Willow Creek Kennels & Hunting is a progressive dog training kennel and shooting preserve near Little Falls, MN. Located on 266 acres, Willow Creek offers a mixture of ruffed grouse and pheasant habitat ideal for training grounds and leisure upland hunting. The landscape features young aspen tree lines, intermixed agricultural fields and numerous small ponds and streams.
Established in 2000 by Chad Hines and later joined by his wife, Tracy, Willow Creek has grown into a training kennel that can offer customized training programs.
Established in 2000 by Chad Hines and later joined by his wife, Tracy, Willow Creek has grown into a training kennel that can offer customized training programs.
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Check out a recent interview on the Sporting Dog Talk Podcast with Tony Peterson and Chad Hines. Willow Creek is constantly seeking ways to incorporate a more positive approach to training all breeds of dogs, utilizing both researched methods and innovative experimenting. We typically book out several months in advance, sometimes longer during peak training months.
Develop whoa, here, heel and kennel with positive reinforcement, collar conditioning, and many other methods. Most dogs will have a handle on stop to flush, if they bump the birds we will whoa them if they are ready for it in the final week. If you are looking for advanced training it is recommended to allow for at least 3 months of training.
One Month Program for Upland Flusher / Retrieving Breeds - Recommended Age is 8 - 10 Months Old. Extending this training beyond one month would allow for work on a conditioned retrieve, sit to flush steadiness training, hand signals, increased marking abiliity and difficulty, blind retrieves and more experience.
Willow Creek German Shorthairs are bred for early development, intelligence, bird drive, natural ability, bird sense and a cooperative. The studs we use are our own. On occasion we take a favorite female to an outside male to bring in some great complimentary traits for our lines. Our German Shorthair puppies are serious hunting dogs that excel at both upland and waterfowl and are equally comfortable pursuing grouse, woodcock, ducks and geese.
Reviews (9)
Chris Reilly
Jun 28, 2022
Amy Valine
Feb 16, 2022
Hi Willow Creek Team! I just wanted to say that we LOVE our pups. I literally cannot go anywhere without people stopping to say how beautiful and well behaved they are. The excellent breeding is apparent in the mannerisms, body lines, and coats. 100% recommend Willow Creek Kennel to anyone looking to have a German Short-Haired Pointer join their family. BEST DOGS EVER! Many thanks again, Amy Valine Copper Valine (son of Emma x Charlie in 3/2015) Maverick Valine (son of Mya x Honker in 7/2021)
Lori Larsen
Dec 18, 2021
Randy Kobienia
Jul 29, 2021
Excellent. Simply Excellent. The entire process from "the search for the right breeder, " to the "search for the right breeding pair, " to the wait for the pup to the first month of training with Jordan to the subsequent weeks worth of training while on vacation, Willow Creek Kennels has met and exceeded my expectations for my first GSP. I only owned and hunted labs prior to getting my Schmidt (Honker x Mandy 2020). Tracy and Jordan have spent countless hours on the phone, answering my emails and texting for the past 2 years (1 year before breeding to now).
Thank you so much for your patience. The Sky's on Fire picture is Schmidt at 5 months. He staunch pointed 5 of the 6 birds. The solitary picture is Schmidt at 1 year old. Won't go anywhere else when I start the process for GSP#2.
Thank you so much for your patience. The Sky's on Fire picture is Schmidt at 5 months. He staunch pointed 5 of the 6 birds. The solitary picture is Schmidt at 1 year old. Won't go anywhere else when I start the process for GSP#2.
Anna Quici
Jul 21, 2021
I cannot say enough good things about Willow Creek. It took me over a year to decide where I wanted to adopt my GSP puppy from. I am very specific and give more regard to my pups than most things in my life (as bizarre as it seems). After realizing that I wouldn't find what I was looking for within my home state of PA, I decided that despite the length of the journey I may have to take, I was going to travel to travel wherever I needed to go to welcome the newest member of my family!
As stated earlier, I cannot praise Willow Creek enough. I chose them because of every other (many) GSP breeders I researched, they seemed to care for their dogs the most. The photos of their own young children with the new puppies, of their breeding dogs mingling with the family home, of the adoptables stumbling through the tall grass of the family farm made my heart melt. Tracy was absolutely wonderful.
