West Wind Retrievers and Training

West Wind offers three levels of competition training: Started/Junior Hunter (4 months) teaches basic obedience, electronic collar conditioning, force fetch, whistle sit, and single-mark retrieves; Seasoned/Senior Hunter (6–8 months) adds multiple marks, cold blinds, and terrain navigation; Finished/Master Hunter (9–12 months) includes triple marks, honors, boat and blind retrieves, and advanced obedience. Basic Obedience is a 4-week intensive program teaching sit, come, down, stay, heel, kennel, socialization, and off-leash control. All programs are facility-based and require dogs to stay for the duration of training, with owner sessions included.

Pricing Summary

Basic Obedience: $2000 for a 4-week off-leash program or $2500 for a 4-week in-home program, with additional owner sessions at $50 per 30-minute session. Competition Training: $800/month for Started/Junior Hunter (4 months), Seasoned/Senior Hunter (6–8 months), or Finished/Master Hunter (9–12 months). All programs require a signed training contract and pre-training evaluation.

Policies

All training requires completion and submission of the WWRT Training Contract prior to drop-off. Dogs must be at least 6 months old and up to date on DHPP, Rabies, and Bordetella vaccinations. No cancellation or rescheduling policies are explicitly stated.

West Wind Retrievers & Training is a full-service dog training and boarding facility located in Windsor, VA, owned and operated by professional trainer John “Scooter” Kello. With over 20 years of experience, Scooter specializes in Basic Obedience, Gun Dog Training, and Competition Training for retrievers and all breeds. The business emphasizes personalized attention, training a small number of dogs at a time to build strong relationships with both dogs and owners. They offer board-and-train programs, on-site boarding, and in-person training sessions at their facility. Dogs are trained using structured, progressive programs that include obedience, field trials, hunt tests, and hunting skills. They also provide training for non-hunting families seeking well-mannered pets. Their kennels are on-site, and dogs are treated as part of the family, with updates and even home visits during holidays. The business is rooted in southern hospitality and community involvement, supporting hunting and retriever clubs.

They welcome all breeds and sizes, with programs tailored to individual dogs’ needs. Training includes electronic collar conditioning, force fetching, whistle commands, bird exposure, and advanced field work. Owners are included through scheduled training sessions to reinforce skills at home. The facility is designed for safety, structure, and real-world skill development.

Additional services include dog boarding, breeding and stud services (though no puppies are currently available), and handling services for owners who prefer not to compete in the ring.

Accomplishments

John “Scooter” Kello has trained dogs to earn AKC Master Hunter and UKC Hunter Retriever Champion titles. His own dog, Tigger, holds AKC Senior and UKC HR titles. Multiple dogs trained by West Wind have earned Junior Hunter and Master Hunter titles. Scooter trained dogs for the U.S. Marine Corps in IED detection and has over 20 years of global training experience.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must complete the WWRT Training Contract and schedule a pre-training evaluation to set goals and expectations. Contact John Kello directly to begin the process.