Hunting New Mexico Hunting New Mexico

Year-Round Gun Dog Training for You and Your Hunting Companion

At La Joya Valley Ranch, we don’t just train dogs—we train gun dog teams. Whether you’re starting with a pup or working with a mature dog, our gun dog training program is designed to turn your dog into a dependable, responsive field partner who hunts with you, not for you.

📞 Call us at (505) 357-3082 to discuss the best training format for your dog and goals.

Developed and led by Eric Watson, our program is grounded in experience, consistency, and respect for the dog-handler bond. We offer year-round training over live birds, utilizing proven techniques to help both dogs and handlers build confidence, skill, and communication in real hunting environments.

If you're ready to take your upland bird or waterfowl dog to the next level—or you're starting from the beginning—we have a structured, humane, and highly effective program to guide you both.

Why Choose La Joya Valley Ranch for Waterfowl Hunting in New Mexico?

Why Choose La Joya Valley Ranch for Gun Dog Training?

1. We Train the Team – You and Your Dog

Our program isn't just about obedience or mechanical behavior. It's about building a strong, functional relationship between the dog and handler. We involve the handler throughout the training process, ensuring that once your dog leaves our program, you’ll both know how to work together efficiently in the field.

This team-based philosophy is what sets us apart:

  • We help handlers understand body language, timing, and correction.
  • We create calm, confident dogs that respond to clear cues.
  • We avoid over-dependence—your dog won’t only listen to the trainer; they’ll listen to you.

2. Gentle, Results-Focused Methods

We are soft-handed trainers. That means we use positive reinforcement, consistent expectations, and structured environments. While we do incorporate training collars when appropriate, we do not use harsh corrections or punitive techniques.

Our approach results in dogs that are:

  • Happy, eager to hunt, and well-behaved.
  • Responsive and focused, without fear or hesitation.
  • Emotionally balanced, with strong drive and discipline.

3. All Gun Dog Breeds Welcome

Our program is built for pointing, flushing, and retrieving breeds, including but not limited to:

  • German Shorthaired Pointers
  • Labrador Retrievers
  • English Setters
  • Brittany Spaniels
  • Vizslas
  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffons
  • Springer Spaniels
  • Golden Retrievers
  • Weimaraners

If your dog is bred for the hunt—we’re ready to work with you.

4. Real Birds, Real Environment, Real Results

Our training happens in the same fields and environments where you'll hunt, using live birds year-round. This means:

  • Your dog will learn true field behavior, not just simulated drills.
  • We reinforce scent, sight, and steadiness with real-world scenarios.
  • You and your dog leave prepared to hunt—not just perform in a kennel.

What’s Included in Our Gun Dog Training Program?

The first step is evaluation of dog and handler(s)

Foundational Training for Young Dogs (16 Weeks & Up)

Foundational Training for Young Dogs (16 Weeks & Up)

  • Name recognition & recall
  • Basic obedience: sit, stay, heel, here
  • Crate training & home manners
  • Introduction to birds, gunfire, water, and fieldwork
  • Early tracking & flushing or pointing instincts
  • Confidence-building exercises

We strongly recommend beginning training around 16 weeks of age, but we also work with older dogs who may need to refine or restart their training.

Advanced Gun Dog Training

  • Steady to flush, shot, and fall
  • Retrieve to hand (land and water)
  • Blind retrieves and directional control
  • Field patterning & quartering
  • Honoring other dogs in the field
  • Exposure to multiple terrain types and bird species
  • Introduction to decoys and waterfowl setups

Handler Coaching

  • One-on-one training sessions with the owner
  • Learn how to:
    • Issue commands effectively
    • Read your dog’s signals
    • Reinforce good behavior
    • Correct without causing confusion or stress
  • Practice working as a team in field scenarios

    • Training Schedule & Program Options

    Training Availability

    We train year-round, allowing for flexible scheduling based on your dog’s needs and age. Birds are available at all times to ensure real-world exposure in every session.

    We currently have openings for new dogs and their handlers.

    🐾 In-Kennel Training

    • Your dog stays at the ranch for 2–4 weeks or longer.
    • Daily field sessions and obedience work.
    • Weekly progress updates.
    • Handler participation at pickup, including hands-on transition sessions.

    🐾 Handler Participation Training

    • The owner participates from day one, working directly with their dog.
    • Sessions typically scheduled weekly or bi-weekly.

    📞 Call us at (505) 357-3082 to discuss the best training format for your dog and goals.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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    What’s Included in Your Waterfowl Hunt?

    Facilities & Location

    La Joya Valley Ranch provides a top-tier training environment, including:

    • Large, diverse training fields
    • Bird pens & flight cages for controlled bird releases
    • Water access for retrieving and duck dog training

    We’re located in La Joya, New Mexico, easily accessible from Albuquerque and surrounding areas, with plenty of space for dogs to run, explore, and learn in realistic terrain.

    Book Your Gun Dog Training Spot Today

    If you're ready to transform your dog into a confident, reliable hunting companion—and become the handler they need—La Joya Valley Ranch is here to help. We’re currently accepting new dogs and handler teams, and spots fill quickly.

    📞 Call us at (505) 357-3082

    📩 Email us at kalimba@windstream.net

    Let’s turn you and your dog into a true hunting team—on the field, in the blind, and for seasons to come.