Dana Giovannello
Cabot, AR
Background
Dana has been training and hunting with dogs for some 30 years. He began in New Hampshire hunting pheasants, woodcocks, grouse, and ducks with his Brittany spaniel, Maize. They moved to Alaska and stayed for 6 years, then to Idaho for 3 years, before finally settling in Arkansas. Maize hunted with Dana, regardless of the game Dana asked him to retrieve.
Dana has been training and competing with retrievers for over 17 years, having trained numerous retrievers to their Hunting Retriever (HR), Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH), Upland Hunter (UH), Grand Hunting Retriever Champion (GRHRCH) and Master Hunter (MH) titles. He competed in the Super Retriever Series qualifier in March 2003 and came second, which qualified him for the 2003 ESPN Great Outdoor Games. At the GOG in Reno, Windy and Dana set the all-time lowest single round record in a GOG event with a score of 2 points, finishing in 8th place. They came 7th in the Super Retriever Series in Middleburg, Virginia recently and competed in the World Retriever Championship in Oxford, Mississippi, reaching the sixth series. He has been a UKC licensed judge since 1992 and has also judged the 2004 Great Outdoor Games in Madison, Wisconsin and two Super Retriever Series events.
Why I Use SportDOG Brand
There is an old saying, ‘Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.’ I didn’t think any electronic collar could compare to the products I had used in the past, especially with regard to cost, quality and reliability. A training mate was using the SD-400S and I gave it a go. I was astounded by the size of the collar and transmitter and the punch it packed. For the average Joe who is looking to train one, 10 or more dogs, SportDOG has a quality collar for his or her needs at a price that won’t break the bank, and their customer service is second to none.
Favourite Products
For everyday training I like the FieldTrainer400S and WetlandHunter® 1825. I also like the Deluxe Bark Collar (SBC-18). I have a dog on my trailer who thinks every mark should be his and the SBC-18 keeps him quiet and relaxed.
Other Senior Prostaff
Mark Van Zee
Mark owns and operates Drake Creek Kennels in Lincoln, NE. A retriever training kennel with a focus on Hunt Test level retrievers & waterfowl hunting dogs.
David Molyneaux
Dave is a judge for AKC pointing and retriever hunt tests as well as the North American Hunting Retriever Association. During the summer months, he conducts (Utility) North American Versatile Hunting Retriever Association classes on one of his advanced retriever ponds. To his credit, he has titled several AKC Masters...
Derek Randle
Derek’s extensive background in retriever training began 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,...
