About Cripple Creek Retrievers

Retriever training in Decatur

Cripple Creek Retrievers is a retriever training kennel at 625 County Road 4223 in Decatur. It works toward each client's goal, whether that is a hunting companion or a Master National Qualifier, and helps from puppy selection through teaching owners to handle their newly trained retriever. The team aims for a happy, healthy dog that enjoys learning and bonds with both the trainers and the owner.

The team

Owner and head trainer JC Strange has 20 years of experience training and handling retrievers professionally and focuses on advanced training and competition dogs while overseeing all training from obedience to finished field work. Abi Strange, owner and head administrator, handles billing, scheduling and the whelping service. Garrett Davis, who joined in 2025 with 5 years of experience, is the foundation and competitive trainer.

Programs

Programs build on one another. Basic and advanced obedience aim at a well-behaved family dog, teaching sit, here, heel, stay, down and kennel. Basic Gun Dog builds on obedience with collar conditioning, force fetch, steadiness, marking and hunting-situation prep. Competitive Hunt Test training prepares dogs for AKC Hunt Test titles from Junior Hunter to Master National Hunter. A whelping service, started in 2015, raises and places client litters.

What to ask

Ask about program length, fees and when your dog can start. Phone 817-475-6948.