About Utah Bird Dog Training

Gun dog training in Payson

Utah Bird Dog Training is a Payson kennel that trains retrievers, pointing dogs and family dogs for hunters and families who want a dog that is capable in the field and easy to live with at home. Tyce Erickson is the owner and head trainer, with nearly 20 years training bird dogs. He is an American Pointing Lab Association member and judge, and has titled dogs from Junior through Master and Grand Master in APLA and AKC hunt tests. Trainers Ian Norton (since 2016) and Orlyn Fenn (since 2023) work alongside him.

Programs

All board-and-train programs are $1,250 per month, with boarding included and food extra. Retriever training runs about four months for the Foundation level and seven to eight months for the Complete level, covering force fetch, marks, blinds and handling on land and water. Pointing dog training offers a two-month Basic and a four-month Foundation program with real shooting over the dog. The two-month obedience board and train covers recall, heel, place, leash manners, impulse control and e-collar conditioning, and there is shed and antler training. Add-ons include conditioning ($250 per month), tracking ($275) and trainer-watched play. Boarding for trained dogs is $25 a day.

What owners say

One client wrote: "Alex is first class in the field, in the blind, and at heel in the park with no leash."

What to ask

Ask about current availability, since a $100 deposit holds a spot.