Training | Boarding/Training fees | Ask the Trainer | Client Testimonials
Trish,
I just wanted to take a few minutes to check in with you and let you know how Bella is doing....
First off, let me extend a sincere thanks to you and your staff for the training and oversight that you provided Bella in her first critical months of development. Additionally, I would like to thank you for the training and support that you gave me, including the patience in answering all of the rookie questions that my inexperience brought with the deal. LaNay and I are completely satisfied with Bella in obedience, companionship, and hunting performance.
Her first season in the field was amazing. Every time we went out, it was like being in the classroom for her, and she learned alot. Some of her developments were subtle, but ever present. Let me share one short story with you..One day walking back to the truck from a morning in the blind I paused to unload my shotgun. As I worked the pump action to eject the shells, Bella instinctively came to the heel and was looking for a mark. She had learned pretty fast that when I worked the action on the gun, birds usually started falling from the sky. Needless to say, I was very pleased. She got a well rounded season of both duck and upland bird hunting and has done very well with both. I have included a photo of her emerging from the James River with a bufflehead in her mouth, a photo of her posing with a merganser from the same hunt, and a photo of her and I in the field over pheasants.
Her performance as a family pet is equally as impressive. Her behavior around young children is remarkable. Her temperment is outstanding, and instituting obedience early in the program was exactly the right thing to do.
I will be back for another Silverbrook pup in two to three years. I am transferring to Hawaii in May, so I will be away from the immediate area for awhile. However, you will hear from me again when I am ready for a second lab. Trish, your dogs are first rate and I am a believer in your breeding and training program. I would not go anywhere else for a great gun dog.
Thanks again for what you have helped bring me in Bella.
Sincerely,
John Gearhart
Below
is a letter updating you on our progress at home. While I tried to keep
it short, there were so many things I wanted to tell you. One thing I
did not inlcude was the fact that I want Dewey with me everywhere I go!
He's a playbful boy but knows when play time is over. He's not jumped
on any of the furniture, done any counter-surfing for human food, or lunged
at anyone's head. We even made a successful trip to the pet store, and
guess what. I had forgotten to turn his collar on. Oops. Anyway, please
feel free to post my letter and our photo on your website. (I've also
included his puppy photo just for you to see.) And if you'd like to include
my email address (djrappaport@aol.com) at the end of my letter, I'd be
MORE than happy to serve as a reference/contact for any potential clients
looking for a believer. Goodness knows, I am your number one fan!
Hi Trish!
Hi Chuck!
In one word, WOW! I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the progress Dewey made in the five weeks he spent with you. Initially nervous about seeing him for our first training session and knowing I'd be going home alone, my fears and anxieties were soon comforted when I got to interact with a well-mannered, well-behaved dog, Dewey. Also setting my mind at ease was seeing the way you interact in an authoritative, yet loving way, the way Dewey's eyes were constantly fixed on you, and the fact that he never once cowered in your presence. Prior to his arrival at Silverbook, we'd gotten to the point where we were both emotionally drained, stressed out, and very unhappy. The thought of being able to again enjoy the intelligent, fun, and loving dog I once knew honestly brings me to tears, only now they are tears of happiness. Having him home has been such a treat and the transition was much easier than I ever anticipated. The obedience training he received at Silverbrook has carried over into many facets of our life. Aside from the basic commands he now follows, I've seen a decrease in car-sickness, we've eliminated unwanted chewing, and he's finally housebroken! Additionally, we now enjoy working together and I make every moment (including every walk) a teachable moment. Although not necessary, I love our training time because Dewey continues to amaze me. And just when I think Dewey wants to stop training and start playing, he proves me wrong and instead wants to continue showing off his accomplishments -it's like he lives to please me - you can see the pride in his eyes and in his posture. So we keep on with the basics and have now added some small tricks to our repertoire. In time, we'd love to come by and show off what we've maintained since leaving Silverbrook and what we've learned together.
