Southern Tide Kennels

Offers structured board-and-train programs: Basic Obedience (4–6 weeks) teaches sit, come, heel, down, kennel, and place on and off leash. Started Retriever (3–5 months) includes obedience, force fetch, e-collar conditioning, and exposure to birds, decoys, boats, and gunfire. Advanced Retriever (4–6 additional months) adds multiple marked and blind retrieves using whistle and hand signals. Only retriever breeds are accepted. Clients are encouraged to attend training sessions to learn handling techniques.

Pricing Summary

Basic Obedience: $1400 (4–6 week board and train). Started Retriever: $750/month (3–5 months). Advanced Retriever: $750/month (additional 4–6 months after Started). Live Flyers and hunt test participation have additional market-rate or handling fees.

Policies

Training contract must be filled out and printed prior to drop-off. Facilities are private; all visits require appointments. Unauthorized visits are treated as trespassing. Results vary based on puppy socialization, genetics, health, and other factors.

Southern Tide Kennels is a family-owned dog training facility located in Carriere, Mississippi, specializing in retriever and obedience training for hunting, competition, and working dogs. With nearly 25 years of experience, trainer Ricky Elston has trained hundreds of dogs for AKC/UKC hunt tests, field trials, law enforcement, and U.S. and UK military operations. They offer board-and-train programs ranging from basic obedience to advanced retriever training, including force fetch, e-collar conditioning, and live bird exposure. Clients are encouraged to participate in training sessions to build handler-dog bonds. The facility is privately owned and visits require appointments. They also train and sell limited numbers of detection K9s for narcotics and explosives for military and law enforcement use.

Their training methods emphasize structure, consistency, and real-world application, with a focus on retrieving breeds. They strongly recommend purchasing well-bred puppies for optimal results and provide detailed training contracts outlining expectations and responsibilities.

Accomplishments

Ricky Elston trained K9 teams for the U.S. Marine Corps and UK military across three deployments to Afghanistan. He served as Team Leader for over 200 Marine K9 teams and was Primary Instructor for R&D projects. Achieved 100% success rate in Marine Corps and ATF certifications. Trained numerous K9s serving nationwide.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must contact Southern Tide Kennels to discuss program options, review the training contract, and schedule an appointment for drop-off. A contract must be completed and brought upon arrival.