I encourage all client's to come see the progress of their gun dog.
My monthly fee is $600.00 a month, in advance. Please bring a copy of dog's rabies shot, and any heartworm
medicine needed. Canadian clients please send a U. S. Postal Money Order only.
Call for references.
Neil Lessard
E-mail: stockleykennels@esva.net
E-mail: stockleykennels@verizon.net
Having trouble getting through with the ever increasing amount of spam emails
(one indication I did not get it is that I have not answered your email)
then please call 757 678 0966 and leave a message. We will return your call.
12-30-03 - Hello Neil and Judy, I don't know if you remember me but we purchased aa ESF pup
(we called Misty Morning Kate) from you just over 8 years ago. Kate was one of Queenie's pups. Sharon, my wife,
and I acquired our first computer and one of the web searches we did was on your kennel. What an extensive
website, hopefully you are proud of the work you put into this. It is an excellent site! Four years ago, my job had
taken me from Eastern Ontario to Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada. Unfortunately there are no field
trials close by so we spend our time either hunting grouse or on wild birds outside the hunting season. If you
recall Kate had began to lose her intensity on point but the wild birds have changed that. We try to get out 3 or
4 times a week on birds and Kate looks forward to it each and every time. She hasn't slowed down (she is almost
8 1/2 years old and is still in great shape - I can't believe it). We try to keep our jaunts between 1 to 1 1/2 hours
in duration because she has just recently showed signs of soreness in her right leg if we go longer. I've had her
into the vet but she has indicated its arthritis. As long as she flies for an hour or so I'm happy!! I know she is. I've
owned a number of dogs in my life and Kate has certainly been my favourite. I am sure her character and ability is a
result of your breeding program. Your website and having met and watched your handling of dogs is certainly a
testiment to the great work you have done and continue to do. I wanted to make this brief connection with you to let
you know what has gone on with one of your dogs. Larry Harbridge (Queen/Mac litter 1995)
(12-13-04) Dear Judy & Neil, It was great getting your Holiday greetings. Thank you.
Receiving it prompted me to think about what you were able to do with my dog and when I will be needing another
one. Some years ago, you trained my "Luke".
So you know, he is doing extremely well as a hunting dog. Unfortunately, he
just doesn't have enough style on point for field trialing and he doesn't
finish a half hour all that strongly. But he's got one outstanding nose and
is a natural backer.
He was quite wild when I delivered him to you. You really did wonders in
getting him to hunt under control better and to be steady on his birds. I
often hunt with men who bring their dogs. Luke is always the standout.
While theirs will bump birds and even catch some, Luke stays frozen on point
even when another dog may steal the point and pounce on the bird. My only
regret is not bringing him back to you for force break training (I'm getting
too lazy to fetch my own birds).
Luke is about 7 now, so it won't be that long before I will be contacting
you for another dog. The biggest question will be whether to get a pup, a
started dog or a finished one. When the time comes, I'll be sure to call
you first. Best regards, Gary Miller, Medford Lakes, N.J.
01-08-03 - POINTING SPRINGER - Just thought I would send you an update. First I'd like
to say thank you. I had Oscar out again the other day. He is doing great, he is pointing and retrieving like the
dogs you see on TV. He is not pointing like a setter or a pointer (starch), he gets scent and just stops and nothing
is moving but his tail (a mile a minute). He is holding on Whoa, and letting me walk past him for the flush, he is
not breaking point until the shooting is complete, almost as if he is watching and marking the bird down. At that
time he breaks, finds dead and brings it on back. After full praise he gives up the bird. He seems to be very soft
mouthed as well. The only bird he won't bring back is cock pheasants. He will mark them down and mouth them a
little but won't pick them up. (any suggestions?)
I will have to admit I was a little disappointed at first when I got him back (after five or six outings), I thought we
might have tried to do the impossible. But like you said one day he might just get it, and so far he's got it.
The preserve season really slows down up here around the end of February. Can you give me any pointers on
off season training, such as how often and what to do during a session in spring and summer. Do you think he
would benefit from coming back to you or should I just try and keep him tuned up? Thanks again, John Werkley,
Chaddsford, Pa.
12-04-02 - I have to tell you how customer friendly, thorough and impressive your product is.
You and Neil make a great team. Your patience when walking me through the puppy stages and knowledge of training
them is unmatched. As for Neil, he truely has a proven method. I still can't believe how much Gen learned in the
short time she was there for training. I figured she had a good capacity for learning, but nothing like that. - Will Ferrell,
Richmond, Va. (Kate/Blue litter 2002)
3-23-02 - I have to tell you about Jacks first" hunting trip". I brought him home from
you 2 weeks ago and had a "hunt" at the local preserve
already booked. (I figured two weeks was enough time to get re-acquainted
with me after the couple months with you).
Anyway, the day came and the weather turned out to be not what you'd really
want to take a young (11 months) setter out in.
It was blowing at least 30 mph with gusts to 45 (no BS). I'd booked for 17
chukars as this preserve doesn't do quail and was out
of Huns.
I cut Jack loose and crossed my fingers and in about 5 minutes, he struck a
nice solid point. I went in with my trigger hand on the gun and my
left hand on the e-collar and watched him as I proceeded to go in and flush
the chukar -- he stayed perfectly tight until the flush and I dropped the
bird.
We did this 3 more times in the next half hour. The fifth bird was pointed
but decided to run before I got there and it was too much for Jack to
handle
and he broke on it and flushed it. I nicked him and didn't kill the bird.
That was the only mistake he made in finding and holding point on 15 birds,
in 30 mph winds -- I was stoked!!!!
