Flint Hills Retrievers

Professional Training by

Tom Masella

All training is done by professional dog trainer and handler, Tom Masella. Tom is well known for his young dog work and has been training dogs for over 20 years. Tom moved to Kansas from Oregon in 1996 to take advantage of the many opportunities Kansas' sport hunting offered, from gun dogs to competition events such as AKC hunting tests and field trials.

Tom has been featured in Gun Dog Magazine, Kansas Wildlife and Parks Magazine, The Wichita Eagle, The Hutchinson News, The Newton Kansas and the Marion County Record. Tom can also be seen on the Kansas Outdoor Almanac and other outdoor television programs.

The dogs he trains excel in both field and competition sporting events, as many satisifed customers can attest to!

Tom uses a program structured to make it easy for your dog to be successful.

Beginning puppies or dogs can expect to learn basic obedience; introduction to birds, water decoys, duck calls, gunfire; single marks and the trained retrieve.

Intermediate training includes an emphasis on steadiness; multiple marks; beginning handling; land and water "T" patterns; swim-bys and water cheats.

Advanced dogs will work on longer distanced multiple marks; advanced handling (blinds); hunting tests and field trials.

Flint Hills retrievers also offers a complete puppy socialization program. Puppies are socialized in a home setting while obtaining their puppy preschool training in basic obedience, marking, crate training and introduction to birds.

Guests are always welcome at Flint Hills Retrievers. Please feel free to come visit our facility and observe your dog in training any time you wish. If you would like to visit our facility, a map is available here.

You can also contact Tom through email at tom@flinthillsretrievers.com