Serving Waynesville, Asheville & Western North Carolina

(828) 508-4448

C
Crabtree Retrievers Waynesville, NC
Retriever & Gun Dog Training | Crabtree Retrievers & Kennels | Waynesville, NC
🏆 AKC & UKC Hunt Test Prep

Professional Retriever & Gun Dog Training

From basic obedience to titled hunt test dogs. Your retriever was born for this. We build the skills, the drive, and the discipline to get them there.

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20+ Years Experience
4.9★ Google Rating
All Breeds Obedience Training
🏠 On-site training fields & pond
🐶 All breeds welcome for obedience
🏆 AKC JH through MH prep
📍 Clyde, NC (near Waynesville)
Why Crabtree
Training built on real results, not gimmicks.

There are trainers who teach tricks. And there are trainers who build dogs. We build dogs that perform in the field, at the test line, and at home. Here is what sets our programs apart.

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Property Built for Training

Our facility sits on acreage with open training fields, a dedicated training pond, and an indoor classroom for seminars. Your dog trains in the same terrain types they will encounter in real hunting and test scenarios.

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Structured, Progressive Programs

Every program follows a clear progression from foundation skills through advanced work. No guesswork. No shortcuts. Your dog advances when they are ready, not when a calendar says so.

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Retriever Breed Expertise

Labs, Goldens, Chesapeakes, Flat-Coats, Tollers. We understand the breed-specific drives, temperaments, and training approaches that produce reliable gun dogs. We also work with Boykin Spaniels and other sporting breeds.

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AKC & UKC Title Track

Our programs align directly with AKC and UKC hunt test standards. We do not just train your dog to retrieve. We train them to the specific skills, steadiness, and discipline evaluated at each title level.

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Owner Involvement Welcome

We believe the best results come when owners are part of the process. Visit during training. Ask questions. Attend seminars. Your go-home transition session ensures you can maintain and build on everything your dog has learned.

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Small Kennel, Personal Attention

We are not a factory. Every dog in our program gets individual attention and training tailored to their specific needs, temperament, and pace. You will always know who is working with your dog and how they are progressing.

Training Programs
Find the right program for your dog.

Every dog is different. Our programs are built around your dog’s temperament, breed, age, and goals. From a well-mannered house dog to a titled gun dog competing at the highest levels.

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All Breeds

Basic Obedience Training

A good reason to teach your dog basic obedience is that it creates clear communication and trust, which leads to a safer, happier life for both you and your dog. Obedience training is the foundation of every program we offer, and it is open to all breeds and ages.

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Sit, stay, down, come, and leave it. The five core commands every dog needs to be safe and reliable at home and in public.
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Heel and leash manners. No more pulling, lunging, or dragging you down the sidewalk. Structured walks on a loose leash.
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Reliable recall. Your dog comes when called. Every time. This is the single most important safety skill any dog can learn.
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Impulse control and manners. No jumping on guests, no counter surfing, no bolting through doors. Calm, confident behavior in real situations.
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Real-world proofing. Commands are not just practiced in a training yard. We proof behaviors around distractions, other dogs, and environments your dog will actually encounter.
📅 4-8 sessions typical
🐶 All breeds, any age
💰 From $75/session
Get Started
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Ages 8 Weeks+

Puppy Foundation Program

The first 16 weeks of a puppy’s life are the most critical window for learning and socialization. Our puppy foundation program builds the confidence, manners, and early skills your puppy needs to become a well-adjusted adult dog, whether they are headed for the couch or the field.

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Socialization with people and dogs. Controlled exposure to new environments, sounds, surfaces, and situations during the critical socialization window.
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Crate training and housebreaking. Building a positive association with the crate and establishing a consistent housebreaking routine.
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Bite inhibition and mouthing. Teaching your puppy to control the pressure of their mouth, one of the most important lessons a young dog can learn.
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Foundation commands. Sit, come, name recognition, and early leash introduction in a positive, low-pressure environment.
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Sporting breed puppy development. For retriever and sporting breed puppies, we introduce early concepts like feather exposure, water confidence, clipped-wing pigeons, and gentle sound conditioning to build drive and confidence for future field work.
📅 4-8 sessions typical
🐶 All breeds, 8 weeks+
💰 From $75/session
Start Your Puppy Right
Gun dog foundation training at Crabtree Retrievers and Kennels in Clyde NC
Foundation

Gun Dog Foundation Training

Your dog will begin with a solid foundation in basic obedience before progressing into gun dog training over a 5 to 6 month program. This is designed to prepare dogs for an AKC Junior Hunter or UKC Started Hunter title, with the expectation that they can successfully pass tests when handled by an experienced handler.

