North Country Retrievers

The following articles, either written by us, or written about us have appeared in newspapers and/or periodicals. 

This article appeared in NAHRA NEWS

Why I run Hunt Tests

By Rick Steenhoven

  Over the years I have had many people ask me why I run Hunt Tests.  My reply is always the same “Because I get to work my dogs all summer long. And because of that, they are always primed and ready for hunting season, which is why I have a dog to begin with”.   For me this is the paramount reason I play the game.  However, there are so many more benefits to be harvested that it is almost impossible to name them all.  Different people have different reasons, and all of them are valid.  Because I work as a hunting guide in South Dakota in the fall, it is imperative that my dogs be in tip-top shape on opening day.  I don’t have the luxury of being able to give them a couple days off because of sore feet or stressed muscles.  Nor do I have the opportunity to refine their training or make harsh corrections when I have hunting clients in the field with me.  These people are expecting to see my/our dogs in prime shape on opening day, as they will not be there next week when the dog finally recovers from his stiffness or finally begins to listen and respond properly.  By running Hunt Tests during the summer, my dogs are being judged and held to a standard that the average dog owner never realizes is possible.  They are put to the test in REAL-LIFE hunting scenarios.  These scenarios serve as a barometer to tell me where we need to put our emphasis on training in order to be fully ready for hunting season.  It could possibly be that our quartering is not up to par, or maybe our blind retrieves need some pattern field drills.  Maybe we have an honoring problem, as we always have a number of dogs in the field at a time (ever had to quarter in a brace at a hunt test?)   Perhaps we didn’t pick up the trail because old Sport wasn’t sure how far he was allowed to get into the field without you.  Or maybe he has some blind/line manner issues.  This is especially important to me after sitting in a very small duck blind all morning with an unruly dog who the owner thought was Super Dog.  All of these scenarios are indeed real life hunting situations, and by running hunt tests we can become aware of where the problems are by means of objective judging standards.

  Whether you work as a hunting guide or just go out hunting with your dog on occasion, the product is till the same.  You want your dog (and yourself) in tip-top shape when you go to the field.  You don’t want your dog running wild flushing birds at 200 yards, nor do you want them barking and whining in the duck blind.  You want them to be able to run blind retrieves for the birds they did not see fall across the creek.  If you hunt with a buddy who has a dog, you don’t want to see a dog fight over a bird because neither dog will honor.  I have seen friendships stressed over this very issue.  Regardless of how many times you get to go hunting, there is no need for you to have to wait until you are out in the field to see what needs fixed.  Just run a hunt test once and you will know exactly where your emphasis needs to be placed.  You will also be in the midst of people who have been there and can give you advice on how to fix it, and maybe even go out training with you.  Some of the finest quality people I know, I have met at Hunt Tests.  Additionally we all have a common objective and interest, which can foster life long friendships and relationships.  You might even find a new hunting partner who will introduce you to his secret spot because he would like to hunt with you and your dog.  This has happened to me on several occasions. 

 Hunt test and field trials are a formal means of testing your dog, as well as being rewarded for exemplary performance.   I have had many people over the years tell me that they don’t want to run Field Trials with their dog. They just want a good hunting dog.  This was ME, just 20 short years ago.  I did not know. I was ignorant to the game.   I have found this to be the case with most people in that they do not know that there is indeed a difference between a traditional Field Trial and a Hunt Test.  While most of us in NAHRA have a clear understanding of the differences, many people do not know the difference between the two games.  In short, a Field Trial is a test in which the dogs compete against each other, and a Hunt Test is where the dogs are judged against a standard, not each other.  Traditional Field Trials have been in existence for several decades, while hunt tests have only been around for just over 20 years.  Hence, more people have heard about field trials than hunt tests.  Both games are played very similar, but in a traditional field trial the tests tend to be a bit more demanding in that they must choose only one dog as the winner, so the tests need to be extremely challenging to weed out the dogs not exhibiting exemplary performance that day.  Almost all of the people that had previously told me that they had no desire to run hunt tests, are now hooked on the game because of that one-time exposure to our game, at my request and coercion.  Because of this, I challenge each and every one of you to make every effort possible to expose all of their friends who own working dogs to attend and possibly run in a hunt test.  They will likely be hooked, just as many of us have been.  

