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
Bret Wonnacott
The first time my childhood eyes saw a bird dog on point, I was hooked. A dog frozen in time, nostrils flaring, mouth tasting the scent of the bird that he lives for, and yet resisting by instinct the urge to pounce and flush was the most fascinating and beautiful...
Billy Mosley
He decided to take the plunge and train retrievers full time. Billy has successfully trained and titled dogs in all levels of HRC hunt tests, as well as trained gun dogs and taught basic obedience for companion dogs. Billy has also competed in SRS events as well...
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.
