About lone sage bird dogs llc

Upland bird dogs from the Treasure Valley

Lone Sage Bird Dogs LLC is a Caldwell-based upland bird dog trainer offering premium, personalized training for pointing dogs. Owner Joshua Wolff divides his time between Idaho's Treasure Valley and other parts of the West, and describes the rugged canyons out his back door as a proving ground for dogs and hunters.

Philosophy

The approach starts with proven genetics, then gun conditioning and an introduction to handling in the field. In a pup's rookie season the goal is exposure to as many types of wild birds across as many terrains as possible, and birds are shot only over dogs that pointed them. Unlike many conventional programs, the steadiness or breaking process begins only once the pup is standing wild coveys on its own without a whoa command, which the trainer says keeps the dog's style and intensity and shortens the breaking process.

The trainer

Joshua says most of his free time over the past 20 years went to chasing wild birds alongside top dog men who taught him the craft, and he now helps new handlers coming up. He also works as a professional coach for first responders and veterans.

What to ask

Ask about rates, program length and when training sessions take place.