Otter Tail Kennels

If you send your dog to Otter Tail Kennels, it will be the best decision you will make for the training and well being your dog. Steve and Jody are so professional - they have been training hunting dogs for over 25+ years. The facility is top notch. We had two dogs trained by Steve & Jody. Both dogs went on to obtain the junior hunter titles and Lexi will be attempting to earn her senior title in 2021.

I couldn’t have picked anyone better than Steve to train my dog Oakley. I inquired to half a dozen trainers to discuss oakley and most were quick with the response of “I can have your dog do anything in a month”. I got ahold of Steve and immediately knew this is who I wanted to train my family’s first dog. Very professional and passionate about what he does. We chose the sportsman package and was a little worried about not having him for 3 months. After drop off I got weekly updates on day to day breakdown of what and how Oakley did, and pictures and videos to see his progress. Always helpful whenever I had questions, and there were a lot of them. Pick up was easy and enjoyable. Steve went over commands and things to expect. Demonstrated and worked one on one with my wife two daughters and I with Oakley. We’ve had him back for a week now and couldn’t be happier with how well he listens. He knows when it’s time to train and time to play. We were worried about him losing his personality, but no such thing happened. He’s exceeded my expectations in every way and would do it all over in a heartbeat. Can’t wait for fall to come to get in the field with him. Thanks again Steve and Jody!

Could not be more pleased with the results from our experience with Steve and Jody. We brought our 15-month old black lab (Stout) up from the Chicago area for the waterfowl retriever program that Otter Tail Kennels offers. We were provided weekly email updates on Stout's progress with both obedience and hunting-specific training that also included some pictures so our kid's stayed engaged with her. On drop-off day, I received a full tour of the facility and grounds which were expansive and clean. On pick-up day, we arrived with our kids and were educated on all the obedience and hunting commands that were used in her training. Both Steve and Jody worked with the whole family to ensure we were comfortable on how to best continue our work with her at home and in the field after we left. They also continue to check-in periodically with us to see if there are any questions we have and are consistently available for advice whenever we call. We've been home for 6 weeks now and Stout continues to exceed my expectations and it would not have been possible without the foundation that was built during her training with Steve and Jody. Extremely happy with the results. Looking forward to getting Stout in the blind very soon.