Flying Squirrel Retrievers

12/06/2025

Looking to get a puppy in 2026? Read this first 🫶🏼

Most people looking for a puppy have no idea what they’re supposed to be asking a breeder. It’s not like it comes up in normal conversation and unless you’ve fallen down the responsible breeder rabbit hole on the internet (Hellllloooo 👋) then nobody really teaches this stuff. But since you’re here, let’s go over it and maybe you can share with your friends.. here’s a simple breakdown from your dog obsessed internet bestie.

1. “Health tested” is not the same as “my vet said they’re healthy.”
Real health testing means OFA or equivalent. It means hips, elbows, eyes, and breed specific DNA panels. You need to verify the results on the OFA.org database with the dog’s registered name or number because I have recently seen people making AI OFA certificates… (just message me, I can help!) OFA also has a list for every breed of what “breed specific” testing you need for a CHIC #. That’s everything your breeder needs to be doing, it’s not a quick visit to the vet.

2. Ask about a contract. A good breeder will always have one.
It protects BOTH of you.
It explains health guarantees, spay/neuter terms, the return policy, and what happens if life changes. If a breeder refuses to take a puppy back at any age, that’s not a breeder you should support.. We should all be striving to keep our dogs out of the shelter systems.

3. Ask them why they bred this litter.
If the answer is along the lines of “we love the mom” “we wanted to teach our kids about the miracle of birth” “every dog deserves to be a mama once” “because blue merle frenchies are fire”….. just walk away.
A ethical breeder can tell you what they are trying to improve, what they loved about the pairing, and what they hope to see in structure, temperament, and longevity.

4. Look for a waitlist, not “available today.”
The puppy market is weird right now, and people do back out at the last minute.. having a puppy available after evals isn’t a red flag. However, constantly having puppies available with no wait, and breeding more while struggling the place the last litter? That’s something to think about.

5. You don’t have to “meet the parents” to verify quality.
If you can meet mom ahead of time, that’s always great! Maybe she is showing nearby and you can see her in her element. Once mama has puppies, her hormones aren’t herself and she might be protective or just not into meeting strangers.. not a true representation of her temperament. Also, dad might be across the country. When we pick our studs, we pick the best one for our females… and location has absolutely nothing to do with it.
But you should absolutely look at their titles, health testing, pedigree, and photos. Ask questions about their temperament, what they bring to the program and most importantly if you’re a pet owner, what are they like to live with? That all matters far more than seeing him in person.

6. Ask what they do for early development.
There are so many early curriculums that breeders can be doing with their puppies. It’s a personal choice and every breeder is going to do what they find works best for their program, but they should be doing SOMETHING. Puppy Culture, ENS, ESI, “Badass Breeder” Early Desensitization, Crate Training, Car Exposure etc… If the breeder doesn’t do anything beyond “we hold them,” that’s not enough.

7. Ask how they match puppies to homes.
You shouldn’t pick a puppy based on color or a photo. Ethical breeders evaluate structure and temperament to make sure the right puppy goes to the right family. If you’re set on a specific color, be prepared to wait for the puppy to come along that has the perfect temperament for your family (that is also the perfect color) because temperament should always be your number one priority.

8. Look at the breeder’s adults.
You can tell a lot by looking at the dogs they kept. Are they well structured, stable, healthy, do they have good temperaments? Are they titled, proven, and do they have correct breed type? Overall, do they represent what the breed should be? The dogs living in the breeder’s home will tell you everything you need to know.

9. Price shouldn’t be your deciding factor.
A well bred dog from an ethical breeder is usually going to cost more than a backyard breeder. Save your pennies and wait. I know it’s hard to not impulse the cheaper puppy but in the long run, it’s an investment. Paying more for a well bred health tested dog is cheaper than dealing with lifelong genetic issues, difficult temperaments, or unethical practices.

10. An ethical breeder is a lifetime resource.
You don’t just get a puppy, you get support. I joke with my puppy people that they’re my contractual besties.. but for real you get someone to help you with training questions, grooming, feeding, health, and the things you can’t (or maybe just shouldn’t) Google and with me, a best friend. A breeder should care where their puppies end up, not just where the money goes.

If you’re looking for a puppy in 2026 and you want to do it right, save this list. Share it with your friends whose might be searching too. I’m happy to help look over a breeders website and point out questions you should ask!

12/02/2025

11/30/2025

The recent actions have led to a profoundly disappointing week for those dedicated to preserving the integrity of the Labrador Retriever breed. Once again, our national breed club has failed to decisively address a systemic issue that has compromised the breed for far too long.
​The Labrador Retriever Club (LRC) is entrusted with being the authoritative voice for the breed as a whole, and it must resist the influence of registries whose primary focus appears to be financial. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is fundamentally a record-keeping entity; it does not possess the inherent authority or expertise to dictate the breed standard or safeguard its genetic purity.
​If the stated goal was truly to monitor and manage diluted lines, a comprehensive system should have been implemented years ago. This system should mandate a genetic test for every registered dog. Carriers or affected individuals could then be assigned a distinct marker or designation in their registration, similar to the method the Doberman Pinscher Club of America utilized to track and manage albino lines.
​It is perplexing that, with the vast intellectual capital and decades of experience within the Labrador community—including individuals far more educated and skilled at problem-solving—a viable, collaborative solution cannot be forged. The priority must be the integrity and purity of our beloved breed. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with our breed club, arguably one of the largest and most influential in all of purebred dogs, to resolve this crisis. This resolution must be guided by the long-term future of the Labrador Retriever, not by short-term financial considerations.
​In conclusion, dogs that are dilute or carry the dilute gene fundamentally deviate from the established standard of the purebred Labrador and lack essential characteristics that define the breed’s excellence.

