About J & M Retrievers and Kennels

Boarding, grooming and training in Mountain Iron

J & M Retrievers and Kennels is a Mountain Iron boarding, grooming, training and breeding business owned by Jon and Michelle Benz. J & M Retrievers began with breeding and training, and the current facility, opened in November 2012, added boarding for all breeds. The owners cite more than 45 years of combined professional pet experience and an animal health background. Jon started working for a boarding and training facility at age 12; Michelle holds a bachelor's degree in the animal health field and trains horses for dressage.

Training programs

1 on 1 Training Sessions work like a class but with the trainer alone, so dogs avoid the distractions of a group. Basic obedience typically takes 4 or 5 sessions, and e-collar conditioning takes one session after the obedience program. Board and Train options include Basic Obedience (sit, here, heel and walking on a lead), E-collar Conditioning for off-lead work, which requires the in-facility obedience program first and is recommended for hunting dogs, and a Bird Dog Package that adds gun work and basic retrieving.

Facility

All-inclusive boarding includes climate-controlled kennels, four exercise times a day in a large natural grass play yard and indoor/outdoor kennels, and the Bark and Bath Dog Day Spa offers full-service grooming.

What to ask

Ask about training rates and program length for board and train.