Retriever Ridge Kennels

12/03/2025

You don’t get hunts like this on repeat.

The world’s still dark, the only sound is a dog breathing beside you and watching the sky like it’s his job. These mornings slip by faster than we think—young dogs turn into old veterans, seasons come and go, and one day you realize the last hunt with a good dog already happened.

So set the phone down, scratch that gray muzzle, and soak it in. You don’t get these days back.

11/28/2025

“How do I know when my dog has gotten too cold hunting?”

Your dog won’t always quit on their own. A good duck dog will keep jumping in because you asked them to, even when they’re getting too cold. Here are the signs I tell people to watch for:

🚨 Early “Too Cold” Signs

If you’re seeing these, it’s time to warm the dog up and give them a break:
• Shivering that doesn’t stop between retrieves
• Tight, hunched posture – tail tucked, muscles tight, looks tense instead of relaxed
• Change in attitude – a dog that was fired up now looks unsure, clingy, or miserable
• Reluctant to re-enter the water when they were eager earlier
• Slow, stiff movements getting in and out of the blind, boat, or on the bank

🚨 More Serious Warning Signs

These are red flags – hunt is over for that dog, and a vet may be needed:
• Shivering stops but the dog still looks cold and weak
• Very slow, clumsy, or “drunk” movement
• Dog seems confused, dull, or not responding normally
• Gums feel cold or look pale/blue instead of nice and pink

At this point, get the dog:
• Out of the water and wind
• Into a dry vest / towel / blanket
• Into the truck to warm up gradually
And call a vet if they’re not perking back up fairly quickly.

⸻

Simple Rule I Give to Hunters

If you catch yourself thinking,

“I wonder if he’s getting too cold…”

That’s your answer. Yes — it’s time to warm him up and probably be done with the water work for that dog.

Mallards can wait. Your dog’s life can’t.

10/25/2025

A dog doesn’t know about limits, titles, or the latest gear.

He knows the sound of wings before daylight and the whistle that calls him home.

And maybe that’s why we keep coming back — not for the pile, but for the partnership.

For the mud, the silence, and the moments that remind us what honest work looks like.

Retriever Ridge — Since 1997

10/15/2025

10/15/2025

09/16/2025

Appreciate the AGFC for having us out to work with the kids and thank you to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette for the kind article. Big thank you to my daughter, Kennedy, for helping me stay organized.

09/14/2025

Took some time out to go watch a past client running his dogs in the local Ozarks HRA Club Master test yesterday and got to see some old friends I haven’t seen in several years, like Reece Hudson and Bill Autrey. Always good to see good people you haven’t seen in many years. We used to see each other at many retriever hunt tests and Super Retriever Series in years past, so good for the soul to see old friends and many of the club members as well.

08/09/2025

Spent the morning at the AGFC Nature Center in Springdale introducing some great kids to the world of duck dogs. Hope they got as much enjoyment out of it as I did sharing it with them. Thankful for the opportunity!

07/09/2025

📸: When your dog puts their paw on your foot… it’s not cute.

When a dog puts their paw on your foot, most people think it’s sweet. It’s not. In the canine world, getting on top of another dog—standing over them, mounting them—is a way to assert dominance. And since they can’t climb on your shoulders, your foot is the next best thing.

It’s not love. It’s rank.

The solution? Don’t let it slide.
Gently step onto their paw with as much pressure as needed (some dogs are very tough) and claim your space back. You’re not hurting them—you’re sending a clear message:
“This space is mine, not your’s, and I lead the pack, not you.

Leadership starts with little moments like this. Don’t confuse rudeness for affection.

07/04/2025

GUNSHY: One Bad Night Can Ruin a Good Dog

Fireworks may seem harmless, but to a young or unconditioned dog, they’re a sudden, loud trauma. And for hunting dogs, it can lead to something we work hard to avoid: gunshyness.

A gunshy dog is one that flinches, panics, or shuts down at the sound of gunfire — and often, it can start with fireworks.

What causes it?
• Sudden, loud bangs without context
• Fear paired with no escape
• Owners unknowingly “testing” their dog in bad conditions

How to prevent it this 4th of July:
• Keep your dog indoors before the fireworks start
• Provide a calm, secure space (crate, fan noise, etc.)
• Don’t expose pups “to see how they do” — you’re gambling with their future
• Avoid fireworks shows, even from a distance

You get one shot at a clean start. Don’t let fireworks set your dog back.

07/01/2025

Happy 7th Birthday to my guy, HANK. Hard to believe he’s already that age.