WIND RIVER CANINE PARTNERS

Pet Training | Service Dogs

Off-Leash Training

Kennel-Free Boarding & Daycare

Wind River Canine Partners is a unique DOG TRAINING, BOARDING, AND DAYCARE facility located just 12 miles south of Missoula on a beautiful ranch in the Bitterroot valley.

We offer small, tailored daycare groups that create healthy play habits for dogs; kennel-free boarding with spacious, natural yards for our overnight guests; and a team of highly educated and skilled trainers to create the strongest partnership you’ve ever had with your dog.

Join our pack today!

Daycare & Boarding

Come stay at the Wind River Ranch! For our boarding and daycare clients:

  • Indoor-outdoor access between our heated & air-conditioned barns and our spacious, natural-grass yards.
  • Dogs can participate in small, hand-selected play groups during the day or have their own space, whichever they prefer.
  • Maximum play group size is 8 dogs, so we can match each dog to others of similar play styles and temperaments. 
  • Staff on site 24/7 so your dogs are always protected, even overnight

Dog Training

Real-world training that caters to the Montana lifestyle. Create the “Go Anywhere, Do Anything” dog that can be your adventure partner, whether that takes you into the woods or downtown. We offer:

  • Foundation Partnership Training
  • Off Leash Reliability
  • Behavior Modification
  • Specialty Skills: Nose Work, Pulling Sports, Bite Work, Therapy Dog, and more!

Service Dog Program

A unique owner-training service dog program that helps individuals with disabilities train their own dogs for specifically tailored tasks to help them live more independent lives. Training for mobility assistance, seizure, allergen detection, psychiatric assistance, and more. 