I wanted him to do all 17 but I promised my 11 year old setter he'd get a
chance so I let him do the last 2 while Jack rested in the crate.
I'm sure you won't forget Jack in the near future -- I remember one of our
Friday evening phone calls when you asked me why I didn't name him Satan
instead of Jack. I'm also sure that he holds the record for breaking off of
your chain-gang not once but 3 times, and I seriously hope your hand is OK
after he decided that he did want the first bird you killed for him after all and
thought it be OK if he collected from you at full running speed. (sorry).
Anyway, "the dog from hell '02" is back home with his owner and I'm
optimistic the next 13-14 years will be bountiful. I've booked 3 weeks in
Grouse country of Wisconsin and in New Hampshire this fall. Do you think he'll handle
birds with one error on those too??
I'll see you again in 10 years when it's time to do my next one. Thanks a
lot for your patience, your expertise and your willingness to try something
new on my little problem child.
If you ever have the need , please don't hesitate to use me for referrals.
Sincerely, Jeff Sauter Cape Cod, Massachusetts
UPDATE - Jan. 17, 2003 - Here's TAILFEATHERS HIJACKER aka Jack . (Neil thinks he
should be called Jack the ripper!!). Seriously, I really want to thank you for helping create what I hope to be
a wonder dog. He's out of Luben/Crockette from April '01- 21 months old in the picture. He's already hunted in 5 states,
did great on his woodcock (7 points the first day he ever smelled one) and is still getting educated on those
heavily pressured Wisconsin and New Hamp. grouse. I know you trial-eyed guys want that tail a hair higher but
I didn't "style" him there -that's how he pointed the bird for my friend to come in on.
So again -- my sincerest thanks to: Pete/Katie, Neil/Judy and Dave and Ryan
for all your help. Sincerely, Jeff Sauter Cape Cod, Massachusetts
I wanted to take a few minutes to update you on Hank's progress. It has been extremely hot so
I haven't worked him a lot. The few times I have had him out he has been great! He is still
working like he did the day I picked him up. His points are solid and he does not break until I
release him. I have not been shooting any of the birds, so I just have him hold the point until
the bird flushes and flies away. I always have the e-collar ready, but so far he has not broken point.
I am looking forward to cooler weather and working him on some hunts and trials.
I want to tell you again how impressed I am with your methods. I had tried working with,
and talking to, several other experienced trainers before I brought Hank to you, but no one else
was able to get the results you did. You are able to mold your methods around the individual dog's
personality. It takes patience to learn each dogs style and what makes them tick and you did a
fantastic job with Hank. He not only performs better than I ever thought possible, but he is happy
doing it. The training you did with him did not intimidate him in any way. You were able to move at
his pace and bring him along as he was ready.
I really enjoyed taking him into the field and working him with you the day I picked him up.
I am not sure who learned more Hank or me! I will keep you updated on his progress. Thanks
again for your efforts. Best regards, David Painter - Laurel, MD. - June 28th, 2001
I just wanted you to know how well the dogs
are doing. Boy is coming along fine and he is still
hard-headed at times. Duke on the other hand is a
machine. He is pointing pheasants, woodcock, quail, and
rabbits and retrieving them all. Thanks again for the
excellent job you did on both dogs.
Rick McQuay, Chester, Md.
I just wanted to drop a line to thank you for the work you did with Luke. Its a bit early to tell just what I have with this pup but from what I've seen so far,
I'm encouraged. I owe much of that to Stockley Kennels. I will certainly plan to bring him back to you in September for additional training.
Aside from what Luke has learned about hunting, I see a definite difference in this dog with respect to his behavior in the house. Not sure as
to what to attribute this to but he is noticeably much calmer and well behaved now. Perhaps after spending the past 5 weeks in a kennel, he sees being indoors
as a privilege rather than his right. Anyway thanks for all you did. It was a real pleasure
dealing with all of you. Neil is a wizard with bird dogs. Gary Miller, Medford Lakes, N.J.
Wing and Shot Magazine
December 96, January 97
A Day in Wood Cock Heaven - an article by Pete McLain
----- "" I tried everything like running away, calling him in an excited manner and even in a pleading way, but he persisted. The answer appeared to be force-breaking.
----- ""I took him down to Neil Lessard, an excellent pointing dog trainer in Eastville, Virginia. I showed Neil how Jock behaved and he said he never had a dog he could not force train to retrieve.
----- ""He said it would be a six-week training period. At the end of five weeks Neil called and said, "Pete, you have a real hardhead here who just doesn't want to do it." We decided to give him another week. Then one night I got a phone call from Neil and he said, "Pete, you've got a retrieving fool."
----- ""All of a sudden Jock had decided he wanted to play the game, and ever since he has delivered to hand. I will admit that every so often if I see a retrieve get a little sloppy or he drops a bird at my feet, we have to resort to the old toe-squeeze trick, but he's soon back on track. I doubt that I would have had the patience to bring him through a force retrieve program myself."" -----
----- ""All of which taught me that if you are serious about your gun dog training and you run into a problem, it's wise to seek professional assistance from a respected and experienced trainer. The same is true with obedience training of house dogs and family pets. If you encounter what appears to be an impossible training situation, seek some experienced or professional help before you make a bad dog training situation worse.""
E-mail: stockleykennels@esva.net
E-mail: stockleykennels@verizon.net
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(one indication I did not get it is that I have not answered your email)
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Neil and Judy Lessard
Stockley Kennels
P.O. Box 298
Eastville, Va. 23347-0298
(757) 678-0966
