Training

At Rangerwood Kennels, we offer well-rounded training programs for retrievers that focus on both hunting and obedience.

Our philosophy is simple: we train dogs to be great family companions, reliable hunting partners, hunt test dogs, or tournament competitors — all while tapping into their natural desire to please.

Every dog is different, and so is every owner’s goal. That’s why our training programs are customized, not one-size-fits-all. We’ll assess your pup’s starting point, talk through your expectations, and build a plan that sets both you and your dog up for success.

All training is done with praise and repetition. We make learning fun for the dogs, which means confidence and skills build quickly. And yes — we treat your dog like it’s one of our own.

Text, email or message us on Facebook to enroll in our trainings.

Obedience Training

Obedience training can begin as early as 8 weeks of age and serves as the foundation for all other training. Puppies typically stay for two weeks at a time, going home every other weekend to work with their families.

Formal training usually starts around 6 months of age.

Cost: $850 for 4 weeks

Next boot camp starts September 6th

Next boot camp starts September 6th

Next boot camp starts September 6th Next boot camp starts September 6th

Puppy Boot Camp

Puppy Boot Camp is designed to give young pups (3.5–4 months old) an early taste of hunting life before formal training begins. This program helps puppies build confidence, overcome fears, and develop a strong foundation, all while having fun.

During camp, pups are introduced to:

  • Water and swimming (season permitting)

  • Live birds (pigeons) to spark prey drive

  • Gunfire and retrieving with decoys

  • Dog blinds and hunting setups

  • Various hunting environments (woods, tall grass, crop fields)

  • Whistle introduction for the “here” command

  • Kennel life and socialization with other pups and adult dogs

This isn’t a formal training program, it’s a head start. By exposing pups early, we help them approach future hunt training with curiosity instead of hesitation.

Cost: $475 for 2 weeks. Includes cost of pigeons.

Maximum of 6 pups per camp

During Puppy Boot Camp these pups were learning to settle down on the chain gang and not bark when another dog is working. Remi (chocolate) was not happy having the figure 8 on to curb his barking but he’ll figure it out.

The others are Remi (red), Kohl (black), Knox (yellow) and Toby (yellow).

Lots of great intro work getting done with these pups, but I think their favorite time is recess when they get to play together in the big run.

Hunt Training

We specialize in training Labrador Retrievers for upland and waterfowl hunting. Each program is tailored to the dog’s abilities and the owner’s goals, whether you’re after a solid hunting companion, a hunt test dog, or a field trial competitor.

We have access to live birds year-round, which are key to developing hunting drive, and we work across a variety of properties to give dogs exposure to many hunting situations.

Cost: $850 for 4 weeks + cost of live birds ($25–$100, depending on training focus and customer budget. More birds are always better, but we’ll work within your cap.)