About River Retriever Kennels, LLC

Who runs it

Rebecca, who the site's own client reviews name as Rebecca Cassidy. Her background is set out in full: "Rebecca graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a focus on Animal Health Technology… she earned her degree and continued to work as a Veterinary Technologist at a local veterinary clinic. During her college experience, she learned proper handling/restraint, medical care, as well as, animal behavior. She has over 14 years experience in boarding, animal technology, and training." Before this business she "worked as an office manager, dog trainer and performed hydrotherapy for dogs."

When and where it started

"In October of 2018, River Retriever Kennels was officially a business owned by Rebecca. Over the next two years, she needed to expand and have more space. She relocated to her current location in January of 2021."

The facility

Described item by item: "She has a 10 acre facility in Lone Oak. There are 3 training ponds, 2 outdoor fenced in areas, 1 large indoor play area, training room, indoor/outdoor kennels all climate controlled, a large suite area climate controlled, a bathing room, and a separate room for cat condos!"

What the training covers

Three formats. A "30 minute private class, once a week… very beneficial for your younger dogs that are in need of basic obedience and minimal behavior modifications." A "1 hour, once a week class for the more advanced dogs… in the gun dog/retriever training program or dogs that are being specialized." And in-house training, which "can be applied for any stage of training from basic obedience, specialty training, and our gun dog/retriever program," including house-training and socialization while the dog is there. All of it starts the same way: "All of our training services begins with obedience on leash. We work on heel, sit, stay, down, recall… and place training at different distances. Once everything is proficient on leash, we transition to off leash training." Behavior work covers "jumping… nipping and biting," with advice on "the best housing methods for your dog at home, proper nutrition and exercise."

Gun dogs and specialisms

"She trains all breeds of dogs for basic obedience, retriever training, and some service dog training… She specializes in retriever/gun dog training for hunting, blood tracking and shed hunting." The site also notes she "has trained using English, German, and Czech commands."

Certification on site

"We offer a certification for those who choose for a Canine Good Citizen certificate. We also have two Canine Good Citizen Evaluators, Rebecca and Whitney."

Entry requirements

Stated as a hard gate: training starts "as early as, 12 weeks of age as long as the dog has had at least 3 puppy boosters," and all services require rabies within the year "administered by a vet," bordetella "within the last 6 MONTHS" and DA2PPv within the year, with the kennel able to administer the latter two.

Everything else

Boarding, full and half daycare, baths and Labrador breeding, plus local transport: "River Retriever Kennels has partnered with the Bark Bus for local transport to and from kennel facilities, grooming businesses and veterinary clinics."

Where it is

"5796 Old Mayfield Rd, Paducah, KY 42003," open "Monday – Friday 8:00am-11:30am & 1:00pm-5:00pm" and in three short windows at weekends.

A note on one number

The training page states a 12-week, three-booster minimum, while the site's own summary of that page says "as early as, 10 weeks of age… at least 2 puppy boosters." Both are the business's own wording; the stricter figure is the one on the training page itself.

Before you book

Ask about training prices.