About River Bend Retrievers

Retriever and obedience training in Elk Point

River Bend Retrievers in Elk Point is a small, home-based training and boarding facility that develops confident, obedient and reliable dogs for the field and the home. Its training is relationship-based and built on positive reinforcement, clarity and consistency: "yes" means yes and "no" means no. Goals range from Hunting Retriever Champion titles to better communication for families at home.

The team

Tianna Westendorf grew up hunting upland birds and waterfowl and learned the value of structure, obedience and clarity during her time at FR Labs in Britton. Tony Stokely brings experience in obedience and gundog training and a calm, methodical approach.

Programs

Retriever training, the most popular program, covers on- and off-lead obedience, bird work and gunfire introduction, is tailored for upland or waterfowl hunting, and teaches trained retrieves, upland quartering, steadiness at the bucket and retrieving from a dog blind. All Age Obedience comes as Day School or Board and Train and covers socialization, jumping, leash pulling, sit, down, place, recall and leash manners. A Smart Start Puppy Program is offered, and boarding has limited spots, with optional tune-up sessions for graduates.

What to ask

Ask about program pricing and the Smart Start Puppy Program.