Jon-Michael Rull
Indianapolis, Indiana
Background
A dream kicked off one day in 2006 when Jon-Michael started watching a telly show that featured retrievers snagging bumpers from a fair dinkum distance and taking hand signals to rock up at a desired spot. From there, Jon-Michael decided he wanted to get a dog that could do just that! Four years on, he had trained (3x)GRHRCH Rull's Droppin' Ducks in Decoys MH and Deke had snagged a 16th, eighth and then fourth place finish in the SRS - and TV time. Since then, he's trained over 25 dogs for hunting and hunt tests, teaching retrievers and their owners to rack up heaps of titles and success in the bush.
Raised in Danville, Illinois, Jon-Michael joined the Air Force and has been on active duty since 2000. He's been stationed in Idaho, Alaska, South Dakota, Illinois and currently in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his missus, Amanda. He's had the chance to train dogs all over the shop; his passion is hunting for waterfowl with a top-notch retriever.
Why I Use SportDOG Brand
I've learnt that quality, yet affordable gear, is key to a successful training environment. With this in mind, SportDOG Brand is a STANDOUT. I've been very pleased with the workmanship of the products, and SportDOG proves to be worth the investment EVERY TIME, holding up extremely well in the field.
Favourite Products
There are two products that'll never leave my trailer. The first would have to be my SportDOG 2525 Series E-Collar; I need a system that works every time in all sorts of conditions. The controller's a simple design, fits well in your hand and the buttons are all in the right spots. This allows for corrections at the right time.
The second product is the SportDOG Launcher system. This system is well built and designed. The power behind this is a rechargeable Li-Ion battery that has more than 80 hours of battery life and three attention sounds, so you can customise your training setups. This system is the one for me!
Other Senior Prostaff
Mike Simmons
Mike's been training dogs for a bunch of years and's competed with his own dogs in UKC and AKC hunt tests. Plus, he trains client dogs for both gun dog (duck hunting) and all levels of hunt tests, UKC and AKC included. He's also an HRC AA licensed judge in...
Tom Dokken
Dokken brings over 45 years of retriever-training experience to the SportDOG team. He's well known as the inventor of Dokken’s Deadfowl Trainer, which has become standard gear for retriever trainers all over. He owns Dokken Dog Supply and Dokken’s Oak Ridge Kennels, the largest gun dog...
Derek Randle
Derek's extensive background in retriever training started with his co-ownership of War Eagle Retrievers, after which he designed and developed the first retriever training facility and lodge – The Retriever Academy, located in Miami Oklahoma. Through training and handling, Derek has achieved a multitude of the highest honours in the AKC,...
