“My goal is to teach owners the secrets that dog trainers know.” Chris states, “I want participants to see their dog the same way I do.”

Chris Hamer, M.S. has been training gundogs and their owners since 1980. Blending formal education in animal behavior with 23 years of practical experience, Chris brings a refreshing and practical approach to enhancing the dog/owner relationship.

In 1985 she founded Wyndhaven Kennels launching her gundog program into full swing. At the new facility, with the assistance of two other trainers, Chris trained over 50 dogs and their owners each day. She actively competed in NAHRA and AKC hunt tests and field trials successfully placing dogs at all levels.

Chris is known for her versatility-training retriever, flushing and pointing dog breeds. She is able to change training methods to best-fit techniques for the individual canine personality. Her focus is on the practical and in helping owners achieve the desired outcome with their dogs.

In the early 90’s, Chris added DogSense Seminars to her program schedule. The two-day seminars are designed to teach pet owners how to train their individual dogs. Unlike conventional dog training classes, Chris focuses on educating owners, providing them with behavior and learning theory. She stresses that each dog is an individual and guides owners through determining what method or methods of training might best fit their needs and the personality type of their dog. Her goal is to equip the owners with the knowledge and skill needed for not only their current dog but also giving them techniques to design a training program for any future dogs.

In the spring of 2002, the DogSense Interactive cd-rom was released. Unlike conventional training books, DogSense brings the informative text to life with 97 “mini-movies” showing dog owners how to teach their dogs the obedience principles. Like the two-day seminar, the program is geared toward educating owners.

In addition to obedience seminars, Chris does one-day gundog training programs where topics can be catered to groups’ specific needs. Some considerations might be the breeds and ages and experience of the dogs, the owners experience, available grounds, goals of the participants, problems and concerns that need to be addressed before further training (issues such as hard mouth or gun sensitivity).

Testimonials

“In a few minutes, Chris showed us a way to correct a problem I’ve been having with my dog for years! The solution was so simple I couldn’t believe that no one had been able to fix the problem before.” Karen Mingo, Salt Lake City, Utah ”Chris Hamer has given several DogSense and gundog seminars in the Jackson Hole area and every one of them were worth more than I paid. Her seminars are packed with information and fun! I highly recommend any seminar Chris gives!” Kathy Greger, professional dog trainer, Jackson Hole Wyoming. “If you can only go to one gundog seminar this year, make it one of Chris’s!” Joanne Holden, Appalachia State University, Boone North Carolina. “Chris’s seminar was wonderful! I came with questions and left with the answers. I would recommend it to anyone that wants a well-trained hunting dog.” Don and Margaret Hevel, sports enthusiasts, Salmon Idaho