Otter Tail Kennels

Otter Tail Kennels offers various training programs primarily for retriever breeds, focusing on hunting and hunt test competition, as well as one-on-one guidance for owners. All programs include obedience training and introduce dogs to hunting equipment and scenarios with live birds.

Hunting programs include: Upland only (12 weeks, focuses on field control, quartering, flushing, no water retrieves or steady work); Basic Waterfowl (12 weeks, focuses on water and land marking, steady to shot, hunting from boat/blind); Sportsman (14 weeks, combines Upland and Basic Waterfowl); and Advanced Waterfowl (16 weeks, prerequisite: Basic Waterfowl or Sportsman, includes multiple marks, honoring, hand signals, blind retrieves). A Fall Refresher program is available for previous clients to reinforce prior training.

Hunt test training programs include: Junior Hunter or Started (16 weeks, single marks, steady on-lead); Senior or Seasoned (16 weeks minimum, prerequisite: Junior/Started or Basic Waterfowl, double marks, blind retrieves, honoring); and Master or Finished (ongoing, dependent on dog’s ability, prerequisite: Junior/Started and Senior/Seasoned, triple marks, blinds, walkups, honoring, diversion shots/birds).

One-on-one training is available for owners who prefer to train their dogs themselves but need guidance, with weekly one-hour sessions at their facility. They also offer “Custom trained hunting retrievers” where they select, raise, and train a Labrador Retriever to specific hunting and home needs, available at Hunter Ready and Advanced Hunting levels.

Pricing Summary

Custom trained hunting retrievers are priced at $9,000 for the Hunter Ready level (7 months of training) and $15,000 for the Advanced Hunting level (13 months of training). These prices include the cost of the puppy, transportation, training, live birds, housing, boarding, dog food, and vet bills until the dog transitions to the owner. One-on-one training sessions are $125 per hour, with live birds billed extra.

Policies

During training, owners receive weekly progress reports via phone calls. Visits are asked to be kept to a minimum, especially during the initial part of training. A transition session is scheduled as the dog’s training completion date approaches, where owners are taught how to handle and maintain the dog’s training long-term. They offer ongoing support for the lifetime of the dog, including calls and emails for questions and concerns, and owners are welcome to join training sessions during the week by appointment.

Otter Tail Kennels was founded in 1997 in Glenwood City, WI, and reopened in January 2019 in Menomonie, WI. They specialize in training retriever breeds, specifically Labrador, Golden, and Chesapeake Bay retrievers (excluding dilutes), to help them achieve their true potential. Their goal is to resolve behavior issues and lack of training, enabling owners to better enjoy their dogs.

The business operates on 40 acres in Western Wisconsin and leases thousands of additional acres across Wisconsin and Minnesota. They travel 2-3 days a week to ensure dogs are accustomed to working and being obedient in various locations. Their facility features a heated and fan-cooled kennel building with chain link runs, barrel dog houses, and lix-it water systems, which are cleaned and disinfected daily.

Otter Tail Kennels is owned and operated by Steve and Jody Smith, who are the sole trainers providing hands-on interaction with the dogs. They limit the number of client dogs to eight to ensure extensive one-on-one attention. They offer ongoing support for the lifetime of the dog, including weekly progress reports, owner training during the transition period, and invitations for owners to join training sessions.

Additionally, they provide recommendations for various dog training products such as e-collars, bark collars, kennels, dog stands/blinds, quick release systems, whistles, lanyards, bumpers/dummies, dead fowl trainers, and leads/leashes.

Accomplishments

Steve Smith began training retrievers in 1989 and professionally in 1997. He has trained thousands of dogs, many to the Master Hunter (MH) or Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH) level, and regularly competes in AKC and UKC hunt tests. Jody Smith also began training professionally in 1997, focusing on obedience and force fetch. Together, Steve and Jody have over 30 years of experience training retrievers.

How to Get Started!

For Golden, Labrador (no dilutes), or Chesapeake Bay retrievers, a free consultation is offered at their kennel to determine training needs. For one-on-one training, an initial free evaluation is provided to assess the dog’s current knowledge and determine where training should begin. To sign up for one-on-one training, clients can email or call Steve to set up the initial consultation.