Blackbelt Retrievers

Derek Meyer

2024-01

Blackbelt retrievers did a phenomenal job training Gunner. He’s the best family dog we could have ever gotten and an amazing hunting dog. I mention that because it is rare to get both and their obedience foundation was not only critical for hunting but for the home too. They take great care of the dogs. In fact, we went to get him food at a dog store right after getting him back and they didn’t have what Brandon feeds them. When we returned to the counter, the owner had looked up the ingredients and said, “Holy cow. That is some incredible dog food. Better than any we sell but it is expensive.” Which was a nice compliment to know our dog was fed the best. We will be sending Gunner back for some tune up prior to next duck season. Lastly, the communication is second to none. You’ll get updates, check ins and even videos. We highly recommend BB retrievers.

Kevin Davis

2023-11

Maggie , my 18month old lab, just finished 8 months of training with Mark and Brandon. I could not be more pleased with them or Maggie's results. We did basic obedience training, thanks JD, and then moved to retriever training. Mark kept me informed throughout the process with text and videos. In the beginning, i would make the two hour trip from my home to see Maggie about once a month. Mark always took the time to go over what Maggie was doing and then would "train" me in how to handle her . Towards the end I would bring Maggie home for the weekend. I was given complete access to my dog to come as go as I could. They always made sure she was bathed on the days I would pick her up. They addressed any of my concerns and answered all of my many questions. Obviously, if you have gotten this far in a search for a trainer, you know that it is not cheap, I totally feel like it was money well spent. I have a dog who trust me and minds me, and I can hunt with with confidence. As good a trainers as Mark and Brandon are, I feel like they are better men. You can tell they care about the dog and the customer. They make you feel like old friends. I cannot recommend them enough. Job well done!!!ThanksKevin Davis

Justin Gentry

2023-11

Had my dog, (Roxy) at BlackBelt Retrievers from mid April 2023 to end of October around 6.5 months and she went through the obedience training followed by the basic retriever trying, then on to the transition retriever training man what a job they did she is doing fantastic and will be sending her back for finished retriever training in the spring of 24. Also both Mark and Brandon are great guys to deal with and will take time to show you tips and correct stuff that they see you might be doing wrong to make the greatest retriever you are expecting. 💯 % satisfied!!

Haley Montgomery

2023-10

Can’t express our gratitude for this place anymore than I already have. Our dog stayed for four months during his training. When I went to pick him up, Mr. Mark spent over an hour with me on all of his training & making sure I was comfortable enough bringing Natty back home & continuing his training with us. I noticed a huge difference within our lab while I was there watching him go over everything before bringing him home. Very informative & enjoys what he does! He kept us updated throughout the months on our lab’s progress as well, which we were so thankful for! We can’t wait to get him out on the field & watch him work!!

Matthew Cook

2023-12

I highly recommend Blackbelt Retrievers to anyone looking to get a gun dog trained. Very clean and professional operation. Brandon is great with communication from the very beginning all the way to working with the dog at home. He made a point to send update videos regularly and answer any questions. Brandon took my lab thru the 6mo. transition program and my expectations were exceeded. 100% recommend

Garrett M

2024-04

Brandon and Mark are amazing to work with! They definitely know what they're doing and produce some of the best family gun dogs around. 10/10 can't recommend these guys enough for any of your dog training needs!

Jake Teter

2023-05

Can’t recommend Blackbelt Retrievers enough. I have a 8 1/2 month old German Shephard who was an energetic nut ball before she went to training. I sent her off for 8 weeks and she came home a different dog. Thank you Mark and Brandon. You made my life a lot easier.

Laurie Willingham

2024-01

I took my boy Toby (10 month old Golden Doodle) out for a little help with obedience. Within 5 minutes Brandon had him behaving like a dream. More importantly, Brandon explained to me exactly what he was doing step by step and the reason behind it… how the dog comprehended commands and why what I had been doing was unsuccessful. He made it so easy for me to take what I learned and continue training. Blackbelt Retrievers is an excellent, caring facility and they are passionate about what they do, not only for the dogs but for the owners. Thank y’all so much!!

Ryan Buckley

2023-09

Can’t thank Mr. Brandon & Mark enough for having us over this past weekend picking up my pup. Very nice and welcoming people. I had Nala trained by Anthony (BBR Great Lakes) out in Wisconsin, stays in communication with you well along with constant updates on your pups progress. Can’t thank Anthony and the rest of blackbelts staff enough for an awesome weekend out in Alabama, for delivering a well trained dog right before season.Photo: I wanted to get a photo of Nala and her siblings before departure on Sunday night.

Double P Ranch

2023-11

We are a South Dakota Pheasant Hunting lodge. We got a beautiful black lab from Blackbelt Retrievers for this season. Anthony with Blackbelt in Wisconsin trained the dog this summer. She is already in the field and we can say we are more than impressed. Not only does she have a wonderful temperament but she is an absolute rockstar in the field. She's barely a year old. We highly recommend Blackbelt.

Kelly Hempel

2023-11

I highly recommend BlackBelt Retrievers they are second to none. My boy ( Ruger) has been with them Oct 7th, 2023. Through training we have had some bull headed issues but they knew how to properly handle them at the time. Their staff is very caring of the clients / dogs they are loved. Always welcoming to let us visit our pup. They have always kept us informed and abreast to his training. Brandon and Mark truly care about what they do! 5 stars across the board. Today after my visit with Ruger he ran around for sometime and got tired, when he felt comfortable going into the office and grabbing his pig ear off the desk to sit down and chew it, I knew he was ready for more training. Do work guys and thanks for taking care of Ruger.

