Huey,
I know a few trainers, but I need to ask the same question they will ask:
What do you want your dog to do? "Hunt pheasants" is not a specific enough answer.
Guns dog training can be broken down into two main types, "started" and "finished". With either type, yard training (obedience training to some) is a separate issue. A started dog will find and point birds, a finished dog will find and point, flush, and be steady to wing and shot. Some folks also add retrieving to �finished�, but not all when we�re talking pointers. A finished dog may do all these things, but not come when he�s called since that is part of yard training. If that sounds a little weird to you, you�re not alone.
There�s a lot of latitude in this for sure. An intelligent dog, versus a bonehead, can gain a lot from being started because they pick up more in the process. Some started dogs are actually more �hunty� than finished dogs. For sure, a yard trained and started dog will be a lot more value in the field than a finished dog that runs all over creation.
�Starting� can cost from $500-$1,000 plus boarding if the dog need to be shipped off. Most trainers will work the dog for 2-weeks to a month. There are no guarantees, since it�s not their dog or their bloodline (which is a good reason to buy a dog from a breeder/trainer). �Finishing� can cost $2,000 on up, depending on what you want and the capabilities of the trainer � does he have his own birds, fields, facilities, etc. A good pro trainer will go the extra mile with your dog because the final product and your satisfaction is his only advertising. As a result, it's not cheap.
The best thing to do is write up the ol� list. What do you want your dog to do? If you�re new to pointers, I�ll be happy to help you come up with the list and work through some pricing. Just remember, it�s important to keep yard training separate. It would cost a fortune for a gun dog trainer to handle that aspect, and it�s something you�ll have to learn to keep the dog on track for your years together. I�ve never known a dog that forgot how to hunt, but I�ve know a ton that forget their yard training.
