About Strickland's Kennels

Ryan Strickland and Reload

I started training retrievers by training my own dog using books and videos. In 1994 I became a bird boy for Mr. Bob Reckart of Amberwood Kennels in OH. I still am, on the occasions that we train together.

You can visit Mr. Reckart's web site at www.amberwoodkennels.net.

After 5 years of throwing birds & bumpers for Mr. Reckart, he let me run his older, more experienced dogs to teach me how it was done. Then after a couple of years was taught the art of Force Fetching, and other retriever handling skills which I still use today as a professional trainer. Over the years I have learned many new techniques of training different types of behaviors that a retriever needs to be a good companion and hunting partner. I have devoted all my training to my own clients since 2004. You can visit my Referral page and call any of our past clients that have agreed to have their name and number shown. I am an avid outdoorsman and I enjoy all types of hunting. But most of my hunting excursions are chasing after waterfowl with a retriever. My personal hunting dogs are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. I do enjoy hunting for deer, doves, and turkeys as well. I work as a full time police officer with the Kenansville Police Department and a Part time reserve Captain with the Beulaville Police Department. Because of my flexable schedule, associate trainer Josh Batchelor, and my great Kennel Support team Natalie and Chelsea Maready, I am able to train nearly everyday.

Josh Batchelor and Tar

Josh started working for Strickland's Kennels nearly 3 years ago when he came looking for help training his older hunting dog and looking for a puppy which we all know now a Tar..

Josh is in charge of all gun dog training for Strickland's Kennels. He is on training them to a started level; which includes obedience training, collar conditioning, force fetching, and basic retrieving skills. I taught Josh everything I know about retriever training as from being a bird boy to running a finished Master Hunter. Josh has also worked with Danny & Peggy Ramsey of Steelshot Retrievers.

Natalie Maready

Chelsea Maready

Natalie and Chelsea Maready are my kennel support team. They are in charge of cleaning kennels, bathing and grooming dogs, airing and exercising the dogs. Natalie has been helping out for about a year now. She is also our baby sitter. Chelsea has been working since early summer 2008. Both of them are also well trained bird girls.