About RAVE Retrievers

Gundog and obedience training in Charlotte

RAVE Retrievers is a hunting and obedience training business in Charlotte serving South Texas, run by Debra Lee and established in 1981. Typical clients come from San Antonio and Austin, and training ranges from the average companion dog needing obedience to the advanced gun dog retriever. Training grounds include lakes with islands, pit blinds, duck blinds and launch docks, and the team recreates hunting scenarios with boats and even kayaks.

Programs and prices

Private lessons cost $150 an hour and 8 group lessons cost $550. Boarding and training programs include Puppy Head Start (from $875 a month), Basic Gun Dog (3-4 months, from $950), Intermediate Gun Dog (3-4 months, $850-$950) covering blind handling, Force-To-Pile and the T drill, Advanced Gun Dog (4-6 months, $850-$950) and 1-3 month tune-ups before hunting season. Basic boarding costs $35 a day for yearly members and $45 for others, and a yearly club membership costs $2,800. RAVE also handles wild game tracking, offers S.T.A.R. Puppy, CGCU and Community Dog certifications, and gives discounts to first responders and military.

Getting started

A free introductory lesson and consultation is offered, and space is limited.

The RAVE approach

Debra's motto: "In order for a dog to learn and be happy to do it, the instruction must be fun and exciting!"