Webfoot Retrievers retriever training kennel

"I have an English Cocker Spaniel who spent a couple of months with Ray at Webfoot Retrievers and my experience was absolutely fantastic. Prior to being with Ray, my ~1 year-old puppy was very difficult to manage. She would demand bark, lacked general obedience and was a source of stress for our family. Ray transformed our puppy into an obedient, fun family member who listens and behaves, but still retains her same energetic personality. Our puppy now walks on heel (with and without a leash), obeys commands, and no longer demand barks. It is truly amazing what Ray accomplished in just a short period of time. Ray accomplished this because he takes a very scientific approach to dog training. He understands dogs and how their brains operate and tailors his training to dogs’ individual needs - no two dogs are the same. Importantly, the dogs love Ray. On our last training session, my dog was sitting on his knee wagging happily! Ray was always communicative, clear and transparent with me. He invested time in my dog and in me — he made me a better owner through our training sessions and was always very generous with his time. I know he did this because he knew it was important for my dog and it would help her to have a better life if I knew what to do. Ray is an absolute expert. He loves dogs and they love him. I highly recommend him."

"Ray did a fantastic job with my two male littermate labs on obedience training. They became too much for me to handle by myself as they got bigger and started listening to me less and less especially when I would give a command to both of them together. When I brought them to Ray they barked all night long, were impossible to walk on a leash, and didn’t stay or come when called. I picked up two completely different dogs. They are quiet on command, heel and walk on a leash like champs, and sprint back to me when I call them. I can now walk them around my property with confidence that they won’t go further than 30 yards off leash. I cannot express my gratitude towards Ray and would suggest him for any obedience issue. He knows dogs like the back of his hand and helped me understand how to communicate with them better as well. On a last note, when you send your dogs to him, you can tell they become part of the family at his house. My dogs adored him. Thank you so much, Ray, for all of your hard work!!"

"I brought my 1 year old Boykin Spaniel, Jake, to be trained to be a duck dog by Ray when he was about 4 months old. When I dropped him off, he had never been swimming and was very much a Boykin spaniel puppy. The obedience training he received in addition to his retriever training has been excellent. From the first time I met Ray, I could tell he genuinely cared about the dogs in his care. Throughout Jake's time with Ray, I would join in periodic training sessions to help sharpen my skills as a handler and to bond with my dog. In those sessions it was easy to see that Ray was equally invested in the dog's success as well as my own as a handler. While I have no complaints on Jake's retrieving abilities in the field now that I have brought him home, I do plan on bringing Jake back for some maintenance sessions. Jake has been doing an awesome job so far this season and I cannot wait to make a lifetime of memories with him."

"I have a yellow lab named Cutter who I brought to Webfoot Retrievers for duck dog training when he was 4 months old or so. Before deciding on Webfoot I visited a larger kennel in the up-state that I did not like quite as much. I chose Webfoot over this kennel for a few reasons. One main reason being Ray, the owner, had more time to work with my dog, Ray took the time to not only work Cutter but to work with me as well, and Ray was dedicated to each dog in his kennel. Ray makes sure he has an appropriate amount of dogs so that he is able to train and keep every individual dog happy. Ray has a very close relationship with each dog in his kennel and is committed to making them the best they can be. After leaving Cutter there for a month I realized Ray genuinely cared that Cutter desired to retrieve as well as excel in his training. Ray also makes sure that the owner is able to handle the dog. He offers handling sessions along with the monthly training which allows you, the dog owner, to come and learn how to handle your dog correctly. I learned quite a lot from these sessions including how to discipline correctly and effectively, as well as ways to get the dog to listen better, but as I was told by the Ray the best way to have your dog listen is to spend time with it. Ray is a very dedicated dog trainer. He not only cared for Cutter during training he also cared about Cutters well being and happiness level. I am very impressed with Cutters performance after being with Ray for the full retriever training program he offers. Cutter knows basic obedience which includes your basic commands, here, sit, stay, heel, and mark. He is able to heel at walk and at stop. He has been introduced to gun shots and real hunting situations, and is able to mark long single, and short double retrieves. I would happily take another dog here again for training. I know they are safe, well taken care of, and I know the end result of a dogs time spent with Ray is worthwhile. I will say Ray spent an incredible amount of time with Cutter and told me on multiple occasions that he wanted Cutter to be the best dog he could be. If you are looking for a dog trainer that will spend the most amount of time to train your dog as well as make sure that it enjoys hunting as much as you do I highly suggest dropping your dog off at Webfoot Retrievers."

"I have a 1 1/2 yr old springer spaniel that is a handful to say the least. I was given Rays name and was told he could help me. It has been a few months now that my dog has stayed at the boarding facility. Ray has worked with my dog on obedience training and I can happily say my dog now listening and is doing well. So far I had him home for one weekend trial period and he did great. I know as I continue to work with Ray I will be able to handle my dog in any situation. Ray is a very experienced professional trainer that is great to work with."