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Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW #7638300 10/21/19 08:53 PM
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TxGunDog Offline OP
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I have a 4 month old lab and, although I have done a good amount of work on my own, I would like to find a great professional trainer. My goals would be to have a great bird dog (ducks, quail, pheasant) as well a family dog that would do well in various settings (restaurants, etc.). Finding one in the DFW area would be great but would go further for great training / facilities. Ideally I would be able to find someone who uses Milner’s approach but am not dead-set there.

Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7638416 10/21/19 10:57 PM
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BradyBuck Offline
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Give Justin Jackson with Texoma Retrievers a call. He will do a great job. Since you want to do some quail and pheasant he would be great because he does a lot of upland training with labs.


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Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7638589 10/22/19 01:18 AM
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There is a Wildrose Kennels - Texas (not sure of exact name) just south of Dallas. I am sure they use Milners approach or something similar. I have no idea? But might be worth you checking out if that is what you like.

Where in DFW are you?

Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7638649 10/22/19 02:08 AM
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Why would you use millners approach above training which is tried and true?

Robby

Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7638675 10/22/19 02:23 AM
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TxGunDog Offline OP
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Thanks for all the comments and suggestions thus far.

BradyBuck, I’ll definitely reach out to Justin Jackson and appreciate the suggestion.

Triggerbowltx, I think Wildrose would be a good option but they only train their litter pups (and I believe only UK labs) so my American lab would be out. I am located near Dallas, about 45 minutes from FW.

Birdhunter61, I am still researching the different methods but Milner’s approach seemed to have pretty consistent success. That being said, my last dog was force fetch / e-collar trained and turned out well. I know there’s some healthy division on which approach is better so any researched guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7638682 10/22/19 02:28 AM
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Originally Posted by TxGunDog
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions thus far.

BradyBuck, I’ll definitely reach out to Justin Jackson and appreciate the suggestion.

Triggerbowltx, I think Wildrose would be a good option but they only train their litter pups (and I believe only UK labs) so my American lab would be out. I am located near Dallas, about 45 minutes from FW.

Birdhunter61, I am still researching the different methods but Milner’s approach seemed to have pretty consistent success. That being said, my last dog was force fetch / e-collar trained and turned out well. I know there’s some healthy division on which approach is better so any researched guidance would be greatly appreciated.


I see absolutely no negatives to FF and CC if done correctly and fairly. The methods and tools can be abused and used inappropriately and it is unfortunate but don't throw the baby out with the bath water.



Last edited by BradyBuck; 10/22/19 02:29 AM.

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Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: BradyBuck] #7638696 10/22/19 02:51 AM
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Originally Posted by BradyBuck

I see absolutely no negatives to FF and CC if done correctly and fairly. The methods and tools can be abused and used inappropriately and it is unfortunate but don't throw the baby out with the bath water.


That makes complete sense. It is just hard for me because I’m not sure which trainers in the area / state fall into the “correctly” and “fairly” bucket. I think I was interested in the Milner method because my thought was (maybe naively) that a bad trainer teaching (or trying to teach) that method would have less of a negative impact on the dog (and could be corrected) than one who abused FF and CC.

Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7638734 10/22/19 04:54 AM
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You are smart to be thinking the way you are and doing the research about trainers. I think you will be very happy with a dog trained using more common and widely accepted methods (FF, CC, etc) . You would probably be equally happy with a dog trained in some other fashion (Milner, etc) assuming it actually got trained. It sounds like you might just want a basic gun dog (a dog that retrieves to hand...but might not handle...or take “hand signals”)

A program based on Rex Carr’s methods is certainly the most common training for gun dogs, high level gun dogs and field trial dogs. And it is also what you are used to from your previous dog. I think this would be the best route for you.

The importance is finding a trainer that you like and trainer you trust. Easier said than done but there are quality ones out there.

Some trainers to talk to::
Cripple Creek Retrievers in Decatur
Texoma Retrievers in Lawton
Best Retrievers near Austin
Texas Duck Dogs in Valley View

Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7639021 10/22/19 04:43 PM
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Thank you all for the suggestions. You make some good points on Carr’s methods and I will go down that path. As you mentioned, the trainer is critical so the guidance on quality ones is greatly appreciated.

Thus far I have:
- Cripple Creek Retrievers
- Texoma Retrievers
- Best Retrievers
- Texas Duck Dogs

I’m going to reach out to all those and visit as many that are practicable.

That being said, if anyone has any anecdotal / personal experiences on those mentioned so far (i.e. if any are specialists (water vs land birds) vs generalists, if they teach hand signals, why I should consider one vs another, general thoughts), that would be very helpful.

Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7639452 10/23/19 01:29 AM
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No matter who you go with....if they have to many dogs, yours will fall through the cracks. If you dont personally go visit as often as you can, you may not be happy with the results.
There are many dog trainers in the area, some good, some bad. Even though you put your dog with a pro, it's up to you to make sure your dog is getting trained to your satisfaction.

Robby

Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7639790 10/23/19 02:11 PM
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Reach out to Tony great dude, just south of Dallas

https://www.endeavorkennels.com/


Sombody smells like fried borritos...
Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7639816 10/23/19 02:32 PM
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I can vouch for Best Retrievers personally as i have my second retriever there now for training and couldn't be happier. I have also seen JC with Cripple Creek Retrievers train and would not hesitate to send my dog to him either. I don't believe either of these do much for upland training though. As far as hand signals, any of the trainers TxGundog listed will/ do all teach that, as well as land and water work.

Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7640122 10/23/19 07:39 PM
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I just got a chocolate pup from Justin Jackson at Texoma Retrievers. I cant vouch for his training as I haven't seen it firsthand but it looks like he has a nice kennel and training grounds (I picked the pup up at his house).

I have used J. C. Strange at Cripple Creek and would again.

Someone not mentioned that I've personally seen train is Eddie Noga at Zion Kennels. He seems to be a good trainer and his dogs look good running at hunt test.

https://www.zionkennels.net/

I would narrow it down and visit with the few you are thinking about.

Re: Lab Obedience and Gundog Training near DFW [Re: TxGunDog] #7642929 10/26/19 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by TxGunDog
I have a 4 month old lab and, although I have done a good amount of work on my own, I would like to find a great professional trainer. My goals would be to have a great bird dog (ducks, quail, pheasant) as well a family dog that would do well in various settings (restaurants, etc.). Finding one in the DFW area would be great but would go further for great training / facilities. Ideally I would be able to find someone who uses Milner’s approach but am not dead-set there.


You're welcome to come check out my facility.


Kevin Buckley
Castile Creek Kennels South
214-491-9257
www.castilecreekkennels.com
www.facebook.com/castilecreekkennels
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