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Complete obedience foundation. Before any field work begins, your dog must be solid on all basic commands. This is the platform everything else is built on.
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Hold conditioning and force fetch. Depending on the dog’s needs, proper introduction to the trained retrieve. Your dog will learn to pick up, hold, and deliver bumpers and birds to hand reliably.
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E-collar conditioning. Depending on the dog’s needs, proper introduction to the e-collar as a communication tool for distance work. Not a punishment device. A precision communication tool.
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Steadiness to shot. Your dog will learn to remain seated and calm at the sound of gunfire, waiting for the command to retrieve. This is the foundation of every reliable retrieve.
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Single retrieves on land and water. Marking the fall, driving to the bird, picking it up cleanly, and delivering to hand across both terrain types. Real birds, real water, real conditions.
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Water confidence and swimming. Systematic introduction to water work, building from shallow entries to full water retrieves with proper technique and drive.
📅 5-6 months
🐶 Retrievers & sporting breeds
🏆 AKC JH / UKC Started prep
Discuss Your Dog’s Program
Chesapeake Bay Retriever jumping into the pond during advanced gun dog training at Crabtree Kennels
Elite Performance

Advanced Gun Dog Training

Do you want to see what your dog is truly capable of? Dogs in this program learn to run multiple retrieves, execute blind retrieves on both land and water, and honor other working dogs in realistic hunting and test scenarios. This level of training represents the pinnacle of gun dog development and requires several months of consistent work.

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Multiple marked retrieves. Double and triple marks. Your dog must remember where each bird fell and retrieve them one at a time, in sequence, across varying distances and terrain.
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Blind retrieves on land and water. Directing your retriever to birds they did not see fall using hand signals and whistle commands. This is the most demanding and impressive skill a gun dog can master.
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Honoring. Sitting steady and quiet while another dog works. Rock-solid composure under the highest level of distraction. This separates good dogs from truly finished dogs.
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Complex hunting scenarios. Real-world setups that simulate what your dog will face in the duck blind, the field, flooded timber, and at the test line.
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Advanced whistle and casting work. Sit/stop whistle, come-in whistle, and directional casting (over left, over right, back) for precise handling on blind retrieves at distance.
📅 Several months (ongoing)
🐶 Retrievers & sporting breeds
🏆 AKC SH/MH · UKC Seasoned/Finished

Come visit us and see the difference. Schedule a demonstration and watch your dog’s potential come to life.

Schedule a Demonstration
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Immersive

Board & Train

Leave your dog with us for an immersive training experience. Board and train is the most effective way to build skills quickly because your dog is living in a structured training environment every day, not just for an hour a week. We combine full boarding at our facility with daily structured training sessions, socialization, and real-world practice.

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Two training sessions daily. Morning and afternoon sessions keep your dog engaged and progressing consistently throughout their stay.
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Full boarding included. Climate-controlled kennels, structured exercise, and daily care at our facility. Your dog is safe, comfortable, and supervised.
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Progress updates. You will receive updates on your dog’s development so you always know where they stand and what they are working on.
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Go-home transition session. Before you pick up your dog, we walk you through everything they have learned. We teach you the commands, the handling, and the maintenance so the training sticks at home.
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Obedience or gun dog focus. Board and train is available for basic obedience, puppy foundation, and all retriever programs. We tailor the daily training to your dog’s specific program.
📅 2-week minimum recommended
🐶 All breeds (obedience) / Sporting breeds (gun dog)
💰 From $900/week
Check Availability
Basset Hound during private training session at Crabtree Retrievers and Kennels
One-on-One

Private Training Lessons

One-on-one sessions tailored to your specific goals. Whether you need help with a behavioral issue, want to prepare for a hunt test, or are a retriever owner who wants to learn to handle your own dog at the test line, private lessons give you focused, individual attention.

