Business Details
33 Years
experience
Expert Dog Training for Obedience & Hunting in Cedar Grove
At Salty Dog Farms, we bring over three decades of expertise in dog training to help pet owners achieve reliable, well-mannered companions. Founded by Larry Sonntag, our approach emphasizes humane, force-free methods that prioritize understanding canine behavior and fostering trust between dogs and their owners. We specialize in obedience training, hunting dog preparation, and problem-solving for dogs of all breeds, from large Great Danes to small Dachshunds. Our programs are tailored to individual needs, whether through private lessons or our guaranteed board-and-train option. With certifications in ForceFree and TMD training, along with affiliations with the Professional Retriever Trainers Association and the International Association of Canine Professionals, we combine proven techniques with personalized care.Our 90-acre training facility in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, offers diverse environments to develop essential skills in retrievers and flushing dogs. Clients from Milwaukee, Sheboygan, and across the Midwest have praised our ability to transform challenging behaviors into lasting results. We pride ourselves on transparency, offering free telephone consultations and a lifetime guarantee on our training programs. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond dogs to educating owners, ensuring sustainable success in every household. This dedication to humane training and client partnership has made Salty Dog Farms a trusted name in dog training for over 30 years.
Services
Obedience Training
Hunting Dog Training
Board & Train Program
Private Lessons
Gun Dog Training
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- We have 30+ years of experience training retrievers and flushing dogs for obedience and hunting.
- Our certified ForceFree and TMD methods ensure humane, effective training without force or bribes.
- We offer a lifetime guarantee on all obedience training programs.
- Our 90-acre facility provides diverse environments for field and waterfowl training.
- Clients praise our personalized approach and proven results with challenging behaviors.
Associations and certifications
- ForceFree Dog Trainer
- TMD Dog Trainer
- Professional Retriever Trainers Association (PRTA)
- International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP)
What people say
Life-changing
Well-trained
Patient and assistance
Amazing change
Expert teacher
Services
Obedience Training
Our obedience programs teach dogs to walk without pulling, wait at doors, respond to recall commands, and follow household rules. Using force-free methods, we address problem behaviors like jumping, counter-surfing, and door-charging through customized training plans. Owners participate in a 90-minute orientation to maintain results at home.
Hunting Dog Training
We train retrievers and flushing dogs for upland game and waterfowl hunting, focusing on quartering fields, delivering birds, and steadiness in blinds. Programs include live bird exposure and AKC hunt test preparation for beginning to advanced levels.
Board & Train Program
Dogs stay with us for 4-8 weeks of intensive training covering basic behaviors and problem-solving. The program includes a personalized training plan and guarantees results, with free follow-up sessions if needed.
Private Lessons
Customized sessions for owners and dogs to address specific obedience goals. Flexible scheduling allows training at your pace with techniques tailored to your dog's learning style and your lifestyle.
Gun Dog Training
Specialized programs develop hunting skills in retrievers, including water retrieves, decoy work, and steadiness. We prepare dogs for competitive hunt tests and real-world hunting scenarios using professional-grade training techniques.
People
Larry Sonntag
Dog Trainer
Larry Sonntag has trained retrievers for 30+ years, specializing in obedience, hunting, and field competition. Certified in ForceFree and TMD methods, he uses remote collar markers for effective training without force. A PRTA and IACP member, Larry combines canine behavior expertise with 20 years of sales training experience.
Questions
What training methods do you use?
We use ForceFree and TMD methods with remote collar markers, avoiding force, yelling, or bribes.
Do you guarantee your training results?
Yes, we offer a lifetime guarantee on obedience training with free follow-up consultations.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Chicago, and surrounding Midwest regions for dog training.
How long does training take?
Programs typically last 4-8 weeks depending on the dog's needs and training goals.
Can you train all dog breeds?
Yes, we train retrievers, flushing dogs, and all breeds from Great Danes to Dachshunds.
Reviews (3)
Mike Breidenbach
Jan 30, 2021
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It has been a year since our Kahlua passed. Looking back this was the best money we have ever spent regarding our dogs. He took what we thought was a good dog and made her amazing. My friends and family still talk about all the time they got to spend in the blinds watching her work. I would not hesitate sending your dog to them!
Elizabeth Schlaefer
Jan 16, 2021
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Small, fun tavern with a talky bartender. What more do you need? Oh yeah, of course the beers are spot-on!
Debbie Forte
Feb 04, 2018
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Never having done this before, I missed my dog terribly. However, I knew that Larry, being a true professional, had Floyd's best interest at heart and was in excellent hands. Given the time frame that I had, Larry was able to complete the required training of my 7-8 month lab. He also gave this novice, plenty of time and pointers to allow me to continue moving forward on my own.
