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Life at Oak Hill Kennel Dogs in training at Oak Hill Kennel are cared for personally by us (John and Amy). This provides us additional contact time which enhances the training relationship as well as enabling us to reinforce good manners. While tending the dogs, we closely monitor each dog's health away from the excitement of the field, including observation of urine and feces. We attend to health care and routine grooming personally, with assistance from our veterinarian who is available 24 hours a day. A husband-and-wife team, we live at the kennel. We are literally close to our dogs! We train in North Carolina year 'round, taking advantage of the excellent Sandhills climate, which is mild in the winter and much cooler in summer than most of the South (in fact the summer weather is also milder and drier than in the upper Midwest where both of us grew up). This enables our dogs to live comfortably in the kennel and not have to stay on the truck for an extended period of time. Our kennels are exceptionally safe, secure, and comfortable (click on facilities for details). Most dogs have two training sessions per day, which may be yard work, field work, or a combination of the two depending where the dog is in the progression of training. Dogs who profit by additional sessions may be trained three or even four times daily. Amy does most of the yard work and John does most of the field work. Being worked by two trainers (once the foundation is established) helps a dog learn to retrieve properly for different handlers--and thus to work well for his or her owner. We train six days per week. We draw upon a broad array of proven techniques, with over 45 years' combined experience, to tailor training to the individual dog. We train each dog at his or her own pace, so that understanding is built up without creating worry or inhibitions. While we do explicitly use pressure in the force fetch and forcing on back sequences, we do not subscribe to the idea that everything must be taught through pressure. We have found that the motivation to retrieve provides many dogs with incentive to cooperate with the trainer, and that maintenance of standards combined with a thoughtful progression of training results in polished, reliable, and enthusiastic performance. Dogs trained this way are not dependent on constant "enforcement," although regular work to maintain good habits is a good idea. We adapt the means and amount of pressure to each individual, using the minimum that will enable us to get reliable results. We encourage owners to be involved in their dogs' training. For some dogs, however, contact with the owner early in training can hamper their progress, as they are being asked to adapt to a new situation and new demands. From the point of view of the owner's education in retriever training and handling, visits later in the dog's stay with us, after the dog has mastered "the basics," are most productive. Call us at (910) 245-2603 (before 9 p.m. Eastern time) or email us if you would like to discuss bringing your retriever to Oak Hill Kennel.