Training Overview
Testing is the foundation of NAVHDA’s mission to foster, promote, and improve the versatile hunting dog breeds in North America — responsible breeders use scores and other data from NAVHDA-sanctioned tests to support their breed through selective breeding. For example, a Natural Ability test can provide insight into a young dog’s inherent traits and talents, and later Utility test can provide insight into what that same dog is capable of becoming. Our training days are therefore structured around hunt tests.
Please visit the FAQ for additional details, but our objective is to help handlers learn to train and test their dogs on their own. At training days you will receive help and direction on each element of the Natural Ability training progression and, for more advanced pups and handlers, the Utility training outline. Training days are in no way a substitute for daily work with your pup, but they should provide you with jumping off points and guidance as you work with your pup on your own.
2026 TRAINING DAYs
April 11th - Mitchell property Location: 6488 Dallas Rd, New Plymouth, ID 83655
April 25th - Mitchell property Location: 6488 Dallas Rd, New Plymouth, ID 83655
Reminders:
Wear orange. Bring water, and either a tie out stake or kennel for your dog.
NA Handlers - bring waders for water work.
GD/UT Handlers - bring shotguns, preferably break open
If bringing a female in heat please let us know
Look for Club email for more information.
If you are not a member of Treasure Valley NAVHDA will need to join to receive email with additional information.
May 2nd - Training May 2nd: We have an exciting training lineup this weekend. We will be at George DeCosta's property located at 6430 Dallas Rd in New Plymouth ID. (A couple driveways up from Mitchell's) and starting at 8 am. Plan on arriving a few minutes early to help set up if you can. Please bring a folding chair and it will be cool in the morning. You DO NOT need to bring a dog unless you want to work on puppy swim or you are in "the Big Dog" group and working on Duck search. Duck search is not something you can just drop in on.
Look for club email for more information.
May 9th 8 a.m. - Mitchell property Location: 6488 Dallas Rd, New Plymouth, ID 83655
Reminders:
Wear orange. Bring water, and either a tie out stake or kennel for your dog.
NA Handlers - bring waders for water work.
GD/UT Handlers - bring shotguns, preferably break open
If bringing a female in heat please let us know
Look for Club email for more information.
If you are not a member of Treasure Valley NAVHDA will need to join to receive email with additional information.
Membership Reminder
Please remember that NAVHDA International requires that anyone participating in any chapter event (including, but not limited to, training days, seminars, and hunt tests) be a current member of NAVHDA International or signs a Release of Liability form at each event they attend.
You may join or renew your NAVHDA International membership here.
You may join or renew your local Chapter membership here.