For a young dog to gain confidence in his own hunting ability and his human partner takes time. A successful dog trainer must possess the patience needed to bring out the best in each dog. As training progresses the confidence of the dog will strengthen and will be reflected in his field performance. With consistency, patience and hard work most dogs will begin to understand what is expected of them. Since most dogs exhibit a genuine desire to please, a good hunting companion or field trial competitor is developed. At Davis Kennels every dog is trained to be a champion whether the dog is a field trial competitor or a hunting companion. Colvin and Mazie hope every dog returns to their owner meeting their needs and exceeding their expectations.

Colvin believes in keeping his dogs in top shape. With a consistent conditioning regimen, the dogs stay ready for trial competition or a day in the hunting field. “If a dog is tired he can not concentrate on finding game.”

The Davis’s believe a quality program addresses the mental and physical needs of each dog. Their accomplishments can be contributed not only to good training methods, but to their complete dog care program. Meeting a dog’s nutritional needs and physical health are crucial in making the program work. Dogs are provided with the best diet for performance dogs — Purina Pro Plan Performance dog food for adult dogs and Purina Puppy Chow for the youngsters. Although the cost in dollars may be a bit higher than some other dog feeds on the market, the nutritional benefits gained are far greater than the price and that’s a good investment.

Having good veterinarians on hand is also an important part of a quality training program. The Davis’s have long standing associations with several excellent veterinarians including Dr. Joe Maddox of Troy, Alabama, Dr. William Watson of Greenville, Alabama and Dr. Wesley Dunn of Montgomery, Alabama as well as Dr. Jeff Gervin and Dr. Haley Gervin who are in the towns local to their summer camp. These veterinarians go above and beyond the call of duty for the animals and their owners.

Colvin and Mazie schedule is about the same each year. They begin with the yard working of young dogs in April. These young dogs are then evaluated as to whether they should go north for further training. They are prospects for Open and Amateur field trials as well as personal gun dogs. A daily roading program is maintained for the older dogs to keep them in shape and ready for the summer work in Manitoba.

The Davis’s leave for the northern prairies in early July then return to Alabama around the first of October. There is no better place for working dogs than the prairies in the summer. The days are long, the game plentiful and the country roomy with very pleasant temperatures which allow for all day working. Even young dogs are taken as exposure to wild birds and training can never be started too early.

Please >contact Colvin or Mazie for more information about placing a dog with them for gundog training or field trial trianing and handling.