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Casey Smith profile picture
Casey Smith
April 10, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Great staff and facility! Thank you for training our new pup so well, we will recommend you to everyone we know! :)
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Katlyn P profile picture
Katlyn P
April 10, 2021
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
We kept our dogs there for a few days. They’d slept a few 24 hours after because they were so exhausted. Beautiful property and great service.
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Gene Haire profile picture
Gene Haire
March 11, 2025
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Picked up my 8 month old Mini American Shepherd, Maggie, yesterday after three week board and train. Great experience! Our trainer, Elena Wickman, has been wonderful! Extremely knowledgeable, kind, accessible, and effective. Provided frequent photos and videos of Maggie's progress. Looking forward to our first followup training session on March 1. Highly recommend.
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Emily Weaver profile picture
Emily Weaver
December 12, 2022
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
I have had a great experience with Wind River Canine Partners and I cannot recommend them enough. We put our black lab through the two-week foundation board and train with Kevin (who was absolutely fantastic) and it changed everything! He taught us how to more effectively communicate with our dog and gave us a running head start with her on-leash manners, on top of polishing up all her basic commands. Walks with her used to be exhausting and now they are enjoyable for both of us! I plan to send her back for the advanced training as soon as we can.
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K G profile picture
K G
April 28, 2016
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
This company is truly amazing. The care and passion they put into the job and every single animal they work with is beyond exceptional. I did individual lessons with Ally and I can't express how much I (and more importantly, my dog) loved them! She's incredibly talented, loves what she does and it shows every minute you spend with her. I've heard great things about all the other trainers as well. I've boarded my pup several times through them, too, and she always has a blast! Everyone there is incredibly friendly and wants the absolute best for your pet, so it makes training/boarding/anything so much easier and worth your while. Incredible people and incredible company. Would recommend a thousand times over!
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Terri Jenisch profile picture
Terri Jenisch
July 3, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
When we adopted our energetic Aussie/Bernie/Poo, we knew he would have high energy and would need training. Despite our best efforts, we were not successful at managing his behavior. We decided to invest in training for him in a board and train program that emphasized positive reinforcement. We went with Wind River Canine Partners. We had an interview with Kevin and decided on a three-week board and train. The transformation was remarkable. They were professional and compassionate from the beginning and they kept us updated with regular progress videos and photos. They focused on rewarding Duncan for good behavior and making him successful, which really made a difference. Duncan returned home with a solid foundation of commands and much better manners. Kevin also provided us with a training plan to continue his progress. It was a relief to see Duncan so happy, confident, and well-behaved. The board and train program was a game-changer for us, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the positive impact it had on our puppy!
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Kristin Gyford profile picture
Kristin Gyford
October 17, 2022
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Trainers are super accommodating and really take the time to work with me and my service dog.
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Harley Sanford profile picture
Harley Sanford
February 22, 2019
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
My service dog Cadence has changed my life in ways that cannot be put into words. This has all been possible by the amazing team at Wind River, from their one on one owner training, their board and train, their continuous training over the phone or through follow up training to insure my service dog and I are an amazing team together. I would hands down trust Them with any one of my dogs needs and training!!
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Nikki Pastian profile picture
Nikki Pastian
February 8, 2021
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Amazing facility and trainers. At first we were slightly unsure of what to do when our border collie became protective of us, however trainer, Haley turned this around. Haley's hard work and dedication truly shows through with the amount of love our pup has for her. She has been professional, dedicated, and normalized all our concerns, because of her we now have the confidence to take our pup places again. We cannot wait to continue training with her to expand the positive relationship we now have with our pup.
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Deb Bradford profile picture
Deb Bradford
June 29, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
I gained valuable experience with my pup training with Kevin. I appreciate the time spent learning the proper way to handle situations that I might encounter with people and dogs. I know that it is the person who is ultimately responsible for the reactions of the pup. The training has been very helpful to a great relationship with my new companion!
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Nicole Pressman-Schneider profile picture
Nicole Pressman-Schneider
January 4, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Always a reliable place for my pups to be well cared for. I love that the pups can be together and have room to play. The staff are fantastic at communication and obviously have a love of dogs.
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Rilee Zilkey profile picture
Rilee Zilkey
February 12, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
I cannot say enough good things about Wind River. We’ve been bringing our two dogs there for four years now and every single time I turn down their dirt road, they both perk up and get excited to see their friends. The staff are the absolute best and make sure your dogs know that they are loved. Our smaller dog did the two week board and train and came back better than we could’ve expected. Our older guy is definitely a little grumpy and not as mobile, but they take care of him just as good as we do at home. Thank you, Wind River!
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Mary Newpower profile picture
Mary Newpower
June 11, 2023
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Wonderful people, superb training highly recommend
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Sara Senn profile picture
Sara Senn
September 21, 2022
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Worked with Kevin to train our pug. We worked on obedience as well as behavioral modification. After six training sessions, our girl is a whole new dog, calmer, obedient and a little joy to work with. Thank you so much Kevin. You are the best and I would recommend you to anyone who needs help with their pup.
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Laura Lee profile picture
Laura Lee
September 20, 2017
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Laura very this place. Love these people.
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Abby Shea profile picture
Abby Shea
August 15, 2025
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
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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Ken Marshall profile picture
Ken Marshall
February 22, 2019
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Much wow!
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Tuesday Painter profile picture
Tuesday Painter
December 30, 2023
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
I took both my dogs to wind River for their orientation for daycare. It went great! Staff was super helpful and very kind throughout the process. They do about 3-4 hour orientation which is the best I’ve seen comparing to others which allows your dog to really adjust and see how they will fit in. They also have lots of different play yards to allow all types of dogs to be able to attend daycare! They give you a report card when you pick up your pups which is a cute touch and allows you to really see how their day went.
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Ellis Juhlin profile picture
Ellis Juhlin
February 13, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
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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Elizabeth McNeilly profile picture
Elizabeth McNeilly
February 22, 2019
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
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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Janet Born profile picture
Janet Born
November 20, 2021
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Amarok loves this place! He gets excited and talks until they come to get him out of the truck. It makes it so much easier to go work knowing he’s taken care of.
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Scott Dahmer profile picture
Scott Dahmer
September 14, 2017
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
If you want your dog well cared for....take him/her here.
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Carey Snow profile picture
Carey Snow
October 3, 2023
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Clarify and redirecting my use of verbal, hand and e collar corrections makes an immediate improvement in our pup’s behavior. No more pulling against the leash, or rushing guests at the door or little kids wanting to pet him. Ally is a straight forward communicator and understands how important consistency is to see the best results when working on improving dog behaviors by teaching us owners.
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Janelle Mostad profile picture
Janelle Mostad
January 24, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
I developed epilepsy after An accident. My family did not feel as though it was safe for me to be out in the world by myself without help so we went to Wind River and asked them to train a dog to help me in the case I had a seizure. They did an amazing job. Katie (my service dog) even rode on an airplane with me numerous times. One flight attendant didn’t even realize she was there until we got off the plane because she was tucked under the seat. I was able to educate people not only on epilepsy, but on the requirements of a service dog and show them what Katie could do. If you need help with basic training or more advanced training, I would highly recommend Wind River. Their staff is friendly and encouraging. I can’t even express how thankful I am to wind River.
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Jason Ditsworth profile picture
Jason Ditsworth
March 8, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
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 profile picture
Bonnie Netzley
February 13, 2024
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
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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Steven Goodsell profile picture
Steven Goodsell
August 24, 2021
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
My 4 obnoxious pups absolutely love coming here for the weekends. When we pull on to the road they start hopping around and whining because they know where they are. That they get to get out and play with the staff, and other pups.
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Dee Dee Armstrong profile picture
Dee Dee Armstrong
June 25, 2021
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Friendly staff and great customer service. They really care about the dogs that go there. If a dog is spending the night, the staff will go out and snuggle with the dogs in which I would love to know my dog is really being cared for. High recomend them for day care, boarding and training!
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Chris Patterson profile picture
Chris Patterson
September 16, 2023
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Wind River and Kevin Alford did an amazing job with my 1 yr old GSD/Lab mix. He's a completely different puppy. Money well spent!
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Aaron Madsen profile picture
Aaron Madsen
April 11, 2019
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Seems to be popular

CALL, TEXT, OR EMAIL!

(406) 272-2140

staff@windriverkennels.com

HOURS

Drop off & Pick Up Hours:
Open 7 Days Per Week
7AM-7PM

We are CLOSED from 12:30-2:30PM every day for ranch chores!

Training by appointment only!

ADDRESS

5353 E. CARLTON CREEK RD
FLORENCE, MT 59833

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