North Bend Retriever Kennel

We successfully boarded our Labrador puppy here previously, so we thought it would be okay to try again over Thanksgiving. This time we bought the extra time for the owners to work with our 5 month old pup at obedience. We didn’t see much change in his behavior, but frightfully, when she brought our dog out he had a bloodshot eye! When I asked about it, she said «What red eye?» Then she proceeded to suggest that perhaps he had gotten salt in his eye from salting the pathways for ice, or that he got that because it was cold in the kennel. I grabbed my dog as quickly as possible got half way down the driveway and pulled over to call our vet. The vet examined the eye that afternoon, and said that it was either trauma to the head or choking on a choke chain that would cause this type of damage. She put our puppy on antibiotics after doing a pressure test, and we have been going to repeat check ups. There’s no way to prove how it happened, but the owner’s denial that his eye was damaged was frightful to me. She should notice if something happens like that to an animal in her care. If something happened like that, the dog needs to be checked out by a vet, not ignored.
Sadly, that will be our last visit to this kennel. If she had told me earlier (before pick up) about the puppy getting injured, it may have been salvageable. But by denying the problem and then offering excuses, that was unacceptable to me. I cannot recommend.

The reviewer Liz W was exposed to our neighborhood watch program. Anybody who we don’t recognize gets questioned as a lot of folks get lost in the area. As far as the retriever kennel is concerned, we have entrusted them with our dog Jack on several occasions. I’ve chatted with the owner, and he has a passion about dogs, their training and well being. Look no further IMHO.

I’ve been working with Mary and Russ for 10 years. They trained both of my dogs, one of which I purchased from them recently. Both of my dogs are outstanding performers, honestly, I don’t think there are better trained dogs out there. Mary and Russ are hardworking, honest, straightforward people. Bottom line: If you want a great dog and solid, easy to understand, straightforward help and advice, you won’t find a better kennel. I look forward to answering any questions about North Bend Retriever Kennel, my email is
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I can’t speak to this facility as breeders, or as trainers, but I wouldn’t be inclined to explore either at this point. I had an appt. for private training today. As I was driving in, a man was driving down the road. He rolled his window down, cigarette hanging out of his mouth, stopped and said «What’s the deal?» What’s the deal? I told him I had an appt. for a training session. He said nobody was at the house and that he had to take the young man in his truck into town, and he would be back in 10 minutes. I could wait. No, thanks. I’m not sure if his manners, or lack of, are a reflection of his training style, but I won’t be going back to find out.