Field Foundations:
Start Your Pointing Dog’s Hunting Journey With Confidence

An online, self-paced course for beginners ready to enter the world of hunt tests and field trials.

You’ve got a bird dog. Now what?

Whether you have a new puppy or a dog who's a little older, getting started with hunt tests, field trials, or NAVHDA can feel overwhelming—especially if you’ve never done this before.

Field Foundations is going to change that.

This self-directed online course is your step-by-step guide to giving your dog the right foundation in the field — no experienced required.
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Who This Course is For

  • Pointing dog owners starting from scratch
  • People who are brand new to bird dog sports
  • People who have never hunted before
  • Anyone curious about AKC Junior Hunter tests, AKC Puppy/Derby stakes, or the NAVHDA Natural Ability test

What You'll Learn

  • How to get started — even with zero hunting experience
  • Where to find places to train, acquire birds, and find local mentors
  • Introducing birds: when and how to expose your dog
  • Must-have gear and key behaviors to work on
  • Acclimating your dog to gunfire properly
  • A detailed breakdown of AKC hunting tests, AKC field trials, and NAVHDA, as well as an overview of other organizations

By the end of this course, you’ll:

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Know how to effectively introduce your dog to birds
Feel more confident about how to train, what gear you need, and where to look for help
Understand what it takes to enter beginner-level tests and trials
Be empowered to take the first step in your dog’s development as a hunting dog

What Past Participants are Saying:

“Terry Ann’s Field Foundations coaching calls came at the perfect time for me! As I embarked on my journey into the gundog world with my puppy, I found myself overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information available online. Securing a spot in the coaching program was a game-changer—it provided a supportive environment where I could ask questions without hesitation, even as a complete beginner. I gained valuable insights not only from Terry Ann but also from the experiences shared by others in the group. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in field trials or hunting tests with their dog.”
Michelle N.
“I got my dog with the intention of hunting with him. I quickly was intimidated by the terminology and different organizations and, not having a mentor, never got around to truly pursuing it. Terry Ann’s course helped demystify the sports and I now feel capable of training on my own.”
Kourtni
“I really appreciated the focus on adapting hunting dog training to real-life situations (suburbs, limited bird availability, etc) I also found it very reassuring that Terry Ann focused on building a relationship with your dog. The fact that she and her own Vizsla, Zara, had spent YEARS learning the process really took the pressure that I felt to work towards a ‘finish line’. My goal is to spend time with my dog doing something we both love.”
Michelle W.

Ready to get started?

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR

Terry Ann Fernando

Terry Ann Fernando is a coach, podcaster, author, and avid competitor in the world of pointing dog sports. She hosts The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast, which explores hunting dog events for pointing breeds. Her journey began with Zara, her now 11-year-old Vizsla, who started out as a family pet and went on to become an AKC Master Hunter, NAVHDA Versatile Champion, and a field trial dog with multiple placements. Terry Ann remembers how hard it was to find clear, helpful guidance when she started out, which is why she’s passionate about making the process easier for others. She actively competes in hunt tests, field trials, conformation, and other dog sports with her three dogs, and was recently approved as an AKC hunting test judge.
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