I told her exactly what I was looking for and she was wonderful. She helped me find the newest member of my family - and after a year, I only thank them more! Image 1: the first intro picture to my pup. Image 2: Kaiser on his first birthday. Hiking proud!
As stated earlier, I cannot praise Willow Creek enough. I chose them because of every other (many) GSP breeders I researched, they seemed to care for their dogs the most. The photos of their own young children with the new puppies, of their breeding dogs mingling with the family home, of the adoptables stumbling through the tall grass of the family farm made my heart melt. Tracy was absolutely wonderful.
I told her exactly what I was looking for and she was wonderful. She helped me find the newest member of my family - and after a year, I only thank them more! Image 1: the first intro picture to my pup. Image 2: Kaiser on his first birthday. Hiking proud!
Kyle Gavin
Feb 05, 2021
We purchased a puppy from Willow Creek last summer and could not have been more happy with the entire experience. Tracy was always very responsive to our questions concerning the Willow Creek philosophy, pedigree, expectations for ability & disposition, purchase process, and pick up process. With all of Tracy's help, we became very comfortable and felt so prepared to bring our puppy home.
As for the most important part.the puppy.we have been simply amazed at what a great dog he is. A true pleasure to train from day 1 with bountiful intelligence and a strong desire to please. We are not dog trainers, yet his obedience came quite easily. As for hunting ability, he has excelled with everything asked of him from the very first retrieving drills, to his introduction to birds and the gun.
His hunting work with very experienced trainers has drawn nothing but high praise. There's no question that he will excel with everything from wild birds, to hunt tests, to field trials. In total, our puppy has been an absolute pleasure. He's the sweetest companion for our four small children and we can't imagine our family without him! Thank You Willow Creek.
As for the most important part.the puppy.we have been simply amazed at what a great dog he is. A true pleasure to train from day 1 with bountiful intelligence and a strong desire to please. We are not dog trainers, yet his obedience came quite easily. As for hunting ability, he has excelled with everything asked of him from the very first retrieving drills, to his introduction to birds and the gun.
His hunting work with very experienced trainers has drawn nothing but high praise. There's no question that he will excel with everything from wild birds, to hunt tests, to field trials. In total, our puppy has been an absolute pleasure. He's the sweetest companion for our four small children and we can't imagine our family without him! Thank You Willow Creek.
Dan Ehrke
Jan 09, 2021
I'd like to give a shout out to Troy at Willow Creek Kennels & Hunting. After spending several months working on her basic field commands at home, we brought her back to Little Falls at the beginning of June for six weeks of training. Since day one she's had a strong drive and instincts, but man is she excelling since we've had her back home. Her in-the-field work and obedience growth is remarkable. Troy is extremely talented and it's obvious he cares about the dogs he trains.
His passion is showing big time with our girl! I'd highly recommend Troy and the entire team at Willow Creek. From picking out the right puppy, to training, they have exceeded all our expectations. Give them a look if your puppy needs some training or if you're looking for a special hunting and family companion!
His passion is showing big time with our girl! I'd highly recommend Troy and the entire team at Willow Creek. From picking out the right puppy, to training, they have exceeded all our expectations. Give them a look if your puppy needs some training or if you're looking for a special hunting and family companion!
Kristin Andreae
Nov 02, 2020
Best well rounded GSP's in the nation. Our family has purchased 4 between us all over the years and all have been amazing hunting dogs and great family pets. We also have a winning skijor dog. They are patient and so good with our toddlers We love our Willow Creek dogs and wouldn't consider going anywhere else for GSP's.
Anthony Dillon
May 05, 2020
I recently acquired a trained GSP from Willow creek - Zara. After a rough 20 hour drive up to MN to collect Zara we got to spend a few hours with Troy her trainer watching her work in the field in a variety of conditions and on a variety of birds. I cannot say enough good things about the people, facilities and especially the dogs that this kennel produces, just outstanding. Troy is an amazing trainer and took the time to answer the litany of question the kids and I had for him prior to visiting, during our trip to collect her and following up after our return to NC. He is a wealth of information and how well Zara has been training is a true testament. I highly recommend this Kennel and will certainly be buying any future dogs from them.
