welcome

Gun River Labs & Training is owned and operated by Renee and Archie Ivy. All dogs are cared for and loved by us. All dogs are personally trained by Renee.

Renee's Background
Qualfications:

A. Education: 120 college credit hours of psychology and sociology. Course highlights: The nature, extent, causes, control, reaction, treatment and rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents. Theory and practice in behaviorial, social and holistic counseling techniques. As well as, identification and modification of the behavior of the emotionally and socially maladjusted child.
B. Over 18 years training and breeding dogs.
C. 8 1/2 years employment in a veterinary hospital.
D. Nutritional Advisor II for Hill's.
E. We have done several Rescue and Rehabilitation Projects with canines.

Additional Education:

Attended seminars by Job Michael Evans (author /trainer),
Ian Dunbar DVM & Animal Behaviorist, David Hammond DVM, Jean Dodd DVM, Chris Zink DVM, PHD, Tom & Kay Lams & George Alston (All breed dog and handling trainers), Jerry Patopea, (Professional retriever field trial trainer), Jim Dobbs (Tri-Tronics trainer), Andy Attar (Professional retriever field trial trainer), and Jim Van Engan (retriever puppy trainer).
* Attended 2 week long Workshops at Mike Lardy's (retriever field trial trainer of over 50 field Champions and 5 National Champions).
* Also spent a week shadowing Andy Attar and Paul Sletton. Attended Informal Lectures by Barclay Slocum DVM, Ray Calkins DVM, and
Grant Mauer DVM DACVO.
Attended Classes on dog training, genetic predispositions, nutrition, diseases,
flea control and heartworm.

Besides Renee and Archie the other person that you will see here is Renee's training assistant Meghan. Meghan is a student attending Dallas Public Schools. She is very active in the Polk County 4-H program where she does dog obedience and showmanship, and she competes with her sheep at the county fair. Meghan has already trained her own dog earning a CD in AKC obedience and a JH in the AKC hunt tests. Meghan attends training seminars and workshops on a regular basis. In addition to these things Meghan plays the clarinet and sax. She is involved with the track team and plays soccer. Gun River is pleased to have such a well rounded young lady on board.

Location:
Gun River's Kennel and Training Facility is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley Flyway, adjacent to Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge. This extremely rural setting has access to over 400 acres of training grounds ranging from Agricultural to native grass Savannah. In addition, there are numerous ponds on the properties, each unique with various characteristics and challenging factors. Gun River also has use of 15 acres of flooded corn with both pit and above ground blinds for training after the hunting season is concluded.
Field Training utilizes both bumper training and live or dead birds. We are able to both train and shoot year round, with special attention paid to the wetlands and ponds during nesting season. Started dogs get the benefit of having both yard work performed right here on the grounds and bird training in a number of locations. All training is accomplished right here on the property.
The facility consist of a modern kennel, heated, with indoor/ outdoor runs connected to a spacious airing paddock. The facility is located 1/2 mile off the nearest gravel road and offers a very secluded, secure setting. Safety for the dogs is paramount at Gun River.

References

"I highly recommend Gun River Labs for your training needs. My lab, Indy, was an older dog when he began hunt training. Renee's workshops were just the thing we needed to train both Indy and myself for greater effectiveness. Her patience and attentiveness to the "little" things made all the difference in our training. Previously, I had taken Indy other places for training needs, but this is the only place I would go back to again." Jim Penhollow Vancouver, Washington

"We have enjoyed the companionship of many wonderful dogs over the span of our married life, most of them German Shepherds, but we were unprepared for the challenge that came with our latest Shepherd pup. He is black, beautiful, and headstrong. We treated him the same as our previous pets of that breed but must have unwittingly given him the impression that he was king of our castle. He developed many bad habits, and as he grew large, this became quite a problem. When we finally realized he was more than we were young enough, agile enough, or smart enough to handle, we sought help. We were given Renee's number by a mutual friend and made arrangements for our dog to go to her place for training - "boot camp" we call it.

Although we were skeptical of this prospect in the beginning, Renee gained our confidence at first meeting, and we have been amazed at the changes she has brought about in our dog. Although he knew some basic obedience commands, he now does it when commanded to, not just when he feels like it. His eyes have a more gentle appearance, and he seems to have more confident control of himself. Also, she has been giving us insight into his perception of the messages we give him so that we can continue his training when he comes home. It was a joy to practice obedience work with him as a cooperative partner rather than persecutor, and we now have hope of being able to include him in more of our activities. This is one of the best investments we have ever made."Jerry and Ann Hunt

"Renee, I want to express how important your workshop has been to me. If I had not been involved, I would still be floundering with her training. It gave me the information to get started with the basics and a sense of direction. I now feel that I have a foundation to work with and much more confidence. Thank you so much." Judy Meyer

"I started looking for Joss when my first lab was about eight years old. I knew Beau was about done with hunting and was ready to pass the torch. I have been around dogs for the better part of my life and knew that I wanted a "buddy" in the blind with me, someone to hang out around the house with.

When I first started looking for Joss I checked with many different breeders/trainers. I previously had one of my dogs trained by a professional trainer but was not satisfied with the outcome; I found that I needed as much or more training than the dog! Later I was Schutzen trained for a position as a Police K-9 Officer. During this training I gained newfound respect for both dog and trainer and found that I had a much greater responsibility in the process than I had ever imagined.

I finally found Renee and first spoke with her over the phone. During the call we made an appointment for my wife, Tracy, and I to visit Gun River Labs and Training and speak with Renee in person. Tracy and I were extremely impressed with Renee's knowledge and how devoted she was to her "kids" (all the dogs). Renee and Archie both treat the dogs with as much love and passion as you would your own family.

Tracy and I told Renee we wanted a dog that would be part of the family. I also knew that I wanted to be very involved in the training. Renee provided the whole package. At Gun River we learned how to handle and care for Joss from the tender age of eight weeks to the point he‚s reached now; two legs toward his Junior Hunt Title at one year and eight months. He is well on his way!

Renee has been instrumental not only in forming a terrific hunting dog but also in molding a life long friend. Thank you for such a great family member Renee and Archie." Jay and Tracy Prall Keizer, Oregon.

"Dear Renee, I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you! The four months Morgan spent with you was the best investment I have made in bird hunting. It was definitely worth every penny. As I'm sure you recall Morgan is a little "high strung". She is still her fun playful self, but a joy to hunt with as well as to live with. She is very obedient and needs only small amounts of correction. Last year we hunted grouse, quail, banded tail pigeon, chukar, pheasant, ducks and geese. She made well over 100 retrieves. It would not have been possible without your help. Thanks again," Brenton C. Field