The Top Hunting Dog Trainers in Texas

Alpha Dog Nutrition's List of The Top Hunting Dog Trainers in Texas

If you enjoy hunting with your canine companion, Texas is one of the best states to live. After all, Texas is home to some of the best hunting dog trainers in the nation. With so many great trainers to choose from, it wasn’t easy narrowing our selection down to just 5. We based our final selection of the top hunting dog trainers in Texas on real client reviews, quality of programs and facilities, as well as post-training results. The trainers on this list work with both competitive and recreational hunting dogs. In no specific order, here are some of the best bird dog trainers in Texas.

Wade Cashion at Texas Duck Dogs

Location: Houston, Texas

Website: http://www.texasduckdogs.com/

Facebook: TexasDuckDogs

Under the experienced guidance of head trainer Wade Cashion, Texas Duck Dogs offers basic, senior and master hunter training programs for all skill levels and goals. The Cashion family has deep roots hunting in Texas, dating back to the 1800s. Today, Wade and his wife Lauren are the fifth generation in a long family line to work with hunting dogs. This level of skill cannot be learned, it’s a way of life embedded in your blood.

Wade was kind enough to chat with us, and despite all his successes he remains incredibly humble. “We are thankful for great clients and great dog. This is the key to our success,” Wade said. “Grateful for the opportunities God has given us and the wonderful team He has blessed us with."

Here’s what real clients are saying about Texas Duck Dogs:

“My family hit the jackpot with our yellow lab "Lucky" that came from Texas Duck Dogs. We celebrated on Saturday Lucky's one year birthday and also the achievement of passing all his HRC Started Hunting Tests. Lucky has an unbelievable strong drive on land and water; he is a retrieving machine who absolutely loves to get those birds.”

– Trent Cuellar https://www.facebook.com/pg/TexasDuckDogs/reviews/

“I have had Chloe for a couple months now and couldn't be happier. My 3 yr old daughter and her are 2 peas in a pod and her obedience is exceptional. We finally got the Duck season started today, her first live hunt, and let me say awesome.”

– Jerry Searls https://www.facebook.com/pg/TexasDuckDogs/reviews/

“Wade Cashion and the entire staff at Texas Duck Dogs are AMAZING!!! Yeti, our yellow lab, was with them for 4 months and they treated him like he was their own while training him perfectly! Tim and I are so proud of Yeti and his training in obedience and retrieving.”

–Markay Wilson Fluitt https://www.facebook.com/pg/TexasDuckDogs/reviews/

JC Strange at Cripple Creek Retrievers

Location: Decatur, Texas

Website: http://cripplecreekretrievers.net

Facebook: cripplecreekretrieverstx

The team at Cripple Creek Retrievers includes talented head trainer JC Strange, his wife Abi, and two assistant trainers, Madelyn Busch and Anderson Vidrine. With over 18 years of experience training and handling retrievers, JC Strange is considered the best in North Texas. He and his team offer obedience training, basic gun dog training, and competitive hunt test training.

JC and his team work with dogs and their owners to create a synchronized relationship for the best results out in the field. Cripple Creek Retrievers has helped countless clients with everything from training hunting companions for families, to preparing top Master National Competitors.

Here’s what real clients are saying about Cripple Creek Retrievers:

“JC is very knowledgeable, helpful and overall a fantastic trainer! He takes the time to explain training techniques and how to get the most out of your retriever.”

– Pamela Norris https://www.facebook.com/pg/cripplecreekretrieverstx/reviews/

“Great trainer, and I would highly recommend that you take your hunting companion there. JC is very patient in his training and he teaches you what you need to know!”

– Deven Shuler https://www.facebook.com/pg/cripplecreekretrieverstx/reviews/

Rusty Haglund at Trigger Time Kennels

Location: Gober, Texas

Website: http://www.triggertimekennels.com

Facebook: triggertime.kennels

Trigger Time Kennels has produced some of the best hunting and competition dogs in the country. Lead trainer Rusty Haglund started training dogs back in 1993 when he got his first Labrador named Angel. Since his early days, Rusty has competed and placed in the top 10 at one of the oldest and most prestigious events, the US Open Pheasant Championship.

