Cottonwood Retrievers

Cottonwood Retrievers offers two main board and train programs: Gun Dog Training and Advanced Off-Leash Obedience. The Gun Dog program is a 4-5 month intensive board and train, including birds, designed for working dogs with a strong retrieving desire. It covers foundational commands like heel, sit, place, puppy marks, remote retrieves, gunshot introduction, conditioned retrieve, and collar conditioning for off-leash reliability, along with land and water marks and upland training. An additional 4-5 month advanced program is available for dogs capable of blind retrieves, three-hand casting, force to pile, whistle commands, T-pattern, swimby, pattern blinds, cold blinds, and extensive bird work. Owners are integrated into the training process starting from the third month.

The Advanced Off-Leash Obedience program is a two-month intensive board and train. The first month focuses on on-lead commands such as here, heel, sit, place, and crate training. The second month progresses to collar conditioning and enforcing commands for rock-solid off-leash reliability, testing dogs with distractions. Owners are encouraged to participate and learn handling techniques as needed.

Pricing Summary

Boarding services are available at $50 per day. Additional services, such as long walks on lead or off-leash, are offered for an extra $15 per day. Pricing for Gun Dog Training and Advanced Off-Leash Obedience programs requires direct contact with Cottonwood Retrievers.

For billing, the first month’s payment is due at drop-off, with subsequent billing at the end of each month. Clients are expected to keep invoices current; a one-week grace period is provided before training is paused. If an invoice remains unpaid after two weeks, clients will be asked to pick up their dog and settle the outstanding balance.

Policies

All dogs must have current vaccinations administered by a veterinarian, with no exceptions. Required vaccinations include Bordetella and K9 Influenza. The facility does not accept aggressive dogs or those with social issues. Payment for training programs requires the first month’s fee at drop-off, with monthly billing thereafter. A one-week grace period is allowed for invoices, after which training will cease until the balance is current. If an invoice is not paid within two weeks, clients will be required to pick up their dog and pay the outstanding balance.

Cottonwood Retrievers is a full-time dog training facility with over 25 years of experience, specializing in Gun Dog training and Advanced Off-Leash Obedience. They operate on over 40 acres of developed land, featuring ponds and pastures for comprehensive training scenarios. The facility includes a climate-controlled indoor kennel and training area.

The business is dedicated to providing personalized attention, limiting their gun dog program to 10 dogs. They emphasize modern training methods to produce happy, confident dogs. In addition to training, Cottonwood Retrievers offers dog boarding services and occasionally has litters of working line puppies available.

Accomplishments

The primary trainer at Cottonwood Retrievers has over 25 years of experience and has been mentored by accomplished trainers including Jim Fulks, Mark Henry, Pat Burns, and Andy Attar. This extensive education spans years, not months. The trainer has also taught and trained bomb detection dog teams and worked with the ATF on imprinting, gaining countless hours in the study of dog training operative theory and modern methods. Their own dog, Cottonwood’s Magic Stick, holds AKC Junior, Senior, and Master Hunter titles.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can initiate engagement by contacting Cottonwood Retrievers to inquire about rates and availability. The business offers a meet and greet session to get acquainted with both the owner and their dog. For the Gun Dog program, an evaluation of the dog’s retrieving drive may be conducted prior to enrollment. Reservations for training programs and litters (when pregnancy is confirmed) are being accepted for 2025.