Pat Burns & Ray Voigt Training Seminar
From Early Transition to Advanced All-Age Work
December 17–20, 2026 | Boston, Georgia
Nearly 75 years of combined field trial experience on the ground
Four days. Dogs at different stages. Two trainers who came up under the same mentor and built their own read on a dog from there. And one big question: what does it really take to move a dog to the next level?
This December, Pat Burns and Ray Voigt are getting back together in Boston, Georgia, for four days of dogs, setups, discussion, and plenty of learning in the field.
WHY THESE TWO, TOGETHER
Same foundation. Two ways of seeing a dog.
Pat and Ray both came up through the same lineage and have spent the years since developing their own eye for what a dog is telling you. That's exactly why watching them work the same dog, side by side, is worth four days.
Pat Burns
Nearly 50 years in the sport. Learned from Rex Carr, the father of modern retriever training, and refined his approach under Mike Lardy, the most decorated field trial trainer in the game. More than 100 Field Trial Champions and 5 National Championship dogs trained.
100+
Field Trial Champions Trained
5
National Championship Dogs Trained
50
Years in
the Sport
Ray Voigt
Trained professionally for 25 years, 14 of them alongside Mike Lardy at Handjem Retrievers. Helped run 50 dogs to their FC‑AFC, handled 13 National Open Finalists, and helped train dogs to 3 National Amateur Championships and 1 National Championship. Now Purina's Senior Specialist for the Sporting Group.
50
Dogs to
FC-AFC
13
National Open Finalists
25
Years
Training
It's all about progression
The seminar is built around progression, taking a retriever from early transition work through the skills and understanding a dog needs as the work becomes more advanced. We'll work with dogs at different points in that process so you can watch how the training itself changes as the dog advances.
What does the dog need to understand before you ask for more?
When is it time to increase difficulty and when should you simplify?
How do you tell whether a problem is coming from the setup, the handler, or the dog's understanding?
And perhaps most importantly what is the dog telling you?
Pat and Ray will work through those questions in real time, using the dogs and the work in front of them, not from a whiteboard, but from the line.
This isn't about standing in a classroom talking about how a dog should progress.
We'll be in the field, watching it happen.
What Handlers Say
“I first attended a workshop as a rank beginner. Five years later, I find myself reaping the benefits of Pat's commitment to always push me to become a better leader for my dogs.”
Betsy Broyd
Field Trial Handler
“Two things have helped me the most: don't talk so much to your dog, and slow down. The faster I get, the more out of control the dog gets.”
Pattie B. & Tiki
Seminar Attendee
“Pat and Ray broke down complex concepts into practical, actionable steps I could apply immediately with my own dogs — real, field-tested guidance from two of the best in the history of the sport.”
Rob M.
Trained with Pat & Ray
What the four days look like
THURSDAY
Check-in, then straight to work. Check-in is Thursday morning, field sessions begin the same day, and we'll break midday for a lunch & learn with Dr. Sarah Love on “Five Things I Wish Retriever Handlers Would Notice Earlier.”
FRIDAY
Field day, then fireside. A full day of setups, followed that evening by a fireside cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres, a relaxed chance to talk training with Pat, Ray, and the rest of the group.
SAT & SUN
Field work continues. More setups across the progression, wrapping up Sunday.
INCLUDED
A notebook with training notes. Lunch is not included, please plan to bring your own or grab something nearby.
WHERE TO
STAY
We'll send a list of nearby lodging options after you register.
Join us in the gallery
Four days in the field, watching every dog, every setup, every adjustment, and hearing why Pat and Ray make the calls they make.
COME LEARN
OBSERVER
$375
There's something different about watching from the gallery. You're free to follow every dog, every setup, every adjustment, and hear why Pat and Ray make the calls they make, without getting your own dog ready for the next turn.
You'll be able to ask questions throughout all four days as dogs at different stages work through the progression, and you're in for Friday's fireside chat as part of the group.
Thursday bonus: a lunch & learn with Dr. Sarah Love of Sport Dog Vet — “Five Things I Wish Retriever Handlers Would Notice Earlier.”
Gallery seating stays small on purpose, large enough for a good group, small enough that you can actually hear the conversation.
A few common questions