Cottonwood Retrievers

Gun Dog Training is a 5-month intensive board-and-train program with monthly phases: Month 1 focuses on leash work, basic commands, and retrieving drive; Month 2 introduces conditioned retrieve with dumbbells and frozen birds; Month 3 adds e-collar conditioning and steadiness; Month 4 includes field marks, decoys, and hunting scenarios; Month 5 involves owner training and handler instruction. Advanced Gun Dog training includes hand casting and complex retrieves. Off-Leash Obedience is a 2-month program: Month 1 is on-leash obedience (heel, sit, place, crate); Month 2 introduces collar conditioning and off-leash reliability with distractions. Owners are invited to participate in training sessions during the final phase.

Pricing Summary

Gun Dog Training: $1,000/month for a 5-month program; $1,200/month for shorter programs. Advanced Off-Leash Obedience: $1,500/month for a 2-month program. Boarding: $50/day with optional $15/day walks. First month’s payment required at drop-off, billed monthly. Late payments incur a $150 fee and training suspension after 10 days; dogs must be picked up after two weeks of unpaid balances.

Policies

First month’s payment is due at drop-off; billing occurs at month-end. Clients must stay current on invoices. A 10-day grace period is allowed; after that, training stops until payment is made, with a $150 late fee applied. If payment remains outstanding for two weeks, the client must retrieve the dog and settle the balance before training resumes. All dogs must have current veterinarian-administered vaccinations (Bordetella, K9 Influenza) before entry. No aggressive dogs or those with social issues are accepted. Boarding is only available to past training clients.

Cottonwood Retrievers is a full-time dog training facility located on 42 acres along the Boise River in Caldwell, Idaho, specializing in gun dog and obedience training for Retrievers and other sporting breeds. With over 25 years of experience, owner Jake trains dogs from basic obedience to advanced field trial and hunt test levels, including bomb detection teams for the Marine Corps and ATF. Their program emphasizes personalized attention, limiting training to just 10 dogs at a time, and uses modern, humane methods developed under mentorship from top trainers nationwide. They offer board-and-train programs for both gun dogs and off-leash obedience, with a 5-month gun dog program and a 2-month advanced obedience program. The facility includes climate-controlled indoor kennels, indoor and outdoor training areas, hunting ponds, and pastures for realistic field scenarios. They also breed and sell carefully selected working-line puppies from proven pedigrees and offer boarding for past clients’ dogs during summer months. Their passion is centered on Retrievers, and they prioritize the dog’s well-being, enthusiasm, and long-term handler education.

They provide training for Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Labradoodles, Spaniels, and other sporting breeds, with programs tailored to puppies, adolescents, and adults. Training includes leash work, collar conditioning, e-collar use, mark retrieval, water introduction, gunshot acclimation, and handler instruction. Owners are actively involved in the final phase of training to ensure continuity at home. They require all dogs to be current on vaccinations, including Bordetella and K9 Influenza, and do not accept aggressive dogs or those with social issues.

Accomplishments

Trained dogs for AKC Hunt Tests and Field Trials, including Cottonwood’s Magic Stick, who earned Junior, Senior, and Master Hunter titles in 16 consecutive attempts. Trained bomb detection dog teams for the Marine Corps and ATF. Mentored under top trainers including Jim Fulks, Mark Henry, Pat Burns, and Andy Attar. Over 25 years of professional training experience with thousands of dogs trained.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must contact Cottonwood Retrievers by phone to schedule an evaluation of their dog’s retrieving drive and suitability for the program. A pedigree copy is recommended for evaluation. Reservations are required for the 2026 training schedule, which runs January–September, with no training October–December. A meet-and-greet is offered for boarding clients.