It is quite clear why you come so highly recommended and believe me when I say, I've passed your name along to everyone I know - it looks like you'll be getting a few more dogs in the near future. I will never be able to thank you all enough not just for training both the dog and owner, but also for preserving a relationship that is so dear to me!
Debbie Rappaport (djrappaport@aol.com)
Trish,
Just thought I'd let you know Sugar is great.
She has learned how to climb stairs...didn't have a clue what they were
when we got home. She's eating well. She has a new 36" crate. Lots
of chew toys and a new collar (pink) and leash. She's made friends with
Dakota, Molly, and Penny....all Labs.
I walk her every morning for 20 minutes...off leash. She listens so well! She's out with the girls all day long, and she get a walk at 10:00 before bed time.
We love her.
You did an amazing job with her. We believe we found a one in a million
opportunity considering all the work you did with her. We feel very lucky.
Thanks for caring for her as you did. We will never forget Silverbrook.
Sugar is a beautiful example of her breed.
Regards,
Gus Creedon
 
|
Like a lot of hardcore waterfowlers, I'm a do-it-yourselfer. From calling to decoys, I have strong ideas about what works and what doesn't. When I got Buck as an eight-week-old pup, I was determined to train him myself. I read books and magazine articles, watched videos and talked to other retriever owners, looking for training advice. The best tip I got came from two of my hunting buddies: take your dog to Trish Jagoda. When I finally hit a wall with Buck's training, my wife convinced me to follow their advice. It's hard to find the words to express my happiness with the training Buck (and I) received at Silverbrook Kennels. Let's just say that he's become a real gentleman and a hell of a hunting dog. My wife thinks it's the best investment we've ever made.
Sincerely,
|
Dear
Trish,
I am writing you to thank you again for Roscoe's
training, I know at first we were all wondering if he would be capable
of doing the things we wanted him to do, but we could not have imagined
how wonderful he would turn out to be. It is a complete joy for the kids
to be able to love on him without one of them getting hurt, to watch he
and Billy work together was a day I never thought I would see... not to
bad for a "SO CALLED" worthless chocolate.
Thank you for not jumping to conclusions about him and giving him a fair
chance when no others would. You have made our entire family so happy,
we wish you nothing but happiness because you sure gave it to us. Billy
can't wait to get 'ole milk dudd out to hunt.
Billy & Becky Collier
Spotsylvania, VA
Dear Trish,
Hi! I hope this note finds you and Team Silverbrook doing well.
We just finished working with Raider and thought I would take a minute and drop you a note and say "Thanks!" for a couple things.
When we went to out first NAHRA Trial in April 93, people took one look at Raider and said "That's a Petey pup, isn't it!!??" I didn't know what that meant at the time but I've come to find out just how special it is to have a "Petey" pup.
Without
the tremendous drive, desire, and marking ability Raider received from
the 1000 point, Grand Master Hunting Retriever - Working Retriever, Southland
Repeat Performance of yours, there is no way he could have qualified in
4/4 Started, 4/7 Intermediate, 16/17 Senior NAHRA Events. Further, the
size, power, and heart his father passed on to him went a long way towards
enabling Raider to receive a Reserve Judge's Award of Merit and a Judge's
Award of Merit in his first two AKC Qualifying Events.
When I look at Raider I see his father and all the great things he, and you in your no-nonsense, direct, professional manner, have passed on to us. We are a better team for your guidance and direction.
Sincerely,
Joseph F. Stambaugh
Goldvein, VA
After
a lot of research and reading I had decided I wanted a Chocolate Lab for
a hunting companion and family member. We came across Silverbrook Kennels
while surfing the net for yet more information. I immediately called Trish
to set up a time when we could visit. On our first visit there was a litter
of chocolate lab pups and visiting many times over the next couple of
weeks Tucker came home.
