Andy Fontenot
Winlock, WA
Background
Water Dog Kennels is located in Winlock, Washington, which is about 40 minutes south of Olympia. Most of their training happens in Lewis County on a bunch of different farms and offers some of the top training grounds in the state. They also train in Fall City, Washington one day a week so clients from up north can get there easily.
Andy's from Southeast Louisiana and has been training retrievers since he was a young bloke of 12. During that time, Andy worked with and learnt from the nationally recognised field trial trainer Mark Smith during two separate apprenticeships.
Andy's gained national recognition and trained over fifty UKC Championship Retrievers and AKC Master Hunters. He's had the honour of training the highest point Chesapeake Bay Retriever in HRC history, GRHRCH Sportsman’s Paradise Daisy Mae, as well as the first HRCH Irish Water Spaniel, HRCH Whistlestop’s Be All You Can Be. Andy has also trained and handled 6 different breeds to HRCH level. Plus, through Water Dog University, a training program for owners/handlers, Andy has personally coached and trained handlers with experience handling over 100 titled retrievers.
Why I Use SportDOG Brand
I use SportDOG Brand products 'cause I reckon they're innovative, durable and SportDOG's keen to back their gear with the top warranty in the business.
Favourite Products
I particularly like the SportDog 1825-- dynamite collar!
Other Senior Prostaff
Brian Szczech
Brian's been training retrievers for over thirty years. He's a member of and competes his dogs in the Hunting Retriever Club circuit. He's personally owned and trained 3 Grand Hunting Retriever Champions/Master Hunters, one being GR HR CH Super Shooter of Ontario MH Hall of Fame...
Ethan Kimmince
Ethan began his career in the zoo-keeping industry, spending nine years as a tiger handler at Australia Zoo. His expertise extends beyond big cats, having worked in Canada with bears, wolves, and cougars. After leaving the zoo world, he founded Wolf Within Dog Training, applying his deep understanding of animal behaviour, operant conditioning, and training science. In just five years, Wolf Within has become one of Queensland’s top-rated dog training companies, renowned for helping owners build stronger, more harmonious relationships with their beloved pets.
Rick Grant
With his wife Terri, Rick co-owns and operates Perfect 10 Kennel. Their business offers boarding, grooming, and retriever training. They also breed Labrador retrievers. Rick has 30 years of experience in retriever training, participating in everything from field trials to hunt tests to upland hunting competitions.
