Northern Air Retrievers

Training is structured in progressive tiers: Puppy Head Start (socialization, basic obedience, exposure to stimuli); Basic Obedience (sit, heel, recall, place); Basic Gundog (collar conditioning, force fetch, marks, steadiness, delivery to hand); Advanced Gundog (complex blinds, honors, diversion birds, hunting cover). Each program builds on the prior, with dogs evaluated individually. Training is facility-based, with no group classes. Board and Train options available. Clients receive regular updates and are expected to follow up with reinforcement at home.

Pricing Summary

Puppy Head Start: $1,200/month; Basic Obedience: $1,000/month; Basic and Advanced Gundog: $900/month. All programs include Purina Pro Plan food, supplements, and birds. Minimum stay required: 5 months for Basic Gundog. Boarding: $35/night; Board and Train: $45/day. Spa services: $60 for full experience, $40 for bath and blowout. Equipment discounts available for Gunner Kennels and Dogtra products.

Policies

Requires a signed training contract prior to enrollment. Minimum 5-month stay for Basic Gundog program. No refunds mentioned; payment is monthly. Vaccination records required before boarding or training. Dogs must be current on Rabies, Distemper/Parvo, and Bordetella; Lepto and Canine Influenza highly encouraged.

Northern Air Retrievers, operated by Brandon, is a professional dog training business specializing in obedience, hunting, and hunt test training for retrievers. They offer tailored training programs for puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs, with a focus on building strong foundational skills that translate into reliable performance in the field and at home. Their programs include Puppy Head Start (for dogs 5+ months), Basic Obedience, Basic Gundog, and Advanced Gundog training, all conducted at their facility in the Northern Neck of Virginia. Training emphasizes proper socialization, collar conditioning, force fetch, steady retrieves, blind retrieves, and exposure to birds, water, and gunfire. They also provide boarding services, board-and-train options, and spa services like grooming and bathing. Brandon is known for personalized training plans, consistent communication with owners, and a philosophy of training until the dog “can’t get it wrong.” They partner with Gunner Kennels and are a Dogtra e-collar dealer, offering discounted equipment to clients.

Their training is designed for sporting and working dogs aiming for AKC/UKC hunt test titles, but also benefits pet owners seeking well-behaved companions. All training is conducted on-site at their facility, with no in-home or virtual sessions offered. Clients receive weekly updates and are encouraged to be involved in the process.

In addition to training, they offer breeding, whelping, guardian home programs, and puppy sales, making them a full-service retriever specialist.

They require all dogs to be up-to-date on Rabies, Distemper/Parvo, and Bordetella vaccines before boarding or training.

Accomplishments

Trained dogs to achieve AKC Junior and UKC Started titles; recognized by clients for producing reliable hunting and hunt test dogs; partnered with Gunner Kennels as a trusted trainer; featured in client testimonials for consistent, high-quality results over multiple training cycles.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must contact Northern Air Retrievers to discuss goals, schedule a dog evaluation, and complete the required training contract before enrollment. Puppy Head Start spots are limited and require advance reservation. Boarding and training services require up-to-date vaccination records.