Learning Working Certificate & Junior Hunt Workshop

We are very excited to announce this highly valuable spring hunting dog workshop led by Yvonne Dyck!

This workshop is designed to prepare handlers for CKC Working Certificate and Junior Hunt test. Spaces are limited.

Dates: April 18 & 19, 2026. This is a two-day seminar - Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am to 3:30pm.

Location: Near Esterhazy, SK

Investment: Working Spots $220, Audit Spots $80 (includes lunch both days) 50% depsoit required to hold your spot.

About the Instructor:

Yvonne Dyck has been active in retriever training and competing in dog sports for many years. She breeds Labrador Retrievers under the Biscay Labradors kennel name with her mother, Pauline Gaudette, who is a passionate retriever enthusiast. One half of this dynamic duo, Yvonne, will be joining us for a workshop this spring! Yvonne has successfully trained and titled several dogs in CKC Working Certificate tests and CKC Junior Hunt tests. She is a judge for all WC levels and JH level, as well as a Canine Good Neighbour evaluator and long-time dog training instructor. She is also an active member of the Saskatoon Retriever Club and the Regina Retriever Club.

What to Expect:

Day 1: Classroom portion, drills, lunch break, mock test, drills

Day 2: Drills, mock test, lunch break, classroom portion, drills

Dress for the weather! Most of your time will be spent outdoors.

What to Bring:

• Notepad and pen for notes and to keep track of questions throughout,

• Appropriate clothes for the weather,

• Food rewards and/or the dog's meal and dish,

• Toy reward if your dog prefers,

• Collar,

• Leash,

• Long-line,

• Training equipment you'd like to use:

  • whistle

  • duck calls

  • preferred bumpers

  • holding blind

Eligible Dogs:

Participant dogs should be at such a level of training that we are not spending all our time troubleshooting bad habits. Some examples of good training to have would be:

• Stay,

• Recall,

• Holding an object (toy, dumbbell, or bumper) while moving,

• Quiet and safe in a crate/vehicle,

• Walk nicely on leash,

• Participant dogs should be friendly or neutral with other dogs and people.

Working seats will be reserved for dogs that are CKC or PEN registered and are eligible to participate in Working Certificate and Hunt Tests. Find out more about CKC and PEN registration here: https://www.ckc.ca/en/News/2017/January/How-to-Register-Your-Dog-to-Enter-CKC-Events.

Eligible breeds include:

• All retrievers 

  • Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

  • Curly-coated Retrievers

  • Flat-coated Retrievers

  • Golden Retrievers

  • Labrador Retrievers

  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

• Barbets

• Irish Water Spaniels

• Standard Poodles

• Airedale Terriers

Please message us to confirm your dog's eligibility if you are unsure.

Other Important Notes and Requirements:

• Participant dogs must be free of communicable diseases. Retrieving involves some sharing of equipment and spaces, so all dogs must be healthy and non-contagious.

• No video or sound recording of any portion of the workshop. Photographs are okay.

• Spots will not be held without a 50% non-refundable deposit; full payment is due by April 18, 2026.

• Refunds will not be given for absent handlers or dogs, or for handlers or dogs that are found to not be eligible to participate in CKC Working Certificate or Hunt Test trials, or for dogs or handlers who are asked to leave for any reason(s).

• In the event of cancellation due to extreme weather, all spots will be refunded, and we will try to reschedule.

• All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver acknowledging and accepting the risks associated with this event.

• There will be no access to the properties utilized outside of the dates and times of this seminar.

• There are multiple accommodations available in Esterhazy for those of you who would like to stay nearby. If you have questions about them, please reach out to us!

• After registering, you'll get an email from rangeroadretriever@gmail.com. If you do not receive an email within 24 hrs, please reach out to ensure we received your registration submission.

REGISTER HERE or email rangeroadretriever@gmail.com