Trigger Time Kennels is an active participant in AKC Hunt Tests. They have successfully trained and worked with dogs in Junior, Senior, and Master stakes. The Trigger Time team is based in Texas but travels to Minnesota during the hot summer months so that their dogs get full outdoor training year-round.

Here’s what real clients are saying about Trigger Time Kennels:

“Rusty worked with her & me for about 1 month and Daisy Mae was already entered in her first Bird Dog Challenge event. She took 3rd place at 6 months of age. Rusty kept working with her and always asked me what I would like done not just assuming. At about a year and a half old Daisy Mae is one of the 2008 BDC World Championship finalists.”

– Josh Menard http://www.gundogbreeders.com/breeders-texas/trigger-time-kennels.html

“I bought a started black lab female from Rusty this past winter at bird dog challenge nationals. I am very pleased she is doing great. She is holding a satunch point marking birds out 250 300 yards now and running blinds just as hard as her marks. The training he had done on her was great. she was force fetched very well and very good on her obedience. It has been easy to continue her training when he laid down such a solid base to work with.”

– Adam Bally http://www.gundogbreeders.com/breeders-texas/trigger-time-kennels.html

Brian Johnson at Duck Dog Trainer

Location: Winnie, Texas

Website: https://duckdogtrainer.com

Facebook: DuckDogTrainer

Duck Dog Trainer offers a wide variety of retriever training programs, including basic and advanced retriever training. Under duck dog trainer Brian Johnson’s experienced guidance, many dogs have gone on to score Master Hunters and Hunting Retriever Champions.

One of their special programs gives dogs the opportunity to participate in real-world tests to obtain Duck Dog Certification. “All of our testing takes place in wetlands, out of duck blinds with multiple gunners and fast action shooting at fresh birds. We feel like that since this is how you will use your dog, testing the dog in this environment is the best way to gauge their performance.”

Here’s what real clients are saying about Duck Dog Trainer:

“I've known Brian Johnson for years. He is a top notch trainer and an even better man. Everything Brian says he will do, he does. His training facilities, training ponds and duck blinds are awesome.”

– Dominic Menard https://bestdogkennels.info/yp/duck-dog-trainer-13659-todd-road-winnie.html

“The dogs that Brian has trained for me are very well trained and listen to commands without hesitation. I often hunt around other dogs, which were not trained by Brian, and the difference is daylight and dark.”

– Charlie V. https://duckdogtrainer.com/testimonials/

“Great guy, better trainer! Fantastic facility for turning a good dog into a hunting machine that is a pleasure to be in the blind with. No regrets...great investment!”

– MrScott4820 https://bestdogkennels.info/yp/duck-dog-trainer-13659-todd-road-winnie.html

Danny Farmer at Vinwood Kennels

Location: Anderson, Texas

Website: http://www.dannyfarmer.com/dannyfarmer.com/Retriever_Training_Home.html

Facebook: VinwoodRetrievers

Few hunting dog trainers are as accomplished as Danny Farmer. Since 1981, he has competed in every National Open, and is the current record holder for 3 wins. On average, he qualifies 5 dogs per year and is tied for the record of 9 qualified dogs. Not only does Danny kick butt in the competition field, he’s an excellent hunt dog trainer with a long list of winning four-legged clients.

Vinwood Kennels’ large training grounds includes three ponds and tree-covered terrain, offering the perfect learning environment for world class field dogs, gun dogs, and hunt test retrievers.

Here’s what real clients are saying about Vinwood Kennels:

“Danny Farmer, still the hardest working man that I've ever known. I can honestly say a dog or a young man couldn't find a more loyal friend. Thanks for never giving up and turning your back on me.”

– Donnie Smith https://www.facebook.com/pg/VinwoodRetrievers/reviews/

“Won of the best.” – Dennis Barth