Wind River Canine Partners, Dog Training & Boarding
  
 125 Google reviews 
 
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 Jason Watkins 
 
December 21, 2023
 
 
  
Wind river was a great way to get foundational training when our busy life caring for young children didn't allow us to put the time into our puppy the way we needed to. We sent a hyper, non-obedient dog in hopes that we would see some improvement. Kevin spent 2 weeks training the basics of sit (applied stay), place (applied stay), and walking on a leash.  When he came back to us, we couldn't believe how well he behaved. With our commitment to ongoing training, our dog has continued to flourish. We couldn't be happier with the results.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Elizabeth 
 
January 20, 2023
 
 
  
We love Wind River Canine Partners for several reasons. 1) We feel confident and safe leaving our dogs in their care. I have 3 dogs. 2 of our dogs need medication and they are able to administer it to them. Our border collie, bull dog is scared of gun shots, and fireworks. They make sure she feels safe and confident. Our chihuahua can be grumpy but he is so happy when we come here. Our American Bully gets plenty of outside time, play and socialization. 2) Their training results speak to their dedication and hard work. We did a two week board and train last April with several follow up sessions for our American Bully. She was 4 months at the time. Lydia did such a great job with her. Our dog is now 1 and is still very motivated to do all of the training Lydia helped her with. The training we learned from Lydia also transferred to our other 2 dogs and helped us form new habits creating a more peaceful home environment. Also, our dog loves Lydia! 3) They are continuing to work with us as we prepare our American Bully to start training to become a service dog. We highly recommend their services.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Denise K Brannan 
 
October 18, 2023
 
 
  
I chose WR for the obedience training as a recommendation from a peer. Kevin Alford was to be my corgi’s (7.5 mo) trainer. After 2 weeks of B&T, the transformation of my pup was amazing. Buster was not the head-strong boy I left in their care. I couldn’t be more pleased. The entire staff had my Buster’s well-being in mind.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Vicki Arduini 
 
July 10, 2023
 
 
  
We are extremely happy with Wind River.  First we had our timid girl stay there for daycare.  The staff goes above and beyond to make sure your dog is with other dogs with the same energy level.  They don't just put them all in an area together. We have also had our pup here for foundation & partnership training, fantastic, and then for the advanced off leash training.  Kevin did such a great job.  Our fear, living in a rural area, was that she would take off after a deer or other wildlife.  After a board and train session with Kevin our girl comes running back every time we call her.  We don't have to use whistles or e-collar.  We especially appreciated the included hour long training sessions with us to reinforce with she had been taught. Thank you Wind River Canine Partners and Kevin for such a great experience!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 R Gal 
 
February 22, 2019
 
 
  
Awesome trainers. The staff here knows what they are doing and gets the best out of a dog. My golden retriever loved staying here and doing service dog training with the staff. The results are impressive if you as the owner are willing to work with their staff and implement their suggestions on how to interact with your dog. Can’t recommend them enough.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Jessica Smith 
 
April 10, 2024
 
 
  
We did private training lessons from Elena and it was incredible! Our new pup is doing so great now thanks to her! Everyone was always super friendly and great to work with! Highly recommend! :) Thank you so much!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Boo Bear1982 
 
December 28, 2023
 
 
  
Great place to let your dog have a vacation! The staff is great with ALL sizes of dogs.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Steven Carlston 
 
June 16, 2023
 
 
  
Very knowledgeable trainers We have had several rescue pups  come out of there with skillz!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Naomi Williams 
 
February 21, 2019
 
 
  
Had the privilege of working with Alle for service dog training and it was a wonderful experience during the process but the helpfulness after my dog Rocket graduated was beyond what was required.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Mary Beth Egan 
 
November 22, 2023
 
 
  
Exceptional care and concern in their boarding- and their training WORKS!  I recommend Wind River without hesitation.  They changed our relationship with our puppy from chaos to calm and enjoyable.  Their training is dog- and human-kind.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Sadie Viergutz 
 
May 10, 2021
 
 
  
