so anybody recommend some good professional trainers to send your dogs???? got a few manes but was wondering what ya'll thought....... what do you think is a good price and what would you look for in one and how can you tell if they not bullsh***** you when you talk to them?

its more a matter of how much you want/can spend vs. how much is a good price in the long run

There are several folks not too far from you that are great trainers and have been in the sport for long time and know there stuff

Chuck McCall in Geismar, Ed Thibodeaux around Crowley, Steve Riggins is just north of Baton Rouge, Dan Dennicus,

Bill Autrey around Monroe area and Barry Lyons around Alexandria are long time personal friend of my family as well as Ed Thibodeaux. The others I have met when I was young and my mom and dad know them all well and are great trainers

Just stay away from Y-farms in Zachary. My dog has become nothing but a dayum bank retriever.

I do training at my kennels in nacogdoches, tx. it may be too far for you but the offer is there. If you have questions call me @ 936-204-5047

I used Pat Mchale at ridgewood kennels down near anderson Tx. He is a no b. s guy thats been around the game for a while. He treated me as good as anyone could even after I was a client...as good a guy as you will ever meet. Lots of hunting dogs and Hunt Test dogs have gone through Pat's Kennel.

I am also in a retriever club with Angie Becker and she is as knowledgeable as anyone in the business and wouldnt hesitate to take a dog to her.

I dont know about Angie but Pat charged 550$ per month last time I checked and thats about right for what you will be paying for a reputable trainer.

pm me if you have any questions.

Ryan Brasseaux and Dan Denicus in Whiteville.....one of only 3 Pro camps I'd send a dog to if I was to use a pro....you can call me if you want their number.

good folks but they do mostly field trial and thats nowhere close to hunting

Doesn't matter. I'm a field trialer and hunt my trial dogs. I have also sold some of my FT washouts that went on to become titled hunt test dogs and/or also gun dogs. I have judged and competed against most FT pro's, there are few that work harder and treat the dogs with more respect than Dan or Ryan. Solid basics goes along way with any dog, and IMO, there are very few that can do a better job at basics than Dan.

not saying any of that isnt true and know those guys are great guys and trainers just saying they are two different worlds

Of course depending on who anyone talks to you could say that about hunt tests too, but atleast most UKC hunt tests try to resemble a real hunting situation as much as possible

I have grown up with both UKC and AKC hunt tests and field trials watched and learned from one of the best trainers in the country (until retired) and know that there is a fine line between hunting, hunt tests, and field trials

Never said a field trial dog cant hunt...they are born with the instinct to hunt and pick up ducks...but when you are hunting you dont have 3,4,5,6 marks 300+ yards with white coats

Also not getting into a pissin match over this either because could care less about all the politics that go on with trials and tests now days...guess im more "old school" since thats what i grew up with

JP, you have my number, I still train everyday in the evenings, save your money and do it yourself.

Dan Denicus trained a very nice derby dog of mine in the early 90's, very good guy. My dogs now are hunt test dogs and Guy Anderson of Anderson Kennels in Huntsville, TX has both my dogs. I would recommend him very much.

I used a guy around brookshire, great guy. he has been doing it for 20 plus years

how much you charge????
i have a pup im lookin at GETTIN trained!!! im down around houston![/quote]

Got a good trainer here around Lafayette. 300/month runs trials. He can get a dog going pretty quick.

LA is not hurting when it comes to great dog trainers. I run field trials now but, in my hunt test days I was very impressed with Barry Lyons, Bill Autrey and Ed Thibideaux. As far as FT's, Mark Smith is up there with the best IMO. If I were just wanting a good hunting dog, I would have to agree with sticking with HT trainers. FT pros(the good ones) are mainly interested in dogs that are potential Field Champions and will likely wash a dog out if they don't feel the dog has the capabilities. HRC is a laid back bunch of folks mainly interested in hunting ducks. When you get to the last series of a FT, the atmosphere is pretty intence.

I am new to this forum. I am just about to get a 18 48 PD boat with a 36 PD motor. I'm fired up!!!!!! I train my own dogs. My 2.5 yr old Downtown Dusty Brown dog "Downtown's Diggem Out"(Scoop) took 2nd in the Q at River King FT in IL 3 weekends ago and is QAA. The next weekend @ Lincoln Trail FT in KY, he got 3rd in the Q and made it to the 3rd series of his 2nd Am. We ran a Master HT last weekend which he passed in MS. We have never failed a HT but that is our last one. HT and FT are two completely different games. Hard to run both and I want an FC dawg. Sorry but I had to brag on my dog's accomplishments. We started out slow with an injury this spring but finished strong.

I will look forward to hanging out with ya'll.

thanks,

Kirk

Wax Lake Retrievers in Patterson, LA John Wilson is the owner and Trainer 450 a month and he will enter a hunt test with the pup when ready. www.waxlakeretrievers.com or 985-397-0933 the man is a excelent trainer.

Hello,
Don't be afraid to check us out at STDT kennels, located in Laplace,La. we are a family owned full time obedience and hunting retriever training facility. Check us out at http://www.stdtkennels.com

Da DogMan
J.Moll
STDT Kennels
Laplace,La.

jpc have you found a trainer yet?? What kind of dog do you have or planning to get?

Just curious, has anyone ever heard of training a catahoula to duck hunt? I have one and he needs a job, plan to turn him into a blood trailing dog at the very least, but would like him to save me some walking during duck season!

Hey ricky, you train down in the parish or close to it?