What our customers are saying... CASSIE (11 mos old Weimaraner) Rick....One word description of Cassie's 1st hunt...FANTASTIC! I even had 2 fellows offer to buy her on the 1st day of her very 1st real hunt! Here is the story from our hunt, opening day Kansas 2009! The day started with grabbing some breakfast at one of the local diners in town. I started conversing with 2 other fellas from Denver, who were also there for the opening. They asked how many in my party? Just myself and my dog,I replied. They queried as to what kind of dog I was running? I told them an 11mos. old Weimaraner! (they were running a German Wirehair and a Brittany). They both proceeded to tell me that the hunt instinct has been bred out of Weimaraner's and they don't/won't/can't hunt! I just politley told them; I believe this one does. Later in the day I ran into these 2 same guys as they were exiting a field, I inquired how they were doing? They conveyed they had seen alot, but the dogs were getting them out too far for them to get shots. I told them I was going to work the draw across the road. They explained they had already been through that draw and there were no birds in there! I said well I'm here, I'll give a shot anyway. We weren't in this draw 60 seconds when Cassie locked up, I walked in and flushed a hen, Cassie started to give chase I told her NO BIRD, she pulled off. We proceeded to hunt, a few minutes later she locked up again this time a rooster, I knocked that one down, Cassie retrieved. We found another hen then another rooster wich I also knocked down and Cassie retrieved. As I came out of the draw these 2 fellows had been watching this scenario unfold from the road. They were in total disbelief! One of the fellows again stated "WE RAN OUR DOGS THROUGH THERE, WE DIDN'T SEE ANY BIRDS" At this point the other fellow asks; HOW MUCH YOU WANT FOR THAT DOG? I very politley told him I couldn't possibly sell her because Weimaraner's can't/won't/don't hunt,remember! They then asked where I had my dog trained? I gave them your information, so they may be giving you call! As I pulled into the game check station on the way home that evening, the warden asked how I did? I told him I had 2 birds...he replied; "Well you are ahead of the game", he then explained they have had groups of 20 come through with only 1 bird! I am just pleased as punch, I could not be any happier with what you have accomplished with my dog! Thank you so much! Pete Lowrance Denver, CO PARKER (18 mos. GSP) Rick...Just wanted to give you an update on Parker's first outing (opening weekend 2009). I could not make it out however, a good friend of mine and some buddies had mentioned they were going. Since they only had 1 dog in their group I suggested they take Parker. The report I got back was his performance was "AWESOME"! My friend said he looked like a veteran out in the field; staunch on point, held point, retrieved to hand and tracked down wounded birds. My buddy stated he couldn't think of anyway for this dog to improve! I can't wait to get him out myself! Hopefully, next weekend. I am very happy! Thank you! Terry Christanson Hanover, CO LUWAK (Yellow Lab) I highly recommend training with Gun Dogs R Us in Peyton, CO. Rick and Kathy are wonderful people and had the utmost patience and skills in training our dog! Steve Schopper Manitou Springs, CO MURPHY Rick.... (Sept. 2009) Murphy is quite at home here in Wyoming. He just finished the last of my scouting trips before the sage grouse season opens and he has performed flawlessly. He has got over a dozen solid points on sage grouse already. He even worked some birds today some 300yards before pinning down and we got great 20yard flushes, he's gotta nose! Just took him a couple covey flushes to get that scent down and now its all business as I got to see his light bulb turn on over the past couple days, with all the birds he's been into. Tomorrow I'm taking it easy on him we are just going to go find some blue grouse and only scout half a day. I have some great pics of him on point and I'll get them off to you after the season. Rick, thanks for training such a great dog! Update (Nov. 2009)...Rick, I have to tell you Murphy is making me look like a "ROCK STAR" to my clients, I just can't express in words how good this dog is! Once again thanks for doing such a great job training this dog! I will be in the market for another started dog next year, please reserve one for me! I really want to get another one from YOU! Jason Ostrander Grey Reef Anglers & Wingshooting 307-267-2559 www.greyreefanglers.com Teagan I recall Gene and I saying we would pay anything if we could just get teagan to come when she was called. You solved that problem in two days! We are still amazed everytime she comes when shes called. We just can't believe the progress Teagan has made! You are both miracle workers Jaimie, Woodland Park LUCY I first brought Lucy, my German Shorthair pup to "GUN DOGS "R" US" when she was six (06) months old. Lucy was a puppy and like most shorthairs, full of energy! Lucy spent three months with "GUN DOGS "R" US" learning the basic commands (whistle and verbal) needed to hunt. During the third month of her training, I participated in the training every weekend. Yes, I had to be trained also and Rick did my training for FREE! During our training, I will never forget working on the "hold to flush" command. Rick placed Lucy on a 3' square piece of plywood and told me to tell her "whoa" if she stepped off the plywood upon release of a bird. Rick released the bird and Lucy took one small step. I immediately yelled the "whoa" command and placed her back on