About The Upland Academy
We don't believe in a one size fits all training regiment, EXPECT custom tailored training to meet your wants and expectations. While we use a standard that the dog adheres to, we create a smooth path to bring out all of it's abilities.
BEST IN CLASS RESOURCES.
Quality upland training requires quality birds. Healthy strong flying birds play a significant role in the genetic & behavioral development of bird dogs.
The most valuable resource available to a dog is a fair and understanding trainer. You can count on our transparency and honesty throughout their training process.
Meet The Team
Josh Tucker
Head Trainer and Owner
Josh Tucker
Head Trainer & Owner
Our Services
Puppy
One of the most important times of a bird dogs development is the puppy stage. Your puppy is learning, thinking and soaking up information. This is a great time to build a solid foundation for your dog's future! Daily live bird exposure, structure, honoring/backing and limited gun fire are all integral and included in this early start program. We accept puppies at 6 months after a brief consultation. This is the best pathway to our start to finish Complete Dog program.
Intermediate
Recommended program for our primarily wild bird hunters and or state release hunters. We get your dog handling , quartering, honoring/backing, holding birds steady to flush, exposed to gun fire and finding downed birds. Training Time varies by the dog's ability.
Wing and Shot
This is our most popular training program, as stated we teach your dog to stand on point after the flush and until gun fire. Honoring work is also part of the program. If you have young shooters, guide or do trials/ hunt testing this is for you! Generally a 2-3 month commitment, your dog will be standing tall and be the envy of your hunting buddies! This program is the gateway to our Complete Dog program.
Retrieve
Everyone wants a perfect straight to your hand retrieve! We offer this fetch program for dogs that won't retrieve at all or need polished up on their current retrieve work. Generally takes 8 weeks to a perfect delivery!
Complete Dog
This is our start to finish training program. We start with a foundational puppy session, ease in to the Wing and shot session, complete our retrieve program, followed by a smooth transition to perfectly Finished! Training Time varies per dog and the dog will have periodic home time.
Summer Specials
Cocker & Springer Summer Camp
Is your spaniel ready for field, water, and upland game?? If not, this camp is your Spaniels opportunity to be field ready by the start of season! We offer a low pressure high energy program for bird, water, and gun introduction! This program has shown to be very effective for upland hunting as well as Hunt tests. 2 week sessions ($500 each). Limited to 6 dogs per session. Reserve your spot today! Accepting dogs July 15th-Oct 15 2024.
Field Trials
As a lifelong field trial competitor, Josh brings unique insight to clientele interested in running on the national stage or simply leveling up their personal dogs for their first event.
Hunt Tests
With a recent explosion in hunt test popularity (e.g. AKC Masters, NAVHDA, VHDF, etc) we have tailored our approaches and grounds to meet many testing and training standards.
If interested in using grounds for chapter testing, please call Josh!
Wild Bird Hunting
This is what we all live for! Tuned up and in shape dogs put more birds in the bag.
Also, keeping dogs in tip top shape will keep you from coming home early or worse, a trip to the vets office.
Our Partners
Contact
Address
11 Lakecrest Ln. Hillsboro, IL 62049
Call or Text
(217)720-2901