Will be getting a new pup soon. I personally trained my last two labs and fortunately they were both great dogs. I am strongly considering a professional trainer for this one as I am worried I will not be able to dedicate the time necessary to train him. Who do you recommend? Thanks!

I strongly recommend Tioga Retrievers. I can't say enough positive things about my experiences with them.

Rody Best at Best Retrievers in Paige, Tx less than 2 hours from you. -Great HT and Gundog program

Clayton Taylor at Muddy Paws Retrievers in Anderson, Tx-great young dog trainer excelling in FT (been doing very well in Derbies and Quals) and has a gun dog program. He worked for Rody and Karl and Cyndi Gunzer.

Pm sent

Look up Elite Gundogs. Eric Sutton is close to you in Troy & does a great job

Rocky Creek Kennels with Steve Biggers.

Might want to take a look at Entry Express before deciding and seeing when and at what level guys have competed dogs before you decide.

Awesome information. Thank you all!

Tony on here really knows his stuff his outfit is maximum intensity retrievers

Be careful on who you choose. I know a couple of the big name trainers dont actually train your dog in the first few months they let there apprentices or helpers do it. No since paying a trainer 800 a month and they arent doing the work. Make sure also they guarantee the dog will be least worked minimal two sessions a day. For the fees they are charging now days there is no reason the dog should have days off or not get trained multiply times a day

I disagree with the above. Having assistants work with a dog is not an issue. The program and oversight is what matters the most. Also, every dog needs days off. They need time mentally and physically to not be under the stress of training. The trainer and program if they are any good will determine how many sessions and at what pace to train the dog. That is what you are paying them for and that is why you should choose wisely. There are tons of gundog trainers out there. Many that even compete in Hunt Tests, most I wouldn't let air my dog much less CC or FF or heaven forbid do pile work, casting, pattern blinds and intro to cold blinds.

If a guy has been training for years and isn't turning out MH level dogs consistently, that should tell you something.

Thanks again. KH and Mcutty, do you recommend anyone you've used?

My recommendations are posted above. I train my own dog, but run HT and FT, and have been around and watched the dogs run under countless pros and been to training days with many.

X2 on Rody and Best Retrievers. My dog is with him now going through advanced training and I couldn't be more pleased with her results and the professionalism of everyone there. He does have other trainers work for him, but in my mind you are paying for his program, expertise, reputation, top notch facilities and incredible training grounds he has. As mentioned above, check entryexpress, do a search for trainers on Retrievertraining.net and Google, some fine names have already been listed here.

I agree with this as well. The best trainers have assistants for a reason. The assistants reflect on their business, so a good trainer will do his homework on the assistant he hires and/or train them on their program and how to treat and train his client dogs. My only concern would be if the assistant is brand spankin new to training dogs and will be working your dog daily.

I didnt imply that all assistants arent qualified. Im saying do your reasearch to make sure the assistants are qualified!! Not all trainers are the same and all there programs are ran different. U need to evaluate there setups and training style to determine that. You also need to determine what type of training you want gundog/hunt test/field trial.

I didn't think you implied that all assistants aren't qualified, but was just agreeing that assistants aren't a bad thing so the OP doesn't disregard trainers with assistants. However, in regards to determining what type of training you want, whether it's gundog/hunt test/field trial, I personally believe that it should not matter what your end result for the dog is, the basics are the same no matter what...whether you want a gundog/hunt test/field trial dog.

I would just talk and meet with several of the trainers and see which one you feel you have a good connection with. I think the relationship between the trainer and the owner is just as important as the relationship between between trainer and dog. At least it was in my case...because I also wanted to be trained to be a better handler, etc...

Assistants are wonderful,,, If they come fully trained. If they are not,,, then your dog is training fodder for said assistant. I would never pay for my dog being trained by an assistant in training.

Angie

I have my female Lab pup at Iron Spike Kennels in Woodville.
Dawn Bello does a great job .... $500 a month

Anybody know what happened to Greg Sharer?? He seems to have vaporized.

Angie

I thought he was out at Pin Oak now.

That was last year... Pin Oak is very crowded this winter with many FT snow birds.

Greg was a wannabe if you ask me.

Angie

I was at Pin Oak this past week. Greg was not there.

I thought Greg lived in Weatherford?