 Dave
Troup
My name is Dave Troup. My wife Deb and I
reside in Goshen Indiana which is just south of the Michigan
border, I have worked as a senior manufacturing engineer for
a major corporation for 25+ years in the Northern Indiana area.
In the fall of 2001 I was searching for
that perfect hunting companion, a dog that would want to make
my friends put their
dogs back in the truck. I have had hunting dogs for the better
part of my life, but this was to be my first personal pointing
dog. I did my homework on the Internet, and checked in with
people who knew who was hot in the pointing dog world. My search
led
me to Steve Ries and Top Gun Kennel. I then purchased my first
personal pointing dog and life as I knew it changed. To make
a long story short Sadie accomplished NAVHDA Natural Ability
prize 2 at 10 months, AKC Junior Hunter title at one year.
I then trained her to the senior level but was not having any
luck
moving her towards a Master Title which is what I was looking
for. I decided to send her out to the Top Gun Training team
to be finished. Sadie finished the AKC Master Hunter title at
23
months of age in 6 of 7 attempts. At that point I decided I
had to be able to take my self to that level of training and
handling.
After attending numerous training seminars, and having the
privilege of spending some quality time with our good friends
the Ries
family and the Top Gun Team, I finished my 1st master dog Jack.
I have since trained and put Senior and
Master titles on a number of personal as well as client owned
dogs. In 2007 I also
became
an AKC hunt test judge for Jr, Sr and Master tests, which
has provided me with a whole different aspect of the testing
process.
All 5 of our kennel's personal dogs have AKC Master Hunter
Titles. We have very high expectations, and our dogs have the
ability
and breeding to deliver just that. I have learned that all
dogs are different and you have to be able to read the situation
then
adjust your training accordingly. One thing is for sure there
is no short cuts. Dog training is like building a house.
You can't skip steps and expect to achieve the results you desire.
All the pieces, especially a good foundation, need to be
in
place for the dog and handler to succeed. A well trained dog
generally
makes much fewer mistakes than the handler.
Deb. and I live in
the country, and have numerous training grounds available close
to home. Also we have access to clean ponds for water work
in season, and a steady supply of training birds available year
round. Our newer Kennel facilities have 6 indoor kennels that
are heated, all with connecting outdoor runs. Along with this
we have a fenced in run area for exercise and socialization
with
the other dogs at our kennel. We only take in a couple of dogs
at a time to make sure he or she gets the attention they need
to achieve our goals. Here we have higher expectations than
the average kennel. All dogs who come to our kennel must have
up
to date vaccination records for your protection as well as
ours.
We can start your young dog, or take your
dog to the AKC master
level. We also do fall tune ups to get your hunting companion
in mental and physical shape for the upcoming hunting season.
We teach basic obedience, here, heel, set, Whoa, Kennel,
Honoring, and basic tracking if the dog is to be NAVHDA tested.
All dogs
we finish are taken thru the trained retrieve process, 100%
retrieving from land and water. We also handle client dogs
towards AKC hunt
test titles. We normally travel to 5 - 6 states for spring
and fall test seasons.
Our kennel participates in AKC hunt tests,
NAVHDA tests, NASTRA trials and an occasional, NBDCA or UFTA
field trial. We also support Pheasants Forever events. But
most of all we participate in our obsession with wild bird hunting.
Well trained dogs and some good friends trying to out smart
some
educated roosters is what makes it all worth while! The point
your dog slammed this morning will be as memorable as when
your best friend missed the easy shot.
Dave Troup
17892 CR# 42
Goshen, Indiana 46526
(574) 831-6162
dtroup@bnin.net
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