11/27/2025

A much needed reminder!
Labrador Retrievers only come in three colors, Black, Chocolate, and Yellow. A purebred Labrador does NOT carry the dilute gene, nor should it be bred or sought after.

🖤🤎💛

11/23/2025

The girls love their redbarninc Air Dried as their morning kibble topper!
We also love it as a complete and balanced treat for training!

10/19/2025

Little Koda is becoming quite the man! In the last month or so he went to his first Specialty, placing first in his 6-9 dogs class!
And this weekend he went to see what a Working Certificate test was all about!
This guy and his mom rocked it! Way to go guys! So proud of you trying out new things!
Koda is now
Flying Squirrel’s Tell Everybody I’m On My Way WC!
Great job guys!

10/06/2025

If You Think Crate Training Is Cruel, You’re Probably Doing Everything Else Wrong Too

Every few days someone tells me, “I’d never crate my dog , it’s cruel.” I understand where that comes from. Nobody wants to harm their dog. But here’s the truth that may sting a little:

Crates aren’t the problem. Your lack of structure is.

If you believe a crate is automatically mean, it usually signals a bigger misunderstanding about what dogs actually need to feel safe, calm, and connected.

A Crate Is Not a Cage — It’s a Bedroom for the Canine Brain

Humans see bars and think prison. Dogs don’t.

Dogs evolved from animals that slept in dens, enclosed, predictable spaces where they could fully let down their guard. The limbic system (the emotional brain) is wired to feel safe in a contained space when it’s introduced correctly. That safety lets the autonomic nervous system shift out of hyper-arousal and into rest.

When I say “kennel” or “crate” in my house, I mean bedroom. It’s the place my dogs retreat to when they want zero pressure from the world , to nap, chew a bone, or just exhale. My German Shepherds and Malinois will often choose their crates on their own when the house is buzzing with activity.

Why So Many Dogs Are Stressed Without Boundaries

Freedom sounds loving, but for many dogs it’s chaotic and overwhelming:
• Hypervigilance: They scan every sound and movement because no one has drawn a line between safe and unsafe.

• Over-arousal: Barking, pacing, and destructive chewing are the brain trying to find control in a world without limits.

• Problem behavior rehearsal: Every hour a dog practices bad habits (counter surfing, jumping, door dashing) is an hour those neural pathways strengthen.

From a neuroscience standpoint, the prefrontal cortex — the impulse-control center — is limited in dogs. They rely on our structure to regulate. A dog without clear boundaries burns out its stress response system, living in chronic low-grade cortisol spikes.

A structured dog isn’t “suppressed.” They’re relieved , free from the constant job of self-managing a complex human world.

Crates Give the Nervous System a Reset Button

Here’s the part most people miss: A properly introduced crate isn’t just a place to “put” a dog. It’s a tool for nervous system regulation.

• Sleep: Dogs need far more sleep than humans , around 17 hours a day. A crate gives them uninterrupted rest.

• Decompression: After training or high stimulation, the crate helps the brain down-shift from sympathetic (fight/flight) to parasympathetic (rest/digest).

• Reset: Just like humans may retreat to a quiet room to recharge, dogs use the crate to self-soothe and recalibrate.

But here’s the catch: PLACEMENT MATTERS!!! My crates in my bedroom are for Little Guy, Ryker and Walkiria, Garage is for Cronos, Guest Bedroom for Mieke and my bathroom is for Rogue and my Canace is in my Shed.

Stop Putting the Crate in the Middle of the Storm

Most people stick the crate in the living room because that’s where they hang out. But think about what that room is for your dog: constant TV noise, kids running, doorbells, guests coming and going, kitchen clatter.

That’s not decompression. That’s forced proximity to stimulation with no way to escape.

If you want the crate to become a true bedroom, give it its own space , a quiet corner of your house, a spare room, a low-traffic hallway, garage , shed. Somewhere your dog can fully turn off. The first time many of my clients move the crate out of the living room, they see their dog sigh, curl up, and sleep deeply for the first time in months.

Why Some Dogs “Hate” Their Crate

If your dog panics, it’s almost never the crate itself. It’s:
• Bad association: Only being crated when punished or when the owner leaves.
• No foundation: Tossed in without gradual acclimation or positive reinforcement.
• Total chaos elsewhere: If the whole day is overstimulating and unpredictable, the crate feels random and scary.

I’ve turned around countless “crate haters” by reshaping the experience: short sessions, feeding meals inside, rewarding calm entry, keeping tone neutral. In a few weeks, the same dogs trot inside happily and sleep peacefully.

Freedom Without Foundation Hurts Dogs

I’ve met hundreds of well-intentioned owners who avoided the crate to be “kinder” , and ended up with:
• Separation anxiety so severe the dog destroys walls or self-injures.
• Reactivity because the nervous system never learned to shut off.
• Dangerous ingestion of household items.
• A heartbreaking surrender because life with the dog became unmanageable.

I’ll say it plainly: a lack of structure is far crueler than a well-used crate.

When we don’t provide safe boundaries, we hand dogs