About Rural Route Retrievers

<h2>Retriever training and boarding near Fairmount</h2><p>Rural Route Retrievers describes itself as "a family- and veteran-owned and operated kennel located near Fairmount, Illinois in southwest Vermilion County," east of Champaign-Urbana. It states its focus in one line: "Our focus is on training retrievers for hunting, however we also offer dog boarding for all breeds and board-and-train obedience training."</p><h3>Gun dog training</h3><p>The gun dog program is written for both ends of the market – "Whether you are looking to take your best friend and couch potato for a couple hunts a year or want a hard charging machine to chase those hunt test ribbons." Basic programs are described as teaching steadiness with gunfire and delivery of a bird to hand; advanced work covers marking multiple falls and running blind retrieves with hand signals. The site publishes the price: $800/month, which it says includes training, boarding, high-performance food, heartworm, flea and tick prevention and a physical performed by the veterinarian on site, with a three month minimum program.</p><h3>Obedience and boarding</h3><p>The obedience program is a board-and-train aimed at owners whose goal is "a well-mannered dog that you can enjoy on a leisurely walk," teaching sit, here, heel, down and "kennel" (place) at the dog's own pace; all breeds are welcome and the site gives it as a one-to-three-month program with pricing on request. Boarding is open to any size and breed, in individual kennels with elevated beds and frequent potty breaks – the page is candid that "We don't have fancy suites or TVs, but they will get lots of one-on-one time with us at no extra charge." Boarding is published at $30/dog per day, plus $5 per med administration, and books online. The facilities section describes a clean, heated kennel with elevated Kuranda beds and secure, rocked airing yards.</p><h3>The owner</h3><p>The about section names the owner and trainer as Jon-Michael Rull. It says the interest started "watching the Super Retriever Series on TV in 2006," which led to him training his first Labrador, Deke, to the titles of Grand Hunting Retriever Champion (HRC) and Master Hunter (AKC), and that "after retiring from the Air Force in 2022, opened Rural Route Retrievers in Fairmount, Illinois." The page says he has since "trained countless retrievers for hunting and hunt tests."</p><h3>Before drop-off</h3><p>The requirements page asks for proof of current vaccinations – Bordetella, rabies, distemper and parvo – at least ten days before drop-off, and says dogs cannot be dropped off without the documents. Separate training and boarding contracts are printable from the site and must be signed at drop-off. The footer identifies the business as a State of Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare licensed kennel operator.</p>