Submitted by: Jim Rice on Apr 22, 2008
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - THE RESOURCES AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
South Coast Region - Field Office
4665 Lampson Avenue, Suite C
Los Alamitos, California 90720 (562) 342-7147
August 7, 2003
To Whom It May Concern
Let it be known that Mr. Jim Rice has been assisting the State of California, Department of Fish and Game (DFG) in its Game Bird Heritage Program (GBH) in southern California for 5 years. His professionalism and knowledge in the training and handling of dogs has been an enormous help to the program in its efforts to increase upland game bird hunting opportunities for the public.
Jim has a genuine ability to train a variety of dogs, leading to enhanced participation and hunting experiences for the youngest of hunters to seniors. His ability to instill the values of safety and ethics are unsurpassed.
A multitude of dogs participating in southern California?s GBH hunts have gone through Jim?s training academy, and they have proven to be a tremendous boon to the handler and our program.
I encourage other agencies, organizations, and clubs to utilize Jim?s skills in the training and handling of hunting dogs. I consider him to be one of the leaders in this sport on the West Coast.
Sincerely,
Scott R. Sewell
Wildlife Habitat Assistant I
Game Bird Heritage & Wildlife Outreach Programs
Submitted by: Jim Rice on Apr 22, 2008
Jim Rice's dedication to the advancement of professional and competitive dog training has truly made our Spinone Italiano an avid hunter. He truly understood our dog's developmental and behavioral characteristics and gave my husband and me insights into working with this special breed.
Thanks to Jim's technique of "Train the Trainer.” Our dog reached higher goals the we could have ever expected. With Jim's help our dog completed her, Junior and Senior hunt tests titles without flaw, before the age of 18 months.
By 22 months she has completed her AKC Master Hunt title. Besides being incredibly knowledgeable and professional. Jim was a pleasure to work with, consistently took time to explain, the right way to accomplish each goal set.
We would strongly recommend his services to anyone interested in have a well-trained hunting companion.
Ellen and Doug Kincaid
Submitted by: Jim Rice on Apr 22, 2008
For months we trained our little rocket dog "Rusty" to hold steady to wing and shot but he was struggling with his retrieves.
Sometimes they were outstanding retrieves direct to "hand" and other times Rusty would pick up the bird and bring it half way back or all the way back and drop it a foot or so away. After evaluating our dog and what we were expecting of our Brittney, Jim recommended we force break the dog to retrieve.
What a difference... Rusty came back to us a changed dog. His retrieves are outstanding and to hand. Direct to the bird and direct back to us... no hesitation. Jim used his many years of experience, firmness and compassion in converting Rusty to a retrieving machine.
Thanks Jim for preparing out dog for his Masters title!
Ed and Linda Wagher
Lancaster, CA
Submitted by: Jim Rice on Apr 22, 2008
February 19, 2008
Dear Jim,
Thank you so much for working with me and my Pointers, Arnold and Peyton, in preparing for AKC hunting test.
Arnold, Ch Cumbrian Governor, completed his AKC Master Hunter title on February 16, 2008. Peyton, Ch Cumbrian Phantasm, completed her AKC Senior Hunter title on the same day. I could not have qualified with the dogs so quickly and consistently without your kind advice and guidance.
Arnold passed six of the eight master hunter tests that he attempted. Peyton passed four of the six senior hunter tests that she attempted. I attribute that success rate to your training methods in preparing the dogs for the tests, and your help in teaching me effective test handling techniques.
Both of the dogs will begin competitive obedience training later this spring. I plan to hunt them next season. I hope you will allow us to come out occasionally to train in the field with you to keep their hunting skills sharp.
Again, thank you so much for accepting my dogs and me into your training program and for helping us so much to achieve their senior and master hunter titles.
Sincerely,
Nancy D. Rapoport