I was searching the internet for a rock solid HUNTING dog, and came across John's information. Immediately interested in the dogs John had available I sent him an e-mail. I explained in an email exactly what I was looking for in a dog. John had several dogs for sale, and we went over each dog as to it's potential to meet my needs as a duck hunter. There were several younger dogs that had shown strong desire, but were far from being ready to hunt. According to my needs, John insisted that I take "Chico", a little older, started dog that was well on his way to being a duck hunting dog. After sending a deposit, I drove to Murfreesboro to meet John and pick up Chico. Consistent with the other "references", John and his lovely wife invited me in their home, and treated me like family, actually better than family! I got to meet and bond with "Chico", and see John's operation. Also, John put Chico thru a series of exercises to let Chico show of for me, to demonstrate basic handling, and to make sure that he was what I was looking for. To purchase a high end hunting dog and drive 12 hours from Iowa, was a huge jump for me, but John assured me that I was purchasing a great dog that would meet and exceed my needs. He was right! "Chico" has been awesome all around. He is easy to deal with in the house, shows great potential on the training field, and is a steady, hard charging hunting companion. In my opinion Chico is a shining example of what you can expect from John Walker and Cedar Grove Kennels.

Ben Blake Indianola, Iowa

November 2008

In the fall of 2006 I got my first dose of duck hunting and I was hooked.  A friend of mine who is a long time duck hunter invited me to go duck hunting one morning.  I had never been before and could not imagine enjoying being on the river with the temperature being 17 degrees.  After we got set up and the birds started coming in, I couldn't believe the fun.  My friend told me that he usually uses a yellow lab to do the retrieval work, but due to the dog's age, he felt she needed to be retired for her own safety.  I am a big fan of dog work as I also run rabbit and coon dogs.  A short time later, I was the owner of a new lab myself.  I had every intention of training the dog myself, but after extensive research, I quickly found out that for the best interest of the dog, and myself, I needed to turn to a pro. 
 
After looking on the internet I came across the website for Cedar Grove Kennels.  I was impressed by the site and sent John an email expressing my interest as well as my inexperience to the working retriever.  John quickly emailed me back and for a couple of months we talked back and forth.  John explained every step of his training process as well as what I would need to do once the dog arrived home. 
 
In December of 2007, Bo and I made the trip from southern Ohio to Murfreesboro Tennessee.  I met John and looked over his kennel.  John was very friendly and made me feel very comfortable leaving a part of my family behind.  John kept me up to date through the entire process of the training and I always felt that I knew Bo's progress. 
 
In August 2008, while on the way home from a family vacation, John took the time to show me, and the entire family, Bo's progress at one of his training fields.  On that afternoon, we got to watch Bo make several blind retrieves as well as multiple marks.  Needless to say, I was very pleased with what I was seeing. 
 
In November 2008, I made the trip back to Murfreesboro to pick up Bo.  I was very excited to be there.  John opened his home to me and treated me like family the entire time.  Although the trip had to be cut a bit short due to job obligations, I felt that Bo had been at the very best place he could have been for his training. 
 
John is a very caring person and his love for the animals and his desire to take each dog to their highest level is obvious.  I would highly recommend John Walker to anyone getting into the working retriever sport.  It was a very pleasing experience from start to finish. 
 
Sam Johnson
Bainbridge, OH

April 1, 2008

I contacted John Walker in 2005 interested in his training services for my new yellow lab pup, Tazz(Badazz Razza Tazz).  When I first contacted him, he did not have any openings, and before he had a space available, some health issues came up that prevented him from taking on any new dogs at that time.  He was very apologetic, and was very helpful in recommending other trainers.  After some searching, I decided on one of John's names that he had given me.  I took Tazz to this unnamed trainer in Gallatin in July, who assured me he had a 6 month program that would have her ready to hunt by duck season.  
After three months it was obvious that he had spent little or no time with Tazz, even though he told me that she had been force fetched trained, introduced to live birds & gunshot, and that he had taught her how to swim.  It was also obvious that he used a heavy hand and too much e-collar resulting in her skittish behavior. I was even more disturbed by the physical condition of Tazz when I picked her up.  She had an eye infection, ear infection, fleas and numerous scabbed over rashes and sores on her belly and inner legs that had been there for some time.  My vet said that is was not abuse, but it was definitely a clear case of negligence.  As a lab owner himself, he was very upset that a professional trainer would not take better care of  client's dogs.  Since I supplied heartworm, Frontline, ear cleaner, and eye medicine, there was no excuse for her condition.  It was quite ironic that each month when next months fee was due, he informed me she was making progress, but at all other times is was by his own statement, "One step forward, and two steps back."  It is now obvious he was leading me on just to collect another month's fee. 
After bringing Tazz home, I contacted John again.  He seemed genuinely concerned, and since it was so close to duck season, he suggested I try to hunt her and see how she would do.   She totally "froze up" on her first hunt, and it took all season to get her doing basic retrieves and showing any interest in hunting.  John contacted me frequently during duck season to give me ideas and see how she was doing.  He suggested that I bring her to him at the end of hunting season, since his health had improved. 
John has other references that attest to his ability to rehabilitate dogs that have had bad experiences with other trainers.  He told me on the front end that he would have to go slow with her because of the previous trainer.  He felt that he needed to start completely over.  It ended up taking him twice as long as normal just to "force fetch" her properly.  It took him nine months to get  her ready for duck season.I am proud to say that I am more than pleased with the way Tazz has turned out.  With John's patience and perseverance, she has exceeded my greatest expectations.  I am fortunate to spend the entire winter in Arkansas, usually hunting in excess of 50 days per season.  Tazz  has picked up 400-500 ducks and geese in each of the last two seasons.  Her obedience and steadiness are excellent, and her marking skills are second to none.  The greatest compliments I have received are from my Arkansas "home boy" hunting buddies, who have hundreds of years of hunting experience between them, tell me that she is one of the top one or two duck dogs that they have ever hunted with. 

I would recommend John Walker to anyone who has had a bad experience with a previous trainer.  John takes pride in working with dogs that have been classified as washouts.  My rice farmer in Arkansas calls her "Rehab" rather than Tazz.   He also takes very good physical care of his client's dogs.  He will bring them inside at first at night, so he can bond with them.  The dogs like being with John, which is very rare. You can rest assured that your dog will be trained properly without undue force and pressure by John.    --Cort Riggs (Nashville, TN)

More references....