Hunters Creek Retrievers – Top Dog Training USA
Service area: Serves the greater Houston area, including surrounding counties and communities within Texas, with clients nationwide and internationally.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Service Dog
- Therapy Dog
- Competition / Agility
- Working Dog
Specialty Focus Areas
- Puppy Training
- Basic Obedience
- Recall
- Separation Anxiety
- behavior
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Private Facility
- Board and Train
- Day Training
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Intensive Program
- Ongoing Weekly
Types of Dogs
- Sporting
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
- ✓ Balanced Training
Equipment:
- ✓ Clickers
- ✓ Food Rewards
- ✓ Harnesses
- ✓ Flat Collars
- ✓ Obstacle Courses
Hunters Creek Retrievers offers a Puppy Head Start Training program that includes crate training and foundational obedience commands before delivery. Clients complete a detailed puppy application to ensure the best match for their lifestyle.
Training is tailored to purpose—companion, hunting, therapy, or service—and includes ongoing support. Intensive training is available for service and working dogs, with personalized guidance from John Tate throughout the process.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Pricing varies based on puppy selection, training level, and purpose (pet, hunting, service). Puppy prices range from $1,250 to $10,000+, with Puppy Head Start Training included. Specific training packages are customized after application and consultation.
Testimonials
“10000/10 recommend!! I cannot express enough gratitude for this amazing breeder!! My puppy came home to me 2 weeks ago today to be trained to be a service dog~ he just turned 5 months old, and with me 2 weeks, and is already showing signs of natural alerts and responding to my medical episodes perfectly!! My entire family and I are so beyond thankful for my precious Pluto, this breeder is AMAZING!!! If you are looking for a service dog look no further than Hunters Creek Retrievers!!! Mr. John is so amazing, he spoke with me as well as my parents and matched me with the absolutely perfect puppy!!!”
– Jamie
“The first day we brought our puppy home, he was walking with us on heel. Thanks to Johns great training through Puppy Head Start Training, the Puppy Head Start Training has helped both our puppy and us make an easy transition to our home. He knows Sit, stay and come already. Thank you John!”
– Virginia
“I have had hunting dogs all my life… Now that I am a retiring hunter I wanted a great retriever and close companion so I contacted John Tate… I could not be any happier with my male yellow lab. The retrieving is of course in his blood and John had him retrieving out to +/- 40 yards as a puppy. He was taught all the basic obedience commands easily. I also have him finding and bringing antler sheds on my ranch. He is a wonderful companion both in the field and at home.”
– Gerald
About the Trainer
Hunters Creek Retrievers is a dog training and breeding business based in Houston, TX, with a 33-year legacy of raising and training champion Labrador Retrievers. They specialize in breeding Labs for companionship, hunting, competition, therapy, and service roles including PTSD, anxiety, autism, alert, and mobility assistance.
Their Puppy Head Start Training program provides foundational obedience—Sit, Stay, Come, and Heel—with hand signals, verbal, and whistle commands before puppies go home. They emphasize matching each family with the right dog based on lifestyle, needs, and budget, offering personalized selection and ongoing support.
John Tate, the owner, is known for his ethical breeding practices, deep knowledge, and hands-on approach with clients and dogs.
In addition to training, they breed chocolate, black, and yellow Labradors with proven field and family pedigrees. They have supported over 40 charities and have placed therapy and service dogs with veterans, children, and families in need, including through partnerships with the Lone Survivor Foundation and Ronald McDonald House. Their clients consistently praise the dogs’ temperaments, trainability, and the level of care provided before and after adoption.
Accomplishments
33-year legacy of breeding and training champion Labrador Retrievers. Over 40 charities supported with over $350,000 raised.
Placed therapy and service dogs with organizations including Lone Survivor Foundation, Texas Hearing Institute, and Ronald McDonald House. Dogs have been featured in national campaigns including a JJ Watt commercial.
How to Get Started!
Prospective clients must complete the online puppy application to begin the matching process. After submission, John Tate contacts the applicant to discuss needs, preferences, and budget. A phone consultation follows to determine the best puppy fit, with options to visit or arrange delivery.
34+ Years Experience
Free Consultation
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Hours
9am-5pm
Associations
- AKC
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Dog breeder
Listing Tools for Trainers
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