Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: Pnwrider on January 26, 2021, 11:56:41 AM

Title: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: Pnwrider on January 26, 2021, 11:56:41 AM: I have a six month old chocolate female I am looking to send off for 3-6 months of training in March. I did a search, but could not find a recent thread (found several from 5-10 years ago) on recommendations for a good dog trainer. The two I contacted that were recommended to me, have since retired. I am not looking to compete with her. I typically dove hunt a few times in the fall and waterfowl every weekend I can get out Nov-Jan. I have no problem working with her a few times a week to keep her sharp, but I will probably only get one shot at a hunting dog so I want her trained well/correctly. I'm on the westside and would like to find someone within a few hour drive. TIA for any insight.
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: vandeman17 on January 26, 2021, 12:11:03 PM: My uncle owns Conway Kennels. He is pretty much retired but my cousin is lead trainer and they do a good job.
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 26, 2021, 12:13:08 PM: Did you get your pup from a breeder? I would talk to them if you did and see who they suggest
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: highside74 on January 26, 2021, 12:27:13 PM: Bryant at Rocking M in Eatonville has a great kennel and is a good trainer. He has fields and ponds so your pup will get diverse training. He has set ups for long retrieval training and will also do force fetch if you like.

He probably won't even treat your chocolate as a 2nd class citizen. Maybe. Jk
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: Pnwrider on January 26, 2021, 01:55:56 PM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on January 26, 2021, 12:13:08 PM
Did you get your pup from a breeder? I would talk to them if you did and see who they suggest
Yes and they also do training, but they are a bit further than I would like to go...

I appreciate the responses so far!
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: High Climber on January 26, 2021, 03:11:50 PM: Keith Hartley with Cedar ridge retrievers in Longview trained a dog for me 8-9 years ago. If he’s still training he does a very good job :tup:
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: wadu1 on January 26, 2021, 04:32:44 PM: Quote from: highside74 on January 26, 2021, 12:27:13 PM
Bryant at Rocking M in Eatonville has a great kennel and is a good trainer. He has fields and ponds so your pup will get diverse training. He has set ups for long retrieval training and will also do force fetch if you like.

He probably won't even treat your chocolate as a 2nd class citizen. Maybe. Jk
:yeah:
I’ll second Bryant Meyer at Rocking M, good place to board as well.
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: shootem on January 27, 2021, 11:42:02 AM: Don't know if Butch Higgins is still training but he was great with my lab and Boykin Spaniel. He was in the Cathlamet area 5 years ago. He was happy to train me as well as the dog.
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: Pnwrider on January 27, 2021, 07:22:42 PM: Quote from: shootem on January 27, 2021, 11:42:02 AM
Don't know if Butch Higgins is still training but he was great with my lab and Boykin Spaniel. He was in the Cathlamet area 5 years ago. He was happy to train me as well as the dog.
He was choice number 1. I left several voicemails and emails and no response, so guessing he has fully retired or not taking new dogs on at the moment.
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: BD1 on January 27, 2021, 08:24:34 PM: Quote from: vandeman17 on January 26, 2021, 12:11:03 PM
My uncle owns Conway Kennels. He is pretty much retired but my cousin is lead trainer and they do a good job.
I have hunted under their dogs...solid dogs...I didn't have my dog professionally trained but that is where I would go...
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: Happy Gilmore on January 28, 2021, 10:37:22 PM: Quote from: highside74 on January 26, 2021, 12:27:13 PM
Bryant at Rocking M in Eatonville has a great kennel and is a good trainer. He has fields and ponds so your pup will get diverse training. He has set ups for long retrieval training and will also do force fetch if you like.

He probably won't even treat your chocolate as a 2nd class citizen. Maybe. Jk

I think he works at Boeing and is not a professional trainer. Someone like Keith Hartley, Butch Higgins and Conway kennels are dedicated to full time retriever training.
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: cem3434 on January 28, 2021, 10:51:36 PM: I just got my pup back from Longhollow Retrievers in Ellensburg and couldnt be happier. She was there for 3 months and I got her back at 11 months old and have been pleased hunting over her this last month.
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: WRL on January 30, 2021, 07:46:01 PM: How far south are you willing to go for a trainer?

WRL
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: Come Get Some on February 18, 2021, 12:21:47 PM: Pm sent
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: lpdoghunter on March 14, 2021, 10:59:47 PM: Long Hollow Retrievers, Ryan and Blake are great.
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: LabMan on March 15, 2021, 07:22:59 AM: Give Andy @ Waterdog University a call does labs from Hunt test to field dogs. just let him know I recommended you, he has one of my dogs now.

Todd
Title: Re: Looking for a lab trainer
Post by: h2ofowlr on March 15, 2021, 07:59:05 AM: Colin at Cascade Retrievers LLC in Monroe is a good option. He also holds training clinics and just had one two weekends ago. Might be worth checking out. I have hunted over his dogs as well.