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Specific goal training. We focus on exactly what you need, whether that is a single problem behavior or a complex handling skill.
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Handler coaching. For retriever owners who want to run their own dog at AKC or UKC hunt tests, we teach you the handling, the line mechanics, and the field strategy.
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Homework plans. Every session ends with clear, specific exercises to practice at home between lessons so progress continues between visits.
📅 Flexible scheduling
🐶 Any breed, any goal
💰 From $95/session
Book a Session
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Community

Seminars & Training Groups

Learn alongside other handlers in a supportive group environment. Our facility includes an indoor classroom space for seminars and ample outdoor training grounds for group field work. These sessions are a great way to see experienced retrievers work, learn new techniques, and get your dog comfortable working around other dogs and handlers.

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Indoor classroom seminars. Educational sessions covering training theory, AKC/UKC test standards, field strategy, and dog health topics.
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Group field training days. Work your dog alongside others in structured field sessions. Great for proofing skills around distractions and building test-day composure.
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Guest speakers and events. We host breed clubs and organizations at our facility, including recent events with the Smoky Mountain Boykin Spaniel Group.
📅 Scheduled throughout the year
🐶 All levels welcome
📞 Contact us for current schedule
Ask About Upcoming Events
AKC Hunt Test Titles
The path from foundation to finished.

AKC Retriever Hunting Tests evaluate your dog against a standard, not against other dogs. Every dog that meets the standard passes. Here is what each level requires and what our programs prepare your dog to accomplish.

Level 1
Junior Hunter (JH)
  • Single marked retrieves on land
  • Single marked retrieves on water
  • Marking ability and desire
  • Perseverance on retrieve
  • Style and enthusiasm
  • Trainability and willingness
4 passes required
Level 2
Senior Hunter (SH)
  • Double and triple marked retrieves
  • Blind retrieves on land and water
  • Steadiness to shot and fall
  • Honoring another working dog
  • Delivery to hand
  • Advanced marking and memory
5 passes required (with JH)
Level 3
Master Hunter (MH)
  • Complex multiple marks at distance
  • Demanding blind retrieves, land & water
  • Walk-up with diversion birds
  • Honoring off-leash
  • Extreme steadiness and control
  • Highest standard of performance
6 passes required (with SH)

We also prepare dogs for UKC/HRC Hunting Retriever tests at the Started, Seasoned, and Finished levels. Eligible breeds include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Flat-Coated Retrievers, Curly-Coated Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels, and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.

What Your Dog Will Learn
Eight core skills every trained dog leaves with.
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Reliable Recall
Comes when called, every single time, under any distraction.
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Leash Manners
Walks at your side without pulling, lunging, or dragging.
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Steady Stay
Holds position until released, even with distractions around them.
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Impulse Control
No jumping, no counter surfing, no bolting through open doors.
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Water Confidence
Comfortable and driven in water, from pond entries to full retrieves.
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Marking
Watches the fall, locks in on the location, and drives straight to it.
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Hand Signals
Responds to directional casting for blind retrieves at distance.
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Whistle Response
Sit/stop whistle and come-in whistle at any distance, without hesitation.

Not every dog works on all eight skills. Obedience dogs focus on the first four. Gun dog programs build through all eight progressively.

A Day in Training
What a typical board & train day looks like.

Your dog is not just sitting in a kennel. Every day is structured around training, exercise, and rest. Here is what a typical day looks like for a dog in our board and train program.

Morning
6:30 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Turnout, feeding, and kennel cleaning
  • Morning training session (obedience or field work)
  • Water work or pond sessions (weather permitting)
  • Free run and exercise on the property
Afternoon
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Rest period and quiet kennel time
  • Afternoon training session
  • Socialization or group interaction
  • Skill-specific drills and proofing
Evening
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Final turnout and exercise
  • Evening feeding
  • Settle and quiet kennel routine
  • Climate-controlled overnight rest
Investment
Training that pays for itself.

A well-trained dog is safer, happier, and easier to live with. A titled gun dog is a partner you can count on in the field for years. These are placeholder prices. Call or text for current rates based on your dog and your goals.