the plywood as I was instructed. Rick immediately approached me and put his hand on my shoulder and said "Matt, never yell at your dog, just tell her what to do". Before the end of the third month, Lucy and I were both trained and that fall, I shot more than 50 birds over her. I was so impressed with Rick's training methods and gentle spirit and with how far Lucy had come through her training, I decided to take her back to "GUN DOGS "R" US" for another 3 months of training (finishing) the following Spring. Rick worked on Lucy's ranging, retrieving, taught her how to honor the point of another dog and also taught her that it was wrong to jump on people. I can hardly wait for hunting season to get Lucy out! I consider Rick and Kathy good friends and I will continue to have "GUN DOGS "R" US" tune up Lucy and I as needed. You won't find a more personable, caring, professional dog and handler trainer as they don't get any better than "GUNDOGS"R"US". Thanks - Rick and Kathy......You guy's are a class act!....Matt and Lucy. BELEW Chocolate Lab .......I wish I could have gotten him out earlier for pheasants. He is 13 months old now. As you know, he did perfectly well during dove season at 9 months old, retrieving a few doves and several pigeons. Well, we finally made it out this weekend for pheasants and he did great. Each retrieve was like lightning and brought directly to hand. On one of the retrieves I shot the bird and he flew about 300 yards and then just fell 75 feet from the sky and bounced. I had told Belew "No Bird!" because I didn't think the bird was hit and he stopped. When I saw the bird drop I said "Git him" and he ran to the area and located the bird and brought it right to me. It was magnificent! He stops at whoa when hens fly or shots are missed, quarters(comes around) with almost imperceptable double tweets on the whistle. I wish we had the moisture we got today, because it was drier out east than I've ever seen it. He had a tough time smelling them and they were getting up at 30 yards(I'm glad I switched to a full choke), so, he didn't really get any chances to flush or point, but he knew what he was doing. He is a machine in the field, but, tests me around the house. Maybe I should have had you house train him too! Not really. He's a joy. He just loves to play. I cannot thank you enough for training me such a WONDERFUL partner. He's with me all of the time, and everything you've done shines through each and every day. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Rick!!!!! Happy New Year Kirby Boos Englewood, CO After a very disappointing and disastrous experience with another local trainer, I feel fortunate to have found Rick Fitzpatrick at Gun Dogs 'R' Us, he is not only good with the dogs, but also knows that communication with the owners is just as important! I got to tell you Rick that Jake is just working great for me! I could not be any more pleased with him and it is only because of the great job you did with him. He responds to the whistle or the beeper on his collar really well. Think I have a great pointer thanks to you. Jake will be two next month and for a pup he is doing great. Thanks again for a job well done! Bob Cook Colorado Springs Winston... German Shorthair Pointer As my wife and I are not wealthy people it was imperative for us to pick the right trainer for Winston the first time. We were not in the position to jump from trainer to trainer if one didn't workout! Rick and Kathy at Gun Dogs "R" Us, not only were they sensitive and very caring for our pup, they made us feel very welcome in their home and listened to our needs. Rick advised me to come out anytime I had a chance, he was very willing to show me his techniques used in the training, once he showed me the techniques, he had me working my own dog, that was really cool! I was also impressed by his low key approach with the dogs, his commands are firm but calm. He is really patient with the dogs. One of his philosophies is: Don't force it! If the trainer or pup is having an off day call it a day, there is always tomorrow! I can tell you from 1st hand experience you will not be disappointed if you choose Gun Dogs "R" Us for your training needs! Sean Aurora, CO Rick, Thank you for doing such a wonderful job with Winnie! I want to relay to you our first hunting trip Nov-2007: I went hunting with several of my buddies to Kansas for a 3-day hunt. It was a pretty phenomenal week-end, we brought home over 80 birds as Winnie was the only dog in our group she was kept very busy, not only finding, pointing and retrieving but she was excellent in tracking down and finding the wounded birds that ran on us. At one point we joined with another group of hunters with professional guides and several dogs to work a large field,. In our conversation they asked how we were doing, we told them we were doing pretty well and relayed to them how many birds we had. They then asked how many dogs we were running, I told him just one, my little Winnie here. He then asked how old she was, when I told him she just turned 1 year old, he was quite astounded and made the comment the way she was hunting he thought she was a seasoned veteran. He then inquired who did I have train her, I told him about you and gave him one of your cards. He commented he was not familiar with you, I just told him that you did one heck of job with my Winnie and he readily agreed! As we departed and headed back to our vehicles these guides were struggling to keep their dogs under control, while I walked off with Winnie at heel with no problem. I remember when I dropped Winnie off at your facility; in our