  Now on to the question of which is better; Hunt Tests or Field Trials; the answer lies within each of our own desires and expectations.  I personally don’t run traditional field trials because I do not have the time or financial resources to be as competitive as that game requires.  I truly wish I did. While my dogs can perform most tasks asked of a dog in a field trial, they would have to do it better than any of the other dogs entered that day to place or win.   That is indeed quite an accomplishment when you consider some of the high quality dogs and trainers that we have today.  This game is VERY competitive, and my hat goes off to any dog that even places in a traditional field trial.   I personally like to run hunt tests because I can compete against an established standard, and it is possible for my dog to have success, regardless of what any of the other dogs did or how they performed on that day.  

  In summary, I would always welcome the opportunity to go to the field with any dog who has achieved an FC or AFC title from a Field Trial, or any of the most advanced levels of a Hunt Test, regardless of the organization.  These dogs have had countless hours of training and have been held to the highest standards of a working dog.  They know their work, and perform it flawlessly.  It is indeed a special treat to go hunting with a dog that knows his game and performs it with the style and grace of an accomplished performer.   You will very likely be awestruck by what an accomplished dog can do, and the pleasure will be all yours.  This will be especially true if that dog is your own.  Please support all dog testing programs to the greatest extent possible.  You will thoroughly enjoy yourself and it is our insurance policy on constantly increasing the quality of mans best friend. 

New Era Newspaper,  Parker, SD    Friday, March 22^nd 2003

Steenhoven Teaches Dogs New Tricks

By Sarah Ebeling

  North Country Kennels has been open for business in Parker since the Steenhovens moved to Parker in September of 2001. Rick and Robin Steenhoven are the owners and operators of the kennel. 

 Rick knows a thing or two about Labrador Retrievers.  He should.  He owns four blacks and one chocolate one, but he has finished four personal dogs with Grand Master Hunting Retriever titles.   North Country Kennels offers a variety of services at his business.   "We offer all breeds of obedience training and hunting dog retriever training.  We also have lab pups, offer stud service and guided hunting" explained Steenhoven about all that is offered at the kennel.  "We do not offer standard boarding, but we do board the dogs that are enrolled in our training program." told Rick.

  Steenhoven breeds only Labrador Retrievers but has trained all breeds of dogs.   "We have a very selective breeding program.  Sometimes we look for years to find the correct breeding ". said Steenhoven about the animals that are bred at the kennel. 

 The training courses are ran depending upon what the owner wants and needs.  They usually run between two to five weeks in length for each course. 

  The kennel also sells registered Labrador Retriever pups.  All fo the puppies are sold with a written 26 month warranty.   "all puppies have had their dew claws removed, had their puppy shots, and are wormed before they are sold". said Steenhoven. 

  Steenhoven has been training dogs for the hunting competition for the past 15 years. 

  "Many people have been around dogs all of their life, but yet they have no idea of the capacities and abilities of a well trained, well socialized dog." stated Steenhoven.

  Steenhoven is a licensed field trial and hunt test judge.  His kennels offers a multitude of programs ranging from one-hour individual owner sessions as well as other programs such as the dog being boarded at the kennel for the entire length of the program. 

  "At the end of the program we bring the owners in and coach them on obtaining the best results on what the dog has learned". Stated Steenhoven about the training programs.

  "Working as a dog trainer and a hunting guide affords me the opportunity to always be working alongside my best friend." Told Steenhoven on why he loves what he does. 

 ---------------------------------------------------------------

Walla Walla Valley Times,

Friday, February 2^nd, 2001

North Country Kennels of Prescott

best friend for 'man's best friend'

By Stacy Estes

PRESCOTT- Everyone knows dogs are 'man's best friend'. They are loyal, loving and intelligent.

 Various breeds of dogs are bred for specific tasks, like the Australian Shepherd made famous in the movie "Babe" about the pig that learns to herd sheep.

  Most dogs today are family pets and are not used to their fullest abilities of what they were bred to do.  Not so for the North Country Kennels Labrador Retrievers of Prescott, WA 

 The dogs are owned and trained by Rick and Robin Steenhoven, who are in their 8^th year of business.  They operate North Country Kennels where they offer boarding and training services.   Dogs are trained to assimilate as a family member as a pet, and also further training as hunting dogs.  "We are currently the only retriever trainers in the area" said Rick.

