About Layton Retriever Kennels

Retriever and gun dog training in Estacada

Layton Retrievers is a retriever and gun dog training facility on a spacious property in Estacada, about 45 minutes outside Portland. Owners Greg and Peri Layton opened it in 2012, specializing in professional waterfowl and upland retriever training and AKC hunt tests. Each dog gets an individualized program for its skill level, with clean, spacious kennels and room to work and play. They recommend leaving a hunting dog 3-5 months, communicate regularly about progress, suggest a month-long tune-up before hunting season and invite owners into the training.

Programs

Basic Obedience, based on the AKC Good Dog Citizen program, teaches heel, sit, come, down, off and place, usually over 2 to 3 months, for large breeds from show dogs to shelter rescues. Duck Dog Boot Camp covers collar conditioning, force fetch, double retrieves on land and water, steadiness to shot and handling in the field. Hunt Test Training prepares dogs for AKC Junior, Senior and Master titles.

What owners say

James Gray wrote: "I took my Belle to Greg for retriever training this spring and the transformation was amazing."

What to ask

Ask about pricing and program start dates.