full hunting season has a way of exposing weaknesses that aren’t obvious during backyard training.
Maybe your retriever breaks, struggles with blinds, ignores the whistle, or needs better steadiness. Maybe your pointing dog bumps birds, ranges without enough control, needs more bird exposure, or isn’t reliable enough around gunfire.
Winter can be an excellent time to address those problems. Instead of giving up part of next hunting season, the dog can spend December, January, or February getting consistent professional work while you still have spring and summer ahead to maintain the training.
The two-month obedience program can also be a good fit for families who want to use the quieter winter months for a substantial block of training.
Utah Bird Dog Training
Experience matters more than a state line.
Utah Bird Dog Training has been training hunting dogs for nearly 20 years. Tyce Erickson is well known in the hunting-dog world for straightforward field work and a program hunters actually use.
We’ve worked with retrievers, pointing breeds, family hunting dogs, and dogs at very different stages of development. Some Wyoming owners have trainers much closer to home and still send the dog because our training approach and program structure are the fit they’re looking for.
We’re not trying to be the closest trainer to every Wyoming hunter. We’re trying to be the right trainer for the dog and owner who fit our program.
Questions
Wyoming Bird Dog Training FAQs
Do you have a Wyoming location?
No. Utah Bird Dog Training does not have a Wyoming location. Training takes place at the established kennel in Payson, Utah. Wyoming clients bring their dogs here for drop-off and return to Payson for pickup.
Do you train hunting dogs from Wyoming?
Yes. A meaningful number of Wyoming clients bring retrievers, pointing dogs, and other hunting dogs to our Payson kennel for professional training.
Do you pick up or drop off dogs in Wyoming?
No. We do not pick up, drop off, or transport dogs in Wyoming. Owners bring the dog to Payson for drop-off and return to Payson when the program is finished.
How far is Utah Bird Dog Training from Wyoming?
It depends on where you live. Wyoming is a large state, so the drive to Payson varies. Because most hunting-dog programs involve an extended stay, clients generally make one trip for drop-off and one trip for pickup rather than traveling for weekly lessons.
Why choose a Utah trainer when Wyoming has bird dog trainers?
Wyoming has a strong hunting-dog community and several training options. Some owners still choose UTBDT because they prefer our training philosophy, program structure, experience, communication, or the specific type of training their dog needs. The program has been proven for nearly 20 years, and Tyce Erickson is well known among hunters and trainers for practical field work.
How long will my hunting dog stay?
Training length depends on the dog’s age, experience, temperament, and goals. Retriever Foundation is about 4 months. Retriever Complete is about 7–8 months total and includes the Foundation work. Pointing Basic is about 2 months. Pointing Foundation is about 4 months. Hunting programs start at 6 months of age.
Is boarding included?
Yes. Boarding is included in the $1,250 monthly training tuition. Food is not included. Bring one large bag of food per month, or use our Purina Pro Plan Sport feeding program for $75 / month. Live birds, when needed for upland work, are additional — plan on about $450.
Do I need to visit during training?
No. We provide periodic updates during the stay. At pickup, we’ll work with you and your dog so you understand the commands and handling system before heading home.
Do you offer obedience training for Wyoming dogs that don’t hunt?
Yes. Our two-month obedience-only board-and-train program is available for companion dogs as well as hunting dogs. More detail is on Obedience Training.
How long is the obedience program?
The obedience-only program is 2 months. Hunting-dog programs vary depending on the dog and training goals.