About Harpeth River Kennels

Who they are

Harpeth River Kennels is a small, family-run kennel in Dickson founded by David Spaulding. The site credits him with "over a decade of dedication in Developing programs for Obedience Training, Retriever Training, Upland Training, and Scent Detection". His route here is on the About page: he took a job with a local kennel during college and, "After 11 years of honing his skills he decided to move back home and open what would be known as Harpeth River Kennels."

Where they work

The kennel is at 1535 Duke Loop in Dickson, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. The site describes "a small, family-owned business in Middle Tennessee" and says "Being a small kennel allows us to give each dog more than adequate time and care needed".

What they offer

Two main lines. The obedience program is "a obedience program that can be shaped for the individual needs of our clients" — typically a six to eight week board program covering sit, here, on and off leash heeling, down, stay, place, no jumping, waiting at doorways, going into a kennel and honoring other dogs, with the owner "shown, taught and given all information needed when dog is at home."

The retriever program is the house specialty: "Harpeth River's backbone and passion is in its Retriever Training program." The published finishing standard includes formal obedience, working multiple marks on land and water, steadiness to shot, mouth conditioning, working off dog stands, boats, blinds and pits, honoring other dogs, and being "E-Collar conditioned with very light use to keep a happy and bold dog". Advanced work adds three-way casting, pile work, pattern blinds, T drill on land and water and cold blinds. Upland work is offered with live birds on site, and there is a scent-detection line.

How they train

Individually, and the site says so twice: "Each dog is to each their own and that must be taken into consideration when working with them", and "You can not fit a square peg in a round hole is the foundation for our training program."

Worth knowing

Ask about prices when you call. The kennel also breeds British Labradors and offers started dogs and imports, which is a separate business line from client training.