Mudd Creek Retrievers

There is nothing more intimidating than doing something new and different. I have never owned a lab, let alone a gun dog. I decided to take the leap and purchase a puppy and start the journey. After calling a few trainers in Idaho with no return phone calls I ventured out a little further to Montana. What a great decision that was! I found Marcus and Vickie at Mudd Creek Retrievers! Marcus called me immediately after we chatted over text. Gave me some advice on my puppy on the spot, and we made a plan to send the dog to him in the spring. Marcus and Vickie opened up their home to me and were so welcoming. My dog Axe, received the very best care and training and Marcus encouraged me to visit and be involved with his progress. I can’t say enough good things about Mudd Creek Retrievers. Train with the mark of quality at Mudd Creek Retrievers! You won’t regret it!

We were fortunate enough to get a puppy from Marcus last year and had him in training over the summer. We are extremely happy with the results! Our dog is an absolute pleasure to spend time and train with. Looking forward to getting him out on some good hunts. Marcus and Vicki are wonderful people to work with. Both are extremely kind and quick to respond. Our dog had a minor leg injury during training, and Marcus got him into the vet right away and all went well. I would absolutely recommend Mudd Creek Retrievers to anyone looking for hunting dog training. Marcus is a wealth of knowledge and very willing to share his knowledge. I've reached out to Marcus with a few questions about training, and he responds immediately with great advice.

At the beginning of the 2024 Hunt Test Season in the Northwest area, I realized that my 10 year old Golden Retriever, Louie, needed 12 more passes to achieve entry into the Golden Retriever Club of America’s coveted Hunt Test Hall of Fame. I had had the greatest of fortune to train with one of the best hunt test trainers in California before we’d moved to Ronan. Our first summers here, I’d also been blessed to train with a super field trial trainer; Louie was successful in both venues, but I could tell his joy was hunt tests. Luckily, that early spring of ‘24, I met Marcus Bellow and we joined his training group. I was delightfully impressed at how Marcus could read a dog, how he could be very firm but fair, and how he would set up great competitive tests and break them down to teach factors. His dogs learned by success. Marcus seemed acutely aware of each dog’s strengths and weaknesses, and at the level of their understanding of concepts. His dogs all had great attitudes and were eager to do their work. His dog trailer was spotless and all his equipment was organized and in good repair. His kennels were also clean, safe, and odorless. Marcus was an excellent coach for Louie and me; he kept us working at his high standard, yet understood Louie’s age. He kept us working on our weaknesses, yet built us up with success. His training program worked! Louie qualified in the 12 tests we entered (in 4 months), and is now in the GRCA‘s HTHF. Thank you Marcus!!!!! We couldn’t have achieved our goal without you. A new member to our family came in December of ‘24. At the end of March, Meg joined Marcus’ kennel. A high energy pup, Marcus was extremely cognizant of her methods of learning as he taught her his program. I am thrilled to say, she has a great foundation; she went from force fetch to shore breaking in 6 months. We are definitely looking forward to joining the MCR again in the spring.

I brought my red lab, Stihl, to Marcus when she was 9 months old, and I couldn’t be more grateful for him and his team! They kept me updated every step of the way—photos, videos, regular check-ins—and even welcomed me to visit. I truly couldn’t have asked for a better trainer. Marcus did an incredible job with her obedience, and I constantly get compliments on how well trained she is, both at home and out in the field. He had her for about four months, and it’s clear he made every minute count. I would hands down recommend trusting your dog with Marcus. My family and I have had three other labs go through gun dog training with different trainers, and Marcus blew them all out of the water. He treats every dog like his own and is an absolute pleasure to work with. Your dog will be in fantastic hands—worth every single penny!