Professional Biography
Steve was given my first hunting dog at the age of 14; it was a Labrador Retriever, undeniable the most popular hunting dogs of all time. However, as some of his first training efforts attest, success was not immediate, however he did develop the love for working training dogs. During his college years, Steve was a member of Labrador Retriever Club of Southern California, where he devoted his labor on weekends at the club functions. It was there where Steve received his first formal guidance in hunting dog training. He had opportunities to work alongside a few of the most talented amateur trainers of that era and with their help, Steve finished six (6) Labs as AKC Master Hunters. These dogs also faired well at the regional level field trials, but his growth potential was limited by the lack of disposable income. At that time Steve could only afford to compete at the local level. Since then he has taken on dogs from all walks of life, including working with the under privileged as well as dogs that are more naturally gifted. Through these direct associations and from his experiences, he belief not all dogs learn the same way or at the same rate. Traditional harsh “cookie cutting” style of training are predictably distress many a dog simply because it did not born to fit the program. However, given the right opportunity, he knows these dogs could have developed to good dogs. Steve also realize to be successful as a training professional he has to be compatible to each dog to deliver training in multiple dimensions and he must continuously fine-tune his skills to be a better trainer each day. Before turning professional, he received coaching in apprenticeship programs offered by legendary trainers such as Bill West, Dave Walker and Rick Smith. Since then, he has structured his techniques solely based on the silent training method with his own path of “gentle hands” approach and of course, the practical experience developed over the years.
Personal Biography
With the success in Steve's early profession in the high-tech industry, came the financial support needed to expand his passion for bird dogs. Ultimately, in 1997, Steve and his family moved to Colorado and started Godfather Gundogs. In the spring of 1998, he came to the conclusion that developing, campaigning and breeding pointing dogs are the definite of his focus. When he made that commitment, it also became his passion. That passion grows even stronger today; he's never been more alive and devoted as a trainer and breeder, because the love for these dogs. His responsibility for training and developing dogs is not a chore, rather an enjoyment. Steve grew up in Southern California, where his respect for quail hunting and the outdoors were firmly established in his teens. In the early years, he worked as a lifeguard and a gunsmith to support his leisure pursuit. He has a bachelor degree in Environmental Science from California State University of Fullerton. Following his graduation, his professional career consisted of a sales executive, a dot-com founder and as a board of directors of an Inc. 500 company and of course, a professional dog trainer and handler. Click on picture for large viewing
Credentials
In addition to producing and developing topnotch field trail and hunting dogs, Steve's accomplishments as a professional dog handler include over 450 placements in both retriever and pointing breed trials. Since 2001 Since have won the High Point Award 7 times with 4 different dogs in The Rocky Mountain region NSTRA. Steve has served as a board member of Rocky Mountain Region NSTRA for over 5 years and he is a NSTRA judge. In addition to being a certified Purina canine nutrition specialist and a premier member of Tritronics Influential Team, He is also an active member of American Brittany Club. Steve's other hobbies include spending time with his family, collecting European made side-by-side shotguns. His personal library features many museum grade firearms, which many are personally restored. Steve Chang and his wife Helen have lived in Colorado since the spring of 1997. I am multilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese and yes, I still retain a slight accent.
Words to live by
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever Gods may be for my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeoning of chance my head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of warth and tears loom but the horror of the shade, and yet the menace of the years finds, and shall find, me unafraid
It matter not how straight the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll, I'm master of my fate, I'm captain of my soul