Any recommendations on good lab trainers on the westside?

[Spuddieselwwu]

Just got a new puppy and am planning on getting her some good training.

I know Snoqualmie River Retrievers is close by - anyone have any good experiences with them?

Let me know.

Thanks!

[et1702]

Talk to "HappyGilmore" (i.e., Paul) on this site.  You won't be disappointed!

ET

[Huntboy]

Talk to "HappyGilmore" (i.e., Paul) on this site.  You won't be disappointed!

 

[et1702]

Just tried to send a PM to paul - looks like that user name is not valid. "HappyGilmore"

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=1374

Here is link to his profile.  His user name needs a space (i.e.,  Happy Gilmore )

ET

[Gamblin Guy]

Bryant and Cindy Meyer at Rocking M, great people.

http://www.rockingmlabs.com/

[low97ram]

Bryant and Cindy Meyer at Rocking M, great people.

http://www.rockingmlabs.com/

   they worked with me and my 2 labs, although not for hunting, but are very good and great people.     FYI..he likes coors light...lol

pete

[thinkingman]

Talk to "HappyGilmore" (i.e., Paul) on this site.  You won't be disappointed!

 

ditto...Likes Red Hook....

[sockeye66]

Bryant and Cindy Meyer at Rocking M, great people.

http://www.rockingmlabs.com/

   they worked with me and my 2 labs, although not for hunting, but are very good and great people.     FYI..he likes coors light...lol

pete

really great people!!!!

[ttown]

I have used Rocking M to help do some training, nice people .  I would say they are more of a breeder/show dog/kennel place etc.

If you want a full time trainer I would go spend some time with Pat at Northwest Performance http://www.northwestperformancedogs.com/  He is out all day every day training labs.  I have done this training personally and it is really important to go and spend time watching the trainers..  I did this with three trainers and ended up with Pat. 

 Come over and run my 1 year old lab and you will see.. after a month she does a nice job.

[jackmaster]

talk to sakoshooter, his dogs are unreal, it is so cool to see his dogs work, i have seen good dogs and then sako brought his dogs over and he trains them himself and all i can say is AMAZING.... good luck

[gasman]

Talk to "HappyGilmore" (i.e., Paul) on this site.  You won't be disappointed!

ET

Bryant and Cindy Meyer at Rocking M, great people.

http://www.rockingmlabs.com/

Cant go wrong with either... even thou Happy is a Chessy guy 

[Happy Gilmore]

Depends on your goals for the pup. Pat a NW Performance and Bryant at Rocking M do formal work for hunt tests. Pat is a full time professional trainer. Bryant has a full time job and trains dogs professionally on the side.

If you want a field trial competition dog that's a whole different story and if you're asking for a trainer you probably already know the "who is who's".

I'll help guys out with little stuff here and there but, I'm not and won't ever claim to be a "Professional".

[mkcj]

Pat a NW Performance and Bryant at Rocking M!



                         

[Happy Gilmore]

Price is important too- Shop around and do not drop off your dog with the first person you meet. Go visit a few different trainers and decide who best fits your personality. Ask a lot of questions about how much time is spent working the dog in the field, when do you go to the field, where is the field, how much time they are in the kennel, how many birds should you expect on your bill etc.

Find someone who answers your questions quickly and don't be affraid to ask about their record. All retriever trainers run dogs. The main service we use for entering dogs in hunt tests and field trials is called "Entry Express". You can look up every single professional trainers' success records and see if they live up to the talk. If they don't run the dogs they train(which isn't uncommon at all, often owners run their dogs) you can see the success rate of the dogs they have in training. Ask for the owners' names as reference or the dogs' registered name. Think of it this way, looking at Entry Express for a Professional trainers' name is just like looking at ratings for a car you're about to buy or, a CarFacts website. Except it's free!!! When you pay more money a month for training than you would a car payment, don't hesitate to do some research! Look up my record and it isn't all that good. That is why I'm not a PRO!!!!! LOL!!!!! 

If you'd like any help I'm always glad to help out in any way possible-

I believe you may have to do a free registration on this website to use the search feature but, here is the link anyways- It's a little complicated but, not too bad-
https://www.entryexpress.net/LoggedIn/search.aspx

Click on "Person", type in the name.  It will give you the names then you click on "Owner or Handler" Click on Handler. For whatever reason their search function does not produce results for the "Owner". Pick out a dogs' name, copy it, hit back and insert the dogs name in the search function. Once you get the dogs' name in the search function you can see the dogs' history. The dogs history will tell you if it passed or failed.

[Spuddieselwwu]

Thanks guys.  Much appreciated on all the feedback.

What I'm looking for is an all around bada$$ waterfowl dog.  I'm not concerned with field tests, etc - just a dog that is comfortable, confident and knowledgeable in the field.  I have begun training her myself, but want to do her justice by getting her some professional help. 

I'll do some research - thanks guys.

[PointNLab]

PM Sent

[saltwaterhillbilly]

Pat at Northwest Performance Dogs, he is a full time trainer and haven't had any complaints from him or about him. ive been very pleased working with him once a week when it comes to training my critters.

[vandeman17]

I would recommend Conway Kennels as well. That is my uncle's place and they do a good job. A few guys on here, including myself, have had dogs with them.

[Goldeneye]

I would recommend Conway Kennels as well. That is my uncle's place and they do a good job. A few guys on here, including myself, have had dogs with them.

I can 2nd that.  My girl spent a couple months with them this year.  I was very impressed with how well Brooke Jr is able to read the individual dogs.  She will be boarded there while I'm off elk hunting in a couple weeks as well.  That way, she'll get a refresher and a little more work in with Brooke Jr before I start duck hunting steady.   

http://www.conwaykennels.com/ck/default.asp

[LeftCoastLoren]

Anybody with tips on gun shyness?? I have a great lab, she retrieves, loves the water, listens very well, but when that gun goes off shes headed the other direction! Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Special T]

Its not west side but not that for from issaquah... Ryan fortier of Long hollow retrievers. He lives where he works and did a a good job on my Chessie. He was also cheeper by a few hunded a month than most on the west side. 

[akirkland]

McKenna Kennels hasnt come up once. I dont know much about them but I see them training all the time. I train my own dogs. Not winning any hunt tests but my labs work just fine in the field.

[cem3434]

McKenna Kennels hasnt come up once. I dont know much about them but I see them training all the time. I train my own dogs. Not winning any hunt tests but my labs work just fine in the field.

Several of my co-workers have used McKenna Kennels.  I have hunted over their dogs and they are great hunters. 

[scottcrb]

looking to get a dog as well and thanks for all the input guys. looking for the same thing just a kick ass water fowl dog that obeys and listens, and is a great friend too. gonna keep an eye on this thread.

[TheKid#10]

 

[Goldeneye]

I would recommend Conway Kennels as well. That is my uncle's place and they do a good job. A few guys on here, including myself, have had dogs with them.

I can 2nd that.  My girl spent a couple months with them this year.  I was very impressed with how well Brooke Jr is able to read the individual dogs.  She will be boarded there while I'm off elk hunting in a couple weeks as well.  That way, she'll get a refresher and a little more work in with Brooke Jr before I start duck hunting steady.   

http://www.conwaykennels.com/ck/default.asp

Dropped my girl at Conway Kennels today for the 10 days I will be in Elk camp.  This way she is getting some work in while I'm elk hunting.  Before I left, Brooke Jr and I worked her for a short bit on two pheasant and a chuckar.  He plans to put her through the paces for both upland and waterfowl while I'm away.