Hop River Shepherds

Hop River Shepherds offers several training programs tailored to individual dog and handler needs. Their One-on-One Pet Training is conducted at their facility, focusing on equipping owners with tools for long-term success, and they do not offer puppy play groups, instead recommending private training for puppies.

For dogs struggling with reactivity or aggression, they provide Behavior Modification using balanced training methods, also conducted at their facility. Their Board and Train programs are 3-4 weeks long, emphasizing structure and routine, and include three follow-up lessons for the owner. Dogs in this program stay in safe kennels or crates and get exposure to various environments.

Group Obedience Classes are available once a week on Saturday mornings for current or past advanced obedience clients, meeting at their training field or in public high-distraction settings. They also offer one-on-one Protection & Sport Training, customized to the team’s experience. A Structured Day Camp is available for current and past clients, providing a controlled environment where dogs are placed in appropriate play groups and can receive obedience work, structured play, pool time, or field trips based on their needs.

Pricing Summary

For dock diving and pool rental, rates are: 1 dog for $40/hour, 2 dogs for $50/hour, and up to 4 dogs for $60/hour. One-on-one swimming or dock diving lessons are $60 per session. For the breeding program, deposits are required to hold puppies, with the full amount due at pickup.

Hop River Shepherds is a dog training business located in Andover, CT, specializing in training all breeds of dogs, alongside their extensive breeding program for quality Dutch and German Shepherds. They aim to produce versatile, stable, and eager-to-work dogs, with their puppies successfully placed in various roles including protection sports, personal protection, search and rescue, service work, therapy work, and active pet homes.

The business offers a range of training services including one-on-one pet training, behavior modification for reactivity and aggression, and comprehensive board and train programs. They also provide specialized training for protection and sport, leveraging their facility which features a regulation French Ring field, an agility field, and a dock-diving pool. Additionally, Hop River Shepherds offers a structured day camp program for current and past training clients, and their dock-diving pool is available for rental, swimming lessons, league nights, and competitions.

Accomplishments

Scott Beebe, a trainer at Hop River Shepherds, is accredited by the State of Connecticut to teach dog training and grooming. He is also the North American Ring Association eastern zone representative and actively trains and competes in French Ring. Katherine Boggs, another trainer, trains and competes in both French Ring and IGP.

Hop River Shepherds has been breeding Dutch and German Shepherds for over 25 years, with their dogs successfully placed in sport, protection, service, and active pet homes. Their US-bred Dutch Shepherds are among the few living and working in Holland today.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients can reach out via email or phone to inquire about services. For the breeding program, Hop River Shepherds prefers to place puppies in homes that are educated about their breeds or willing to be educated, and they match puppies to buyers based on needs and temperament between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Buyers are involved in the puppy-raising process from birth. For board and train programs, the duration of stay is assessed after the dog has spent time at the facility.