River bottom dog training

Training programs are structured in progressive tiers: Basic Obedience (6 weeks) teaches sit, stay, heel, loose leash walking, and manners. Intro to Guns and Birds (2 weeks) introduces dogs to bird scent and gunfire. Upland Program (7 weeks) adds quartering in the field. Intermediate Duck Dog (4–5 months) adds waterfowl retrieves, force fetch, and steadiness to gun fire. Advanced Duck Dog (8–10 months) includes T-drills, pattern blinds, swim-bys, and marking birds up to 200 yards. Hunt test programs align with AKC/HRC titles: Junior/Started (4–6 months), Senior/Seasoned (8–12 months), Master/Finished (12+ months). Programs can be broken into summer sessions. Started dogs are available as turn-key hunting dogs with foundational training.

Pricing Summary

Basic obedience training is $300 per week for 6 weeks ($1,800 total) with a guarantee. Gun dog programs are $225 per week plus cost of birds. Basic obedience is a prerequisite for hunting programs. Upland program is 7 weeks at $225/week. Intermediate duck dog is 4–5 months at $225/week plus birds. Advanced duck dog is 8–10 months at $225/week plus birds. Grooming ranges from $30 for small dogs (basic groom) to $75+ for large dogs (complete groom). Boarding packages start with Paw-some Play and Platinum options.

Policies

They emphasize honesty and transparency, advising clients upfront if a dog is not a good fit for their program to avoid wasted money. They guarantee results on basic obedience training. No specific cancellation or rescheduling policies are stated, but clients receive regular updates and are encouraged to communicate concerns.

River Bottom Dog Training is a family-owned facility in Minnesota offering comprehensive dog training, boarding, grooming, and breeding services. They specialize in working and hunting dog programs, including basic obedience, gun dog training, and competitive hunt test preparation for AKC and HRC titles. Their training programs range from introductory bird and gun exposure to advanced fieldwork like marking multiple birds, blind retrieves, and T-drills, with programs lasting from 2 weeks to 10 months. They also offer boarding packages with options like Paw-some Play and Platinum, which include grooming, massage, and group play. Grooming services are available for all sizes, from small to giant breeds, with basic and complete groom packages. The facility is described as clean, state-of-the-art, and designed with dog comfort in mind. They emphasize honesty, fairness, and clear communication with clients, providing regular updates on their dogs’ progress.

They train puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs of all sizes, with a focus on sporting breeds like Labs and Golden Retrievers. Their trainers have experience with over 600 dogs and are known for patience and adaptability, especially with sensitive breeds. In addition to training, they breed high-quality working Labs and offer started dogs ready for hunting.

Clients praise the facility for cleanliness, communication, and exceptional results, noting that dogs return well-behaved at home and in the field. They offer a money-back guarantee on obedience training and stress transparency—advising clients if a dog isn’t a good fit for their program.

Accomplishments

Trained over 600 dogs; successfully prepared dogs for Grand and Master National Hunt Tests in 2025; known for producing high-quality working Labs and competitive hunt test dogs with consistent results across multiple clients.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients are encouraged to call or text to discuss their dog’s needs and program suitability. Training programs require prerequisites (e.g., Intro to Guns and Birds before Upland). Boarding and grooming can be booked simultaneously. No online booking system is available—contact by phone is required.