Tucker has been the easiest dog to train. He was crate trained when we brought him home, so housebreaking Tucker was the easiest of all our dogs we’ve had. I was visiting Trish several times a week and pestering her with questions about training. Trish was extremely patient with me and took the time to answer my questions and even show me some training techniques that I could use with Tucker prior to him going to "school". During my visits to Silverbrook I have had the opportunity to watch Trish and Chris work with several dogs on land and in the water. It has been so exciting to see Tucker grow and be able to participate in his training. Tucker will be running his first trial next month thanks to the skills and dedication of Trish and her team at Silverbrook Kennels.
We can’t wait to get another Silverbrook puppy!
Thanks for everything,
Robert Barron and Tucker
Silverbrook’s Magnum Tucker
Woodbridge, VA
I
started working with Trish about 2 years ago. After a lot of calls, visits,
and quite a few litters from which to choose, I brought Ella home. She
is 13 months old and is a great companion in the blind. She has spent
several months at Silverbrook with Trish & Chris, and is working on
NAHRA Senior level. She loves her time at "camp" and has been
taught quite a lot, including how to listen to an inexperienced handler
like me.
Thanks Trish & Chris!
Pete Maxwell & "Ella"
Fredericksburg, VA
I'm a relative newcomer to the retriever game.
I'm on my second Lab and I was determined that Otis, my new pup, was going
to be a more accomplished gun dog than my first. The short comings of
my first dog can be placed squarely at the feet of his inexperienced trainer
"me".
In the early period of Otis' training. I had
flashes of deja vu, you know, the been there, made that mistake before
feeling. It was at this point I decided to look for a professional trainer.
After an extensive search, Otis and I found ourselves at Silverbrook Kennels.
After discussing my dog's training schedule with Trish and Chris, my apprehension
of leaving my dog with someone for 2 - 3 months was put to rest. I visited
the kennel weekly and the progress and the maturing of my pup into a young
retriever was a joy to watch and participate in.
On one of my weekly kennel visits to work with
Otis, I had the opportunity to watch Trish and Chris run some dogs on
some land marks. This training consisted of 3 marks and blind retrieve
with the dog being Srs. or Masters. I have been a hunter most of my life
and I never had the pleasure of watching, much less hunting with dogs
that performed at this level. To see dogs with that much drive and purpose
was an experience that will be remembered. Hopefully, they won't teach
these dogs to shoot or we'll have to take up golf.
Thanks for getting Otis and me on the right track.
Bruce Jenkins & "Otis"
Boiling Springs, PA
I started looking for a Lab to be a hunting partner
and a family member. At Silver Brook Kennels, I got a great hunting partner
and a fantastic family member. I first went to Silver Brook just to take
a look. I found that the kennels were clean and well maintained. I then
got to watch the dogs work in the field. I was impressed at how the dogs
performed and how they responded to Trish. After my initial visit, I knew
that Trish Jagoda runs Silver Brook as a first class kennel. After placing
a deposit on a male puppy I waited in great anticipation. I visited many
times before and after the puppies were born. On each visit I always found
the staff friendly and the kennels clean.
At the age of 50-days old I picked my puppy.
We named the puppy Chief and he quickly acclimated to our home. He is
great with our children. House breaking was easy. He is a very smart dog
that learns quickly and is easy to train. Chief loves to retrieve live
birds and dummies on land and water. I have received numerous positive
comments on his excellent behavior. Thanks to Trish Jagoda and Silver
Brook kennels for providing such a quality dog!
Sincerely,
Rodney Brallier
Woodbridge, VA
Working
with Silverbrook Kennels has changed my outlook on hunting retrievers
and my entire hunting experience. The purchase of "Emmy" and
"Brook", has provided me the opportunity to own and handle outstanding
working retrievers.
Coleman Andrews
McLean, VA
Pictured with "Brook" & "Emmy"
(Mr. Andrews is the owner of Linden Farm located in Orange, VA. , site
of the 1999 R.A.W. / N.A.H.R.A. Invitational)
Silverbrook Kennels
50 Red Fox Lane
Fredericksburg, VA 22406
Phone 540-720-3661
FAX 540-720-3631
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