About Diamondback Kennels

Retriever training near Flandreau

Diamondback Kennels near Flandreau is a professional dog training facility founded by trainer Tigh Leibel, specializing in retriever training for upland and waterfowl hunting. It focuses on pointing Labs but also trains golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, Boykins and other retriever breeds, with programs for AKC and APLA hunt tests. Capacity is deliberately limited so each dog gets individualized attention.

The trainer

Tigh grew up on a cattle ranch in western South Dakota, earned three bachelor's degrees at Northern State University and worked seven years in cybersecurity before leaving banking in 2018 to train dogs. He says he has titled numerous dogs at the Master level, serves on the Board of Directors of the American Pointing Labrador Association and has judged its national event.

Method and pricing

He describes a method centered on rewards and healthy boundaries with the handler, balancing obedience and prey drive and introducing pressure gradually in controlled situations. A solid hunting foundation typically takes around 3 months, while upper-level hunt tests and national titles can take up to 3 years. Real birds are used, weekly updates are standard and visits are encouraged. Training is $940 per month, including training, boarding and food.

What owners say

One client wrote: "Tigh has a true passion of training & bringing out the intelligence & trainability in your dog."