Private lessons are one hour long, one-on-one session, and can cover puppy training, behavioral problems (dog aggression, lack of socialization, house training, etc.), or basic obedience training.
Boarding School
Boarding school involves a two to six-month program of intense training for clients who lack the time or experience to train their own dog or for specialized training (gun dogs, search & rescue dogs, etc.). Training can include behavior modification (dog aggression, lack of socialization, house training, etc.) and basic obedience training.
Behavior Modification
Training to correct dog aggression, lack of socialization, house training, etc. and basic obedience training.
Obedience Titles
Advanced training.
Conformation
Kate trains and handles all breeds toward show ring championships.
Gun Dog
Started gun dog training involves three to four months of training including basic obedience, off-leash control, response to whistle commands, hold, and trained retrieve with bumpers and birds for use with ducks and upland game.
Search Dog Training
Search dog training involves approximately six months of training before being paired with a fireman including basic obedience, direction control, and search techniques with rubble pile experience.
Classes
Class emphasis is placed on positive reinforcement and understanding rather than force--the goal being to replace bad behavior with good, with both the dog and the handler enjoying the process. Pluis Davern teaches class levels beginning through advanced at the Del Monte Kennel Club. Kate Davern teaches Puppy Kindergarten, beginning, and intermediate classes at San Martin Vet.
Puppy Kindergarten
Puppy class is for puppies 12 weeks through 20 weeks of age at the beginning of class.
Beginning
Beginning class is a seven-week course for dogs five months and older. It covers the five basic commands (heel, sit, down, stay, & come), figure eight, stand/stay, and the finish (return to the heel position). Dog aggression, jumping up, and other behavior problems are covered as well.
Intermediate
Intermediate class is a seven-week course for dogs having completed the beginning class. It covers a review of the five basic commands (heel, sit, down, stay, & come), figure 8, stand/stay, and the finish (return to the heel position). An emphasis on the down position in a number of different exercises increases your dog's listening skills, response time & desire to both learn and please you. The off-leash concept is introduced through doing distance exercises (30 ft) such as stays and recalls with a dropped leash as well as dropped-leash heeling.
Advanced
Training for obedience titles.
Breeding
Sussex Spaniels
Sussex Spaniels by Pluis Davern.
Poppyhill Vizslas
Poppyhill Vizslas is a partnership with Pluis Davern.
DreamRiver Labradors
DreamRiver Labradors News: Our spotlight dam, Cornerstone Split Decision, has been bred to sire, Devonshire Blackthorn Saffron, and has a litter due in early 2006. DreamRiver Labradors is a partnership, between Kate Davern and Katie Williams, devoted to preserving the all-purpose Labrador Retriever in:
Family Companionship
Hunting
Obedience
Conformation
Client Testimonials
Lee & Marla
Roxanne is so calm & sweet. She is wonderful with kids, too!
Gary & Joy
Magic only chews things that begin with the letter 'a:' a chair, a dresser, a brush, etc.
John & Joy
Jordan has filled our empty nest! She is very intelligent and has a non-stop personality. Every time we walk her people stop us to tell us how beautiful she is.
Katie
Penny is a beautiful puppy in every way; she is my best friend!
Abe, Janine, & Natalie
Rosie has the temperment of an angel! She loves children, especially our two-year-old daughter, and brings humor into our home with her antics. While on our daily walk, she receives compliments on her beauty and style.
Boarding
Boarding
Long and short-term boarding at Sundowners Kennel is available by reservation.
Info
National Disaster Search Dog Foundation
1.888.646.1242, www.SearchDogsUSA.com.
The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is the nation's leading canine disaster search training organization
we provide trained search dogs to firefighters and other professional handlers--at no cost to the handler. Our leadership flows from our core strengths--finding the dogs that fit our profile; nurturing the young dogs by our short-term families; training the adolescent dogs in disaster search at Sundowners Kennel and pairing them with professionals who are first responders at disaster sites. Search dog training involves approximately six months of training before being paired with a fireman including basic obedience, direction control, and search techniques with rubble pile experience.
Sundowners Kennel is located on 4 + acres at the base of Hecker Pass in Gilroy. With multiple large outdoor exercise areas for dogs to play or lay in the sun, and temperature controlled buildings.
Sundowners is known nationwide for the search dogs and handlers we train for the Search Dog Foundation. We train family companions to be well behaved through private lessons and boarding school options. Sundowners also specializes in Gundog training for all Retrievers, Spaniels and Pointers. Agility training is also available. If you aren't looking for training, we offer boarding and bathing for your pets as well.