Thunder Ridge Kennels
Service area: Billings, MT, just 3 miles out of the Billings Heights, 15 minutes from the Billings Airport
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Working Dog
- Family Dog
- Service Dog
- Competition / Agility
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Recall
- Reactivity / Aggression
Training Formats Offered
- Board and Train
- Day Training
- Private Facility
Program Formats
- Intensive Program
- Ongoing Weekly
Types of Dogs
- Sporting
- Working
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
- Senior (8+ years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Balanced Training
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
Thunder Ridge Kennels offers comprehensive training programs including hunting dog training, puppy training, and general obedience training. For hunting dogs, training can begin as early as 3 months old, with formal training starting around 6 months. The program focuses on instruction and moderate pressure to build confidence, instilling obedience and manners, marking, navigating various covers including water, and developing enthusiasm for the hunt. Force fetch is also part of the gun dog training. Most dogs achieve consistency in three to four months of training.
Puppy training emphasizes gentle obedience, manners, socialization, exposure to birds, gunfire, and decoys, and marking. Puppies learn to heel, come quickly, sit, and understand the “kennel up” command by 6 months old. Socialization is a key element, with puppies taken to public places to build confidence. General obedience training is also available, leveraging their extensive experience from gun dog training.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Thunder Ridge Kennels offers great boarding rates with no extra charges for temperament evaluation, administering medications, or playtime. For Doggy Daycare, there is one charge for an 8-hour stay (8:00 am – 5:00 pm), with extra charges for anything before 8:00 am or after 5:00 pm. Clients are advised to call for specific rates.
Testimonials
“I own a femal Labrador/German shorthair cross (16 months old) from Thunder Ridge Kennels. I got her in June at 8.5 months old and was snake broke along with many other dogs. She had basic retriever and obedience training along with positive exposure to the gun. I took her to Montana this past fall and hunted sharp-tail grouse for several weeks. She pointed several grouse and made excellent retrieves. She hunted hard alongside my German wire-haired pointer and showed excellent stamina. She is a joy to be around – very calm in the cat and very social to everyone, plus she is very athletic. I am very happy with Ruby so far and know she will only get better with more bird experience. She weighs around 52 pounds.”
– W. Miller
“I have a professional guide for Cannonball Company in Regent, ND for 6 years and enjoy hunting myself. I have had the pleasure to use several started dogs from Thunder Ridge Kennels and was so impressed I purchased 2 for my own use. However, my father in-law who also is a guide, liked them so much he “borrowed” one long term for himself! The guys at Thunder Ridge are second to none and a true pleasure to work with. These are lab/short hair crosses and they hunt tirelessly! It is quickly apparent that they have great genetics with loads of natural instinct and they are smart. It’s vital that a dog is started right and at Thunder Ridge they are. I have been able to hunt successfully with dogs at 7 month of age. Clients love these dogs. They point, flush, retrieve and easily stay in range. They are great family dogs that take to and love the family as much as we love them.”
– C. Skager
“After suffering the loss of my best friend, 14 year old companion, and loyal family protector, I was a bit skeptical when the owner of the Thunder Ridge Kennels, Leonard Houser, recommended to help me fill the void in my heart from the loss of my beloved Labrador Retriever. Leanard was excited to introduce me to this new breed “German Labradors” (1/2 German Pointer/ 1/2 Labrador Retriever). These pups had been professionally trained at the early age of 7 weeks. At the young age of six months, they were skilled enough for some serious upland game and waterfowl hunting. Thanks, Leonard for your many words of wisdom, friendship, but mostly for my new dog “Anchor.””
– T. Gauger
About the Trainer
Thunder Ridge Kennels is a dog training and boarding facility located in a country setting just outside Billings, MT. They offer boarding for all ages and breeds of dogs, accommodating both short-term and long-term needs. Their facility features spacious heated kennels, sanitized indoor and outdoor runs, and large outdoor exercise areas including a pond, woodlands, and expansive fields.
They specialize in hunting dog training and puppy training, with owner and trainer Leonard Houser having over 35 years of experience. They also provide general obedience training for non-hunting dogs. Thunder Ridge Kennels is equipped to handle dogs with unique care requirements, including service animals and aggressive breeds, and they do not charge extra for temperament evaluation, administering medications, or playtime.
Accomplishments
Leonard Houser, the owner and trainer, has over 35 years of experience successfully training and boarding dogs and cats. He has over 25 years of experience specifically in the hunting dog training field and has trained for and participated in field trials. Leonard is known for his training abilities throughout the U.S., specifically for getting good results with all types of mannerisms and different hunting dog breeds.
How to Get Started!
To get started, clients can call Thunder Ridge Kennels with any questions or to discuss their concerns. They can also make requests electronically via their contact page. Clients are encouraged to fill out the Pet Information Form prior to their visit. Services can be booked by contacting the kennel.
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Dog breeder
- Dog day care center
- Kennel
- Pet boarding service
Location
4210 Hwy 312, Billings, MT 59105Listing Tools for Trainers
For Thunder Ridge Kennels Only
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