interview I told you I wanted a dog to hunt both upland and waterfowl as well as a well-behaved dog. You have delivered to me exactly as requested. If anyone asks about gun dog training, I will, with all the confidence in the world tell them you are the go to guy! I can't wait to get her out goosing, there is no doubt in my mind she will perform just as well, I will keep you updated! Please convey my thanks to Kathy for all her help! Randy Berthoud, CO On my first hunt after picking my dog up from Gun Dogs "R" Us, I called Rick from the field just to tell him Thank you, because I now have the "BEST HUNTIN DOG ON THE PLANET" Bill Colorado Springs, CO Keena's Story I started my search for a dog trainer when I acquired my 4-month-old Chocolate Lab (Keena). Keena was my baby and I was going to be very cautious in my choosing a trainer. I had heard several horror stories of dogs being mistreated, abused, over shocked via e-collar and consequently ruined by over aggressive training techniques. I met with Rick and Kathy of GUN DOGS "R" US, Kathy kept assuring me that Keena would be cared for just as one of their own dogs, after a few meetings with Rick and Kathy I felt confident my Keena would be in good hands, one of my main concerns was the use or abuse of e-collars. Rick explained that any training tool if used incorrectly will have a negative impact, thusly if the tools are used in a proper manner the pup will accept the training process in a fun and confident manner. Rick is confident enough in his training process that he encourages his clients to come out to the facility, not only to watch him work your dog but invites you to join in while he coaches you to work your own dog! This was a big deal to me, I was out there on several occasions, and I never witnessed or saw any indication that the Rick's techniques were abusive or overly aggressive! When I dropped Keena off she was a 4-month-old wild little puppy full of reckless abandon. 90 days later I had a 7-month-old well-behaved wonderful hunting partner. Rick was able to channel all that puppy energy into the hunting process, yet Keena maintained her happy go lucky personality. Keena was out hunting upland and waterfowl at the age of 9 mos. old, my buddies and anyone that witnessed this young pup out in the field could not believe she was not even 1 year old yet! There may be trainers out there just as good as Rick Fitzpatrick of GUN DOGS "R" US but I can't imagine there are any trainers any better! After I picked my dog up, my girlfriend at the time asked me if the investment of getting my dog trained was worth it? My response to her was: I AM SO PLEASED, THAT GUY COULD HAVE CHARGED ME DOUBLE AND IT WOULD HAVE STILL BEEN WORTH EVERY DIME! Rick and Kathy, thanks to both of you for your hospitality and Kudos to you Rick for a job well done! I have the hunting partner I had hoped for! Jason Westminster CO * Beignet's Story We have had our German Shorthaired Pointer, Beignet, now for about a year and it is a good time to reflect upon our experience with her. We bought our pup from Rick and Kathy Fitzpatrick, knowing what we wanted was a tall order, an enthusiastic and energetic hunting dog, but one that would make a manageable house dog and a pet for our kids as well. Well, here we are a year later and it seems we have the best of both worlds. With Rick's help in field training and my daughter's work on obedience training, Beignet is shaping up to be a fantastic hunter and fun loving family member. Beignet lives comfortably (perhaps too comfortably) in our kitchen, she enjoys our yard, the nearby park and plays very well with the neighborhood dogs, but when we head out to the hunt fields she is all business, pretty remarkable for a 1 year old puppy! When we picked Beignet from the litter, Rick and Kathy helped us identify mannerisms and characteristics of a pup which might be clues as to how she would be as an adult. We looked for an active and playful puppy that would have the confidence and stamina to hunt, but one that would easily accept training. After the kids identified the playful ones, Rick and I took the selected pups out to the field and looked for signs of instinct and confidence, Beignet was our top choice. Since then Beignet has been on a straight-line trajectory to becoming the perfect gun dog. She has learned all the basic field commands (whoa, quartering, here) and is now backing and retrieving. She is incredibly birdy, solid to point and a tireless hunter despite challenging environment and hunting conditions. As solid as Beignet seems to be in the field, remarkably, she recently won Grand Champion in a recent Arapahoe County 4-H Showmanship and Obedience Intermediate Class Competition. Despite the new environment there, and plenty of canine distractions, Beignet responded well to our daughter's commands (sit, down, stay) and walked with the young handler like a champ. That is Beignet's story. For all the great progress we know she is still young and has a lot of work and maturing ahead (she does get a little too excited about our neighborhood rabbits), but honestly, we could not have asked for a better dog or for better help with her training! Rick and Kathy thanks to both of you! Mike & Susu Dugas & Family Greenwood Village, CO Co-Owners of Swanson Lake Ranch & Hunting Preserve Click the Swanson Lake Ranch Logo to Visit Swanson Lake Ranch "My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am..." Email form GUN DOGS "R" US Peyton, CO 303-648-3553 ACC RANCH: Assisi's Country Critters A Tribute to St. Francis of Assisi. "My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am..."