I literally can't say enough good things about Wind River. It is a 40 minute drive...one way...from our house, but we wouldn't consider going anywhere else. When we first moved to Missoula we struggled to find overnight care for our bulldog. She is high maintenance both medically and socially. She can be a bit of a bully if she is hanging out with anxious/not confident dogs and was a cleft palate pup so is prone to pneumonia. We had actually been asked not to come back to a local facility that only breaks their groups up into "large" and "small" categories regardless of play style. They said that she required too much handling. Wind River has had no issues with her and integrates her into small play groups where she gets to have fun, but isn't allowed to be a diva. When we adopted a puppy during quarantine, we had a lot of issues getting him socialized and he developed some reactivity towards other dogs on walks. We decided to send him to the Board and Train program. It was expensive, but worth every cent. Ally sent us regular updates and videos of what they were working on so that we knew how to continue once he got home. We got an awesome hand off lesson where she showed us all of the ways that they had worked to make him more connected, more confident, and less reactive. It has been a lot of work to bring what he learned at "boot camp 😂" home, but Ally has been there for us with the included follow up lessons. We have had nothing but great experiences with Wind River. I completely trust them to care for my kids and they have given us so many tools to improve our all around relationships with our dogs.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Elizabeth McNeilly 
 
February 22, 2019
 
 
  
The new owner trained my black lab Maggie, did amazing job. She also goes there for daycare it is always tired when she comes home and loves every minute of it. The staff is wonderful everything is clean and organized. And my dog is always tired and happy I’ve never been happier with the training I received when my dog was a needed it. I would refer any dog family to canine partners
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Hannah Tellier 
 
January 2, 2024
 
 
  
I brought my first dog here in 2020 to start service dog training. We worked with Ally and have had the best experience. The whole team was amazing with my pup. We planned on doing owner training with support from a professional. Nothing could have been more perfect. Ally gave me space to work on what I knew how to do and helped me learn how to train things I didn’t know yet. We worked hard and the outcome was amazing. With my newest puppy, I trained him with Kevin. He was very gentle and kind to him and trained him the way he needed. Kevin pays close attention to your dogs and works with them to support their learning style. He is very knowledgeable and explained everything in a way I could easily understand. All four of my dogs love coming here. They have made wonderful friends and have a place to run and play. The facility is set up so there are multiple small groups of dogs. Rather than just one large play group, dogs are separated by size, temperament, and play style. I feel confident that my dogs are safe and happy when they board or come for daycare. Best part is, my puppy comes home tired and ready for a nap!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Mary Newpower 
 
June 11, 2023
 
 
  
Wonderful people, superb training highly recommend
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 MariahLynn Macy 
 
August 17, 2025
 
 
  
Absolutely an ama,8ng place with ama ing staff.  My dog loves it there
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Emily Rogers 
 
August 10, 2020
 
 
  
My shih tzu, Tucker, loves this place!! I was nervous with him being a little dog and most of the dogs there at the time being large. But they were very careful to place him with gentle bigger dogs :) Everything went very smoothly. Tucker will definitely be back!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Jen Premselaar 
 
August 6, 2026
 
 
  
I have been seeing Caleaha for private lessons for my dog Bodhi.  I've worked with tons of trainers in the past with my rescue dogs and their various behaviors and Caleaha is the best I've ever worked with.  She is very clear, explains things in a very articulate manner and the difference she has made with Bodhi has been amazing.  Most importantly, she has trained me beyond the skills I had so I can continue to work with Bodhi in between lessons.  I highly recommend her and Wind River for boarding as well.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 David Hilburn 
 
August 12, 2020
 
 
  
Wind River Canine Partners hands down is a 5 star operation. From the staff to the kennels for the dogs, you will not be disappointed!  My dog did not have aggression issues he was just overwhelming.  Also, he loved to chase cattle and horses. I live in Denver so I was looking for a well rounded training.  I found Wind River Canine Partners online and setup an appointment with Kelsey to board and train my Hovawart, Brett.  From the beginning I was very comfortable with their process.  Kelsey displayed amazing ability to formulate a training plan suitable for the dogs environment.  Eventually, met Haley and found her to be a huge part of Brett's success.  *Ask for Haley if you go the training route!! These two are dog whispers!! The staff was also very accommodating.  Always there to assist and let me stop by to say hi to my boy!  Brett completed the Foundation, Advanced, and Off leash partnership in 5 weeks.  Frequent communication, friendly staff, and value!!  I would highly recommend Wind River Canine Partners for boarding or training.  Thank you so much Wind River Canine Partners!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Ellis Juhlin 
 
February 13, 2026
 
 
  