Foundation
Obedience & Puppy
All breeds. Basic obedience or puppy foundation.
$75 / session
  • Private one-on-one session
  • All breeds and ages
  • Core commands and manners
  • Homework plan after each session
  • Board & train option available
Get Started
Gun Dog
Retriever Training
Sporting breeds. Field training, hunt test prep.
$95 / session
  • 1.5-hour field session
  • Land and water work
  • AKC / UKC hunt test prep
  • Progress evaluations
  • Board & train option available
Start Training
Immersive
Board & Train
Full boarding + daily training. The fastest path to results.
$900 / week
  • Boarding included
  • 2 training sessions daily
  • Regular progress reports
  • Go-home session with owner
  • 2-week minimum recommended
Discuss Your Dog
All prices are placeholder examples. Actual rates depend on the program, the dog, and the goals. Multi-dog families and long-term training commitments may qualify for adjusted rates. Call or text (828) 508-4448 for current pricing and availability.
How It Works
Getting started is simple.
1

Call or Text Us

Tell us about your dog, their breed, age, and what you want to accomplish. We will help you figure out the right program.

2

Visit the Facility

Come see where your dog will train. Meet us, walk the property, see the fields and the pond. Bring your dog so we can evaluate them in person.

3

Training Begins

We build your dog’s program around their specific needs and your goals. Progress is tracked and communicated so you always know where things stand.

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Go-Home & Follow-Up

We teach you everything your dog has learned. Clear handling instructions, maintenance exercises, and ongoing support to keep the training sharp.

Questions & Answers
Common questions about training.
We train all breeds for basic obedience and puppy foundation. Our retriever and gun dog programs are designed for Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Flat-Coated Retrievers, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, and other AKC-eligible sporting breeds. If you are not sure whether your dog is a good fit for a specific program, just call and ask.
The gun dog foundation program runs approximately 5 to 6 months. This covers basic obedience, hold conditioning and force fetch, e-collar conditioning, steadiness to shot, and single retrieves on land and water. Advanced gun dog training builds on this foundation over additional months depending on your dog’s progress, drive, and your goals. Every dog moves at their own pace.
Dogs completing the gun dog foundation program are prepared to pass AKC Junior Hunter (JH) or UKC Started Hunter tests when handled by an experienced handler. The advanced program prepares dogs for AKC Senior Hunter (SH) and Master Hunter (MH) titles, as well as UKC Seasoned and Finished levels. We can also prepare you to handle your own dog at tests through our private lesson program.
Board and train is the most effective way to build skills quickly. Your dog lives at our facility and trains twice daily in a structured environment. It is especially valuable for gun dog programs where daily consistency matters. A dog training every day for two weeks will progress faster than a dog training once a week for four months. We recommend a minimum of two weeks for obedience and longer for gun dog work. You receive progress updates and a thorough go-home session.
Most retrievers and sporting breeds can begin foundation gun dog training once they have basic obedience skills and are at least 6 months old. Puppies younger than 6 months benefit from our puppy foundation program, which introduces early concepts like bird exposure, water confidence, and socialization. We evaluate every dog individually. If your dog has drive and desire, we can get them started.
Yes. Our basic obedience and puppy foundation programs are open to all breeds. We work with everything from German Shepherds to Doodles to mixed breeds. The retriever-specific gun dog programs are designed for AKC sporting breeds, but we are always happy to talk through your specific situation. Call us and tell us about your dog.
All dogs must be current on Rabies, DHLPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza), and Bordetella (Kennel Cough). We also require current flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. As required by North Carolina state law, all dogs must have proof of current rabies vaccination. Please email your shot records before your dog’s first session or drop-off.
Yes. We host seminars and training group sessions at our facility, which includes an indoor classroom space, open training fields, and a dedicated training pond. These are great opportunities to learn alongside other handlers, watch experienced retrievers work, and get your dog comfortable in a group setting. We also host breed clubs and events. Contact us for the current schedule.
Basic obedience and puppy sessions start at $75 per session. Retriever field training and private lessons start at $95 per session. Board and train programs start at $900 per week. All pricing depends on the specific program, your dog’s current skill level, and your training goals. The prices listed on this page are placeholder examples. Call or text us at (828) 508-4448 for a personalized quote.
We are located at 686 Ridgedale Rd in Clyde, NC, just minutes from Waynesville and about 30 minutes west of Asheville. Our property includes open training fields, a dedicated training pond, and indoor classroom space for seminars. People bring their dogs to us from across Western North Carolina and beyond.

Ready to get started?

Call or text us to discuss your dog, your goals, and the right program. We will set up a time for you to visit the facility and see what we can do.

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(828) 508-4448