Sam Singer (Angel)

2023-05

I have had 2 hunting dogs trained by Brandon, Mark and Anthony. Just brought a third dog, for obedience training only. Amazing results. The first two are locked in on birds, the third is the best trained companion dog I've had. Can't recommend them enough.

Emma Caroline Sasser

2023-09

We had our Lab trained and when I tell you this was the best investment we ever made, it truly was. He attended the program over a year ago, and still to this day he can do every single thing he was taught. We still work with him on refreshing his commands and he is still as smart as the day he left. If you are looking for a good bird dog partner THIS IS THE PLACE! It is worth EVERY single penny! We are so thankful for Blackbelt Retrievers.

Summer V

2023-11

We dropped our puppy off in September for obedience training. We were promised frequent video updates. We asked twice for updates and did not get one either time. We asked again, and the video we received showed a scared, sickly dog that couldn’t do anything more than he could when we dropped him off. We decided to pick up our dog early, and upon getting him he is obviously under nourished and sick. He is skinny and has green snot coming out of his eyes and nose and can barely move around. This is unacceptable for any place that claims to take care of animals. Especially for the price you pay!

Jeremy Midkiff

2023-12

Just got back from Pheasant hunting in South Dakota, we had Anthony as our hunting guide with his Blackbelt Retrievers. Anthony and the dogs absolutely made the hunt, 100% would recommend Blackbelt Retrievers.

aarios0722

2023-06

Brough my German Shorthaired Pointer to them for the Retriever training program. The first 6 weeks is just obedience. When I went to visit after the first 3 weeks I already noticed a huge difference in how obedient she was. Visited several times throughout her time there and I was surprised every time. Just got her back home and she is super obedient. She loves to retrieve as well! When I dropped her off she wouldn’t even get in the water, now she is swimming great!! Mark spent time with Luna and I each visit and showed me what I needed to do when I get her back as well.

Ty Tyson

2023-06

I cannot recommend Blackbelt Retrievers enough. Mark and the entire staff at Blackbelt Retrievers were great to work with. They kept me posted on Poppy’s progress and the different disciplines she was working on. Her training exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to taker her hunting.

Coleman Stamps

2023-05

Cannot recommend Blackbelt retrievers enough. I bought a puppy from them in February, and ended up sending her back for obedience and force fetch in August. After getting her back in November she is very obedient and forced fetched. Brandon had great communication throughout the entire experience.

Jeff Sieben

2023-12

Anthony Cavalli-Singer Of Webster, Wisconsin trained and boarded our Wire Haired Pointing Griffon. Anthony met us after graduation from the University of Minnesota with a forestry degree. His passion for hunting dogs was clear the first time we met & he has been a great teacher for us and our dog.

Chase Dunham

2023-05

I took Coco my Original Mountain Cur to Mark for obedience training. There is nothing worse than a poor handling squirrel dog. He sent me regular video updates of the progress Coco was making. I was very impressed with the way Mark handled the dog. Coco was a completely different dog when I picked her up. So impressed. I highly recommend Blackbelt Retrievers

wayne holmes

2023-11

Hunted with Anthony in South Dakota over his Great Lakes dogs. They were flawless. Anthony has a way with dogs. Highly recommend

sam walton

2023-05

Our new puppy was totally out of control and we needed help. Big thanks to Brandon and Mark for working with us. Our dog came home absolutely more obedient, we were amazed. The whole family is now able to enjoy our new addition.

Karl Hale

2023-05

Meet the owners and team who will be training my son's GSP, Rocky, and they are well versed in training dogs.Their facility is top notch with kennels that are cleaned twice daily and beautiful lake the dogs are trained to retrieve from.I saw some of the dogs in training and they were performing very well.

Ryan Duvall

2018-05

I met Brandon several years ago at a hunt test. I liked the way he handled his dog and they seemed to work really good so I introduced myself and started asking questions. He helped me a lot that day and has answered many dog questions since. I left my dog Sprig with Brandon to do the finished retriever program and I don’t that I could have been any happier. He was always honest and and kept me informed on how training was going with pictures and videos. I would highly recommend Blackbelt Retrievers to anyone looking for a retriever trainer.

Taylor

2016-05

Brandon and Mark did an excellent job with my dog. Had our first hunt this weekend. The guide (not part of Blackbelt Retrievers) that went with us told me to set my expectations low since this was my dogs first hunt. Our group shot 10 teals, my dog found and retrieved all of them. The first of which was a blind retrieve with a wounded bird. Can't say enough about the confidence I have in my dog now. Great training guys, looking forward to many many more. I will be sending my next puppy to Blackbelt Retrievers.

Anthony Cavalli-Singer

2019-05

Mr Brandon and Mr Mark are not only excellent dog trainers but provide excellent customer service. They go above and beyond to make sure your retriever is working at its top level. I originally found them and sent one dog there and I liked them so much I bought a dog from them and had it trained there as well. If you want a great duck dog sent it to blackbelt!

Kristina Nottingham

2021-05

These guys really know what they're doing training dogs! My golden retriever is so well behaved now and listens to commands. They also send video updates and will answer any questions after they've returned home as well. I will be taking any future dogs to Blackbelt and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for basic obedience or furthering their training with hunting and retrieving.

j childs

2017-05

We sent our dog to blackbelt retrievers for obedience training and were amazed at the transformation! Mark and Brandon did a great job with Rocco. They exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend them.

Angie Barnett

2021-05

Hands down the most reliable and honest trainers in the south! I am so incredibly thankful for Brandon and his open, honest and candid feedback he provided through the entire process! If you are on the fence about dog training don’t wait, contact them today and give this team a chance!

Pat Mason

2022-05

Excellent dog trainers!!! Brandon is the dog whisperer. Takes good care of your animals. Answers questions quickly. He has great patience. Highly recommend.