We LOVE Wind River, I cannot say enough good things about the kennels and especially Elena. She has helped us learn how to communicate with and support our herding breed rescues and helped both our pups overcome tremendous hurdles! We tried several other types of training at other places but nothing seemed to work for Zayda to feel less reactive and just comfortable in new situations. Then we found Wind River. The dog Zayda is today is a complete 180 from the skittish pup we rescued, and we have Elena to thank!! She is the only person Zayda will choose to run to instead of me. Her care, commitment and ability to adapt to meet a dog where they’re at is inspiring.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Jason Ditsworth 
 
March 8, 2024
 
 
  
Great place to take your dog to play with other dogs. Our Bernedoodle has a blast at daycare. Great boarding service as well.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Bonnie Netzley 
 
February 13, 2024
 
 
  
We just started using this kennel for boarding. The staff is kind and communicative. I felt very comfortable leaving my dogs with them while my husband and I flew out of state for 4 days. Definitely going back!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Ivvy Craig 
 
December 19, 2024
 
 
  
Love this place. They do a great job with my disabled dog, and their training is next level. I use them for boarding while I am gone on vacation and my dogs always come back to me happy as can be. I did the board and train with my hound mix, and I would say that he was a totally different dog when I got him back. Best thing I could have ever done!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Abby Shea 
 
August 15, 2025
 
 
  
My husband I recently boarded our two Goldens Harper and Hobbes with Wind River for a week and I couldn’t be happier with how professional, communicative, and passionate the kennel staff are! HUGE shoutout to Olivia and Savannah for taking such great care of our two babies and keeping us updated each day of our trip with a small add on! The facility is amazing but the staff is really where this business shines! We’ve never left our dogs for longer than a night but Wind River ensured they stayed together in play groups that would keep them safe, happy, and healthy. While we were anxious and worried sick about how they would do away from us, they were SO HAPPY and spent the week playing with friends, swimming, and just having a blast!! (Evidenced by the many pictures Olivia and Savannah sent us!) Wind River is the only place we’ll now trust with the cutest and fluffiest members of our family!!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Joy Elzea 
 
March 8, 2024
 
 
  
Kevin has done a wonderful job instructing and training our dog.  We highly recommend him!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Taylor Dowell 
 
February 25, 2019
 
 
  
Amazing trainers, they work miracles! Best boarding facility in the area, my dogs always get all the exercise and attention they need and are EXHAUSTED from playing so much when I pick them up!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Shannon Kimmell 
 
August 14, 2024
 
 
  
To say I'm satisfied with my experience with Wind River Canine Partners would be a major understatement! Words can't completely describe how blown-away and ecstatic I am with the support and training I recieved. I brought my dog, Casserole, to Elena for private lessons to address Cassie's reactivity to dogs (and my anxiety surrounding it!). Elena is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and her experience really shines through. She was very up-beat and receptive to my questions and concerns, and her confidence and clear planning for my dog really set us up for success. I really appreciate how her training prepares us for real life situations. I seriously couldn't be happier! The group hikes are fantastic and easy to sign- up for, and I love them as an opportunity to continue reinforcing our training in a safe environment; I go as often as I can! Finding help for you and your dog that you can trust can be very scary and stressful, but if you need help with your dog, don't hesitate to contact Wind River Canine Partners!
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 George Havens 
 
October 24, 2021
 
 
  
Nice facility with an outstanding staff.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Emily Adams 
 
September 18, 2022
 
 
  
Wonderful people working for a wonderful cause
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Mary W 
 
September 25, 2022
 
 
  
Definitely recommend wind river canine and specifically Kevin. We took the foundations and off leash courses and I can honestly say the differences on off leash outings are like night and day. My dog is a high drive dog that wants to go,go ,go! And now we can do that, but she and I have learned that there are some basic rules🤣. Kevin was really great at training me and great at answering questions, helping me to understand the methods, etc…..I also really liked having lessons in a variety of settings, so much more real life situations than meeting in say an indoor facility. I really liked having private lessons over a group class setting. I know for a fact, I would not have gotten to where we are now being off leash without Kevin’s expertise.
  
 
 
 
 
 
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 Thomas Kostelnik 
 
July 14, 2021
 
 
  
Ally is a great trainer and has been a great resource for us. All the staff is friendly and really willing to help. You can definitely tell everyone's heart is all in on the animals they get to interact with. Highly recommend!