Who We Are

As of July 1, 2009, we closed our doors in California and moved to Sullivan, Ohio. We plan to reopen for training in Spring 2010.

Lockhard Bird Dog Training Center is a training center for bird hunters and their dogs. We train all breeds of retrievers and pointers.

We are a licensed kennel and require records of all vaccinations for dogs on site. If your dog will be boarding with us, be sure to bring hard copies of their vaccinations, including rabies and bordetella (kennel cough). We make sure your dog is well taken care of during his stay, and that includes making the best effort to keep him healthy.

Our Training Philosophy

Our goal is to bring out the natural desire in your dog to hunt birds, bring out your dog's natural instinct to hunt, and teach you to control your dog at the right time. With your dog under control, you and those around you will enjoy your hunting adventures.

Understanding that dogs mature at different rates, we introduce skills when they're ready for them. We also believe in bringing out the natural style of each dog, rather than making them conform to a certain standard.

In addition to a full training menu & boarding, we offer individual training sessions. All training is conducted on-site in our fields by trainer, Gary Stampfli, and not by an assistant.

We believe in non-stressful situations. Each training session ends on a positive note. E-collars are used for reinforcement of commands, not punishment, and as an extension of the leash. We use gentle discipline in a non-harsh environment.

Training your dog without an e-collar is optional and by request, however, training will take a bit longer, so plan accordingly.

We love dogs! Our dogs are our family and you can be sure that your dog will be treated like one of ours.

Obedience + Desire

Our Started / Finished Dog program brings out the natural desire in your dog, then instills the obedience needed to control your dog in intense situations. We teach basic field and whistle commands, introduce the e-collar, and expose them to lots of birds. Every dog matures at a different rate and we follow the pace of your dog to ensure their excitement and high desire level is maintained.

Our Family of Dogs

Our GSPs: Maudie, Millie, and Buster. Click for big.

We have 4 permanent dogs of our own and a varying amount that are ours until sold. Buster (Lockhard's namesake, Sir Buster Lockhard) is 8, Millie is 6, and Maude is 2. Our newest addition, Buckeye, is 9 months old.

Toby made his journey to the real bird dog heaven on March 25, 2009. We miss our buddy! His last hunt made his Daddy proud! Click for big and more (6 photos).

He is your friend, your parter, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

~ Unknown

The Trainer

Gary Stampfli learned to appreciate the instinct, desire, and discipline of bird dogs when he was 10, living in Susanville, CA, and hunting with his Dad. He has always had a dog for upland and waterfowl hunting. Working with pointers and retrievers over the past 6 years has taught him to listen and trust their instincts to help them become the best bird dog they can be.

Lockhard's Baron and gary end an exciting bird training session. Click for big.

Enjoying a particularly nice summer evening with the boys during their nightly run in the training field. click for big and more (6 photos).