About Cross Creek Kennel

Retriever and obedience training in Crockett

Cross Creek Kennel is a family-owned dog training kennel in Crockett that specializes in gun dog retriever training and pet obedience, and it serves dog owners locally and across Texas. Whether the goal is a hunting dog, a family dog or a hunting and competition dog, the kennel offers a matching program. Obedience training is offered for medium to large breed dogs, and boarding is available for most medium to large breeds.

The trainer

Matt Larkin purchased Cross Creek Kennel, Inc. in 1995 after managing it for five years while studying at Stephen F. Austin State University. He has been professionally training dogs for 31 years, and Cross Creek credits his program with numerous AKC and UKC Hunt Test titles for retrievers. His wife Helena manages the office and assists with kennel operations.

Programs and facility

Programs include basic gun dog training, obedience training, intermediate casting and handling for experienced dogs, AKC/UKC hunt test training, a puppy head start and a pre-season tune-up. The kennel describes itself as a smaller facility, which leaves quality time with each dog every day, with kennels on a thirty-acre property and access to training areas nearby. Cross Creek also breeds Labrador Retrievers.

What to ask

Ask about program lengths, pricing and current openings for training or boarding.