RAVE Retriever Reviews.

Read just a few RAVE Reviews below, references available upon request.

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We all have different reasons for sharing our lives with dogs. My reason is plain and simple... they are my passion and I have loved them my entire life. I cannot remember a time in which I have not had a dog or many dogs! And I have had dogs my entire life. I enjoy communicating, training and living with them, but most of all I love hunting with them. For then I get to share their intensity, enthusiasm and desire to live in that moment. The look in their eyes as they see the approaching ducks, their breathing, the trembling, the ready to go posture. To allow a dog to do what it is bred to do is so very important to their relationship with you. When you share something so enjoyable with your dog, you are the most important thing in their universe. They are ready to go anytime you move. I learn something new every single day from observing them adapt to, and face, new challenges. I am inspired by the way they love and live every day to its fullest.

 - Debra Lee, RAVE Retrievers in Jourdanton, Texas

First, thank you for everything you have done, not only Doc, but for Luke and I. We came to you with a dog that had many precious problems- health and behavioral. Beyond that… a GSP. The biggest change has not been with Doc but it is the knowledge we have learned from you, how to treat and handle dogs. We changed our behavior and Doc naturally improved from us being consistent and fair. This is an every day commitment and it took Luke at least 4 months to get Doc slightly obedient. Then, 7-8 months to have obedience in recall and consistency in returning. It now has become a shared frustration to see people drop their dogs off and never come to class or take class seriously- because it all starts with the handler! If you stick with it, I promise you will enjoy the process in seeing your dog succeed. We enjoyed bringing Doc along so much that we now have another pup that Debra found for us to add to the family.

​What I found was a world that opened up to me and my dog to pursue the journey of becoming a retriever and handler. I had no real experience or truthfully interest in hunting but when I read Debra’s website about the beauty of seeing a dog pursue the purpose of what it was bred to do, something stirred inside me. I had recognized this in my own dog, whose prancing through my backyard being a “city” dog had something more to it. It harkened to a time when his ancestors likely trotted through fields in England proudly carrying a partridge or pheasant. I was excited for the opportunity for him to learn and in doing so, for me to learn as well.

My outcomes? Well, my dog became a retriever — a beautiful sporting dog who sits quietly when hunting and brings a bird to hand. But the real result was my own capabilities. I leaned to be a better dog owner, sports woman and handler. Of course it’s not always perfect — nothing ever is — but I got so much more than I was even looking for.

Debra displays honesty, integrity, and a wealth of knowledge about training dogs.

Amazing and knowledgeable has trained both my lab and GSP.

​You should brace yourself for direct communication and clear rules. There is nothing aggressive or rude about Debra’s communication style — it’s simply a necessity that when dealing with humans, dogs and sometimes guns you need a clear leader who lets nothing slip. No flip flops, no chewing gum, no alcohol. It’s common sense but as we all know some people lack that these days. If you aren’t prepared to be comfortable with common sense and clear boundaries, this may not be the trainer and club for you.

​Hire Rave Retrievers if you want to learn. Hire Debra if you want to see your dog through new eyes and unlock all they are capable of. Don’t let excuses stand in your way (my Golden was a spoiled 3 year old before I started classes). If you are committed and ready to put in the work required to be a true partner to your dog in the field, you won’t regret it.

I have been a client of Rave’s since 2016. Initially I was interested in finding an active boarding kennel for my Golden Retriever when I was having back surgery. I wanted him to get additional obedience training and enjoy swimming and running around. I also wanted him to be cared for by someone who truly loves dogs, which was evident in Debra from the moment I read her site and talked to her on the phone. But I couldn’t have expected what would come next.

​I learned quickly this is not your average boarding kennel. Debra invites her clients to immerse themselves in training their dogs, becoming silent observers as our dogs are so often of us. Through that we learn how to trust our dogs’ instincts, to follow their gaze into the skies to see a pair of pintails circling or to back slowly away from a snake lurking at the water’s edge. She trains dogs, yes, but she also trains their owners, through her weekly classes in which you see more than you hear and follow more than you are told; her exclusive Facebook group posts in which you will find camaraderie and insight; her classes at her kennel or various training facilities which offer a variety of scenarios useful for a retriever owner — ponds, fields, wetlands, boats, agility courses, haybale climbing, duck call practice, and more. Debra makes it fun and there is always something new that she’s bringing to her classes, either a new perspective, tool or tactic as Debra herself is a lifelong learner.

​I am so grateful to have found Rave Retrievers. Debra trains and teaches the dog and the owner. She is excellent in explaining and showing each command from the dog’s perspective. From basic obedience to advanced gun dog training she is training the dog and and owner as a team with success as the ultimate goal. Every aspect of her work comes from the love of the dog. Highly recommended.

I have known Debra since 2007. She worked miracles for my Labrador Jack and my family! She has trained three of my dogs over that time and I would never go any where else! She is knowledgeable, hard working, honest and dedicated not only to the dog being trained but to the family as well! Best training you will find any where! Definitely would recommend!!

Debra is an incredible trainer and so dedicated to training humans to understand their dogs. We have sent two dogs through her program and have been so grateful for all she taught us.