 The Steenhovens' have 5 Labrador Retrievers and "we run them all through to the highest title" said Rick.  He means the dogs are trained to compete in hunt dog trials through the North American Hunting Retriever Association.  There are three levels; started, intermediate and senior.  "Each level the test gets a little harder,"

  For the highest title; Grand Master Hunting Retriever, the dog needs 300 points.  "Each senior qualification is 20 points towards that title", said

  They also offer stud services from North Country's Super Sport, Grand Master Hunting Retriever, or Sport for short.  Sport is 10 years old and is retired from Hunt Dog Tests five years ago when he "had all of his titles afforded by NAHRA (North American Hunting Retriever Association)."  Rick noted.  "He finished his career at 90% success while the national average is somewhere around 30%."  Meaning the average dog takes 50 tries to get 16 qualifications, Sport achieved his Grand master in 18 attempts, failing only two.

"Precious Pearl went 15 for 15" said Robin.  Pearl, another Black Labrador, "was my 13^th wedding anniversary gift" Robin added.   "Thirteen is the black pearl anniversary, and I got my black pearl"".  Pearl was bred after much searching, to the Jazz Time line in Montana, and had Bailey and Kelly, who at two years old will be vet certified this spring and bred with Sport.  This means they will have hip and eye certification. 

  The Steenhovens buy only carefully selected dogs- in fact they are so selective, they have been looking for our own yellow lab breeding for almost seven years now.   They also make sure they breed only carefully selected dogs.  This can mean a big loss of income when the heart gets involved like it did with

  It is this high standard that ensures the Steenhovens top dollar for their puppies.  They offer a 30-month written warranty, plus eye and hip certification, and a certified copy of their pedigree.   Simple training begins almost immediately. 

  "We have them swimming at 3 weeks old, and by 49 days, we have them retrieving live pigeons" said Rick.  Formal training begins with simple obedience training, as young as 6 months old.  "Our goal is to send home a well mannered pet that is a pleasure to be around" their brochure states.   The training requires a minimum 2-week stay at the cost of $125 per week.  Verbal praise and physical petting are used as rewards for learning the commands; here, sit, stay down, OK, no, heel, and kennel in/out.    The dogs are disciplined with a simple pinch of the ear tip.  "This gets their attention without harming the dog" Robin

said.  "We train the dogs and then bring the owner and family out and train them as well".  It does no good to send the dog home and have the family neglect enforcement.  The Steenhovens advise being very strict in the early stages to reinforce the training. 

  Some owners may want to return for Basic Retriever Training.  The basic retriever program is an introduction tot all of the sights, sounds, sensations and experiences a hunting dog will be exposed to in real life hunting situations." The Steenhovens said.  This program also runs two weeks.   "Right before hunting season, we get real busy" Robin said.  "Hunters bring their dogs here for tune-ups".  The dog may be a pet all year and not keep up its training, bringing up the need for a refresher course.

  The next step after basic training is Force Fetching.  The dogs love the training and the work involved.  "In force fetching their morale level goes from a 10 down to a 2" said Robin.  It is a program of mandatory repetitive fetching and holding, "long after they have decided to quit for the day" according to the brochure.  It is the first and most important step in teaching a dog to handle, or take hand and verbal commands to complete blind retrieves.   A blind retrieve is one where the bird goes down unseen by the dog.  The last stage of training is Advanced Retriever Training consisting of  "teaching a dog to handle, run blind retrieves, quarter, trail, flush and honor.  This is the Ivy League of training for retrievers.  As Rick noted "You get out of your dog what you put into them."

 In the middle of the acres of blinds, decoys and obstacles at their farm, Rick demonstrated the dogs' capabilities.  With all five dogs sitting and watching, he yelled" Mark" and threw a hard rubber object called a training bumper.  Each dog waited ram rod still as Rick called each dog one at a time to race across the bumpy ground and retrieve the bumper.  "They will honor the other dogs fully" Rick  said. 

  Next he demonstrated hand signals to direct the dogs when they don’t see the bird fall.  Having previously placed a bumper 100 yard away, he sent the dog off; running is a straight line, with a simple forward hand motion.  With a superb compass, the dog stayed "on line" following the line set by Rick's hand motion.  When the dog had run far enough, Rick whistled and the dog sat, waiting for a hand motion to the left or right.  At the left motion, the dog ran that direction until it heard another whistle to stop. 

 Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote "The leading distinction between dog and man is that one can speak and the other can not".   Yet the Steenhovens said that most hunters don’t know what it is like to hunt with a fully-trained hunting dog.   Many pet owners don’t know the joy of a relationship with a well trained animal, either.  The Steenhoven have made it their business to see that the dog/person relationship is all it's capable of being.