FirstBark
I have been following Ryan's passion for training bird dogs for many years. After my last hunting dog, a Labrador, passed away in May 2025, I was ready for a change. Over the past several years, I had been doing much more upland hunting and had become very interested in owning a …Read full reviewClose full review
I have been following Ryan's passion for training bird dogs for many years. After my last hunting dog, a Labrador, passed away in May 2025, I was ready for a change. Over the past several years, I had been doing much more upland hunting and had become very interested in owning a Pointer. I reached out to Ryan in the fall and let him know I was in the market for a new dog. As luck would have it, Ryan had a head-started puppy available in December, and I decided to go take a look. From the moment I arrived at Longhollow Bird Dogs, Ryan made me feel welcome. He spent a great deal of time answering my questions and sharing valuable insights about the differences between training a Pointer and a Labrador, which was the only breed I had experience with at the time. Over the next few months, I focused on basic obedience and helping my dog adjust to our family. It did not take long to realize I had a very special dog. Every opportunity I had, I worked with her on recall, obedience, and foundational hunting skills. Her natural ability was obvious, and I wanted to make sure I developed that potential the right way. In the spring, Ryan reached out about a series of off-season training seminars that would cover everything from basic training concepts to advanced dog work. As a new Pointer owner, I immediately knew I wanted to attend. These hands-on workshops exceeded every expectation I had. Ryan held nothing back. He was completely open with participants, willingly sharing his knowledge and experience while answering every question asked. What stood out most was that the seminars felt like a true "train-the-trainer" experience. Ryan didn't just work dogs, he taught owners how to understand, handle, and develop them. Each dog received valuable one-on-one attention, and every participant left with practical skills they could immediately apply. I attended both the spring and summer sessions and already plan to attend the fall workshop as well. During the summer workshop, Ryan worked with my dog and me on the fundamentals of "whoa" training. As he observed her progress and attitude, he recognized that she was ready for his Started/Advanced Training program. I had considered doing much of the training myself, but after seeing Ryan's methods firsthand and watching how he worked with both dogs and owners, I realized I did not want to risk limiting my dog's potential through my own inexperience. Looking back, I am extremely happy with that decision. The training Ryan has provided has exceeded my expectations in every way. His knowledge, patience, and dedication to developing quality hunting dogs are evident from day one. He takes the time to understand each dog's personality, strengths, and training needs, creating a program that builds confidence, reliability, and success in the field. The progress my dog has made under Ryan's guidance has been remarkable. From bird work and steadiness to obedience and handling, every aspect of her training has been approached with professionalism and attention to detail. Ryan also does an excellent job communicating throughout the process, providing updates and helping owners understand not only what he is teaching, but why he is teaching it. If you are looking for someone who is passionate about producing exceptional hunting and pointing dogs while treating them with care, patience, and respect, I highly recommend Ryan and Longhollow Bird Dogs. The investment is absolutely worth it. I look forward to continuing to work with Ryan and trusting him with all of my future bird dogs. 5 stars without hesitation.