Training Days
When & Where
Training Days are typically the first Saturday of each month from 7 or 8 am (check schedule for exact start) to 3:00pm at 345 LJ Ellis Lane, Lillington, NC 27546.
An e-mail will be sent to chapter members with specific information on the agenda for the day as well as bird order information if birds are available.
A list of 2024 training dates can be found under Calendar on this page. Members are encouraged to connect with each other to train outside of regularly scheduled training days as well.
What to Expect
Upon arrival at training day you should check in and immediately pick up your birds. Please have a bird bag or crate to keep them in during training day.
NAVHDA is built on volunteers, as such, each member will be relied upon to assist with the various activities of the day. Birds will be planted by the individual on-deck to run in the field, drags will completed the same way, other activities will be run in a similar fashion at the discretion of the chapter member running the event.
We were all beginners once, if you’re unsure of how to do something, whether volunteering or training, please ask. We’re more than happy to help.
Calendar
February: Training day February 9th, 8am start
March: Spring Test, March 1–2nd
April: No training day
May: Aims & Rules Clinic, May 17–18th
June: Training day, June 7th, 7am start
July: Training day, July 12th, 7am start
August: Training day, August 2nd, 7am start
September: Training day, September 13th, 7am start
October: Training day, October 4th, 8am start
November: Training day, November 11th, 8am start
December: Fall test, December 6–7th
March: Spring Test, March 1–2nd
April: No training day
May: Aims & Rules Clinic, May 17–18th
June: Training day, June 7th, 7am start
July: Training day, July 12th, 7am start
August: Training day, August 2nd, 7am start
September: Training day, September 13th, 7am start
October: Training day, October 4th, 8am start
November: Training day, November 11th, 8am start
December: Fall test, December 6–7th
Upcoming Aims and Rules Clinic
Tarheel NAVHDA is hosting an Aims and Rules Clinic in May.
The Aims & Rules Clinic is an educational tool developed by NAVHDA to help dog owners and handlers understand the testing system. The clinics are conducted by designated NAVHDA Senior Judges and Clinic Leaders. Aims & Rules Clinics cover a variety of topics over two days, including informal classroom style instruction on the NAVHDA philosophy, test mechanics, and the scoring system for each test.
Where: Rusty Guns Kennel Lodge
345 L J Ellis Lane, Lillington, NC 27546
When: Saturday, May 17th and Sunday, May 18th, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $130.00 (members and non-members)
To register, download the form below and send to Mike Darrow.
Who Should Attend?
- People with their first dog will see how other dogs work and gain insight into what their dog is doing and why. This will help to develop their pup’s talents and improve performance.
- Novice handlers will learn how NAVHDA evaluates versatile dogs, and thus will be better prepared to handle their dogs in a test.
- Experienced handlers will gain a deeper, more technical knowledge of how the team of dog and handler are judged.
- Breeders will learn what to look for in their breeding stock and their progeny, and how to use NAVHDA records obtained through our Search Test Records service for selective breeding.
- Aspiring NAVHDA Judges are required to attend an Aims & Rules Clinic and is one of the first steps in our Apprentice Judge Program.