Old Mission Retrievers

06/04/2025

This guy is the result of 4 generations and 7 litters of selective breeding. He is genetically majority retriever (golden + lab) and has a zero shed coat. We’ve had other zero shed puppies but Neo (?) is one of the first with > 50% retriever content.

06/04/2025

Well said. Walks are overrated. Running at full speed, being allowed to sniff things in nature or wrestle with friends are all infinitely better activities for many dogs.

Today is 🐩🐶…A day to remind people that it’s okay to do things with your dog that don’t involve taking them for a walk. Some dogs don’t enjoy walks and find them stressful. Some dogs love them but can get easily triggered by something you may routinely encounter. And some dogs don’t yet have the skills or impulse control to walk without potentially dragging their person down. Plus, variety is good. Find some other ways for your dog to get their exercise and other enrichment. Here’s Finn playing with one of his best friends, which is so much easier on me than taking him for a walk when he has energy to get out!

06/04/2025

Silas is home with his new family. He is keeping his litter name. This photo is what it’s all about for me. Good boy Silas. 🐾💜

06/04/2025

Rose needs a bath, Valors haircut is all wrong, the house is a mess. But here is the new pack with our keeper guy (Graham) whose new name is under discussion. Silas left today and we miss him but are so happy for him that he is with his new humans. Everyone seems content. Somehow they know. Time for the next chapter. 🐾💜

22/03/2025

And then there were two.
Connie (now Bea) and Tess (now Gracie) left this morning. Silas is staying with us to
continue learning while his new family enjoy a spring break vacation. Graham (TBD) is our potential keeper to stay in the program. He’ll be here for a while so we can get to know him better. The boys are enjoying the increased freedom that comes with full integration into the household. Charlotte is excited to have two new playmates.

20/03/2025

Tess is enjoying the new snow we got last night more than the humans. She’s explaining here that it would be good to open this gate so she can play in the bigger yard.

20/03/2025

A lot of dogs want you to know this -

Instead of a fancy collar and bed? They’d rather have a fenced in yard - even if it has to be small and home made - so they can have off leash time to dog and dig.

Instead of daily neighborhood walks? They’d rather you drive to a dirt road and put them on a 30ft line and let them zig zag and smell as long as they like

Instead of twice daily meals in a bowl? They’d rather have food through enrichment activities that stimulates their brain and their nose.

Instead of basic obedience training? They’d rather have purpose driven training that feeds their genetic make up and needs AND helps them survive and thrive in todays world.

Instead of a human wanting something from them? They’d love a human wanting to understand them better.

Instead of focusing on perfect “heels” and “stays”? They’d love to learn how to be resilient and less stressed and cope with the outside world and our expectations.

Instead of harsh punishments and corrections? They’d prefer proactive management and rewards for good decisions.

We can’t change everything about the lives our dogs are forced to live with us in, but we can make these kinds of changes and see a huge improvement in their quality of life and wellbeing.

-Helen St. Pierre

17/03/2025

Connie has found her people! Yay Connie! This happy wagging spunky fun little girl makes me smile every day. 🐾💜

16/03/2025

Happy Sunday from sleepy Tess

14/03/2025

Busy finalizing puppy placements and making sure we have enough visitors and new experiences. Charlotte has turned out to be an amazing puppy helper. At only 6 months old I officially trust her with the babies. Good girl Charlotte. Long video…. If you want a glimpse into our world this is it.

09/03/2025

We had adorable visitors today! Thanks to these amazing girls the puppies learned more about kids and how great they are. 🐾🐾🐾💜💜💜

07/03/2025

It’s good to be a puppy…..

06/03/2025

Working on sitting as a way to ask for things. Our little Roses are super fast learners! I love this because now I am more often greeted by little faces looking up at me instead of little teeth chewing my pant leg and clamoring up whining.

02/03/2025

Darcy (action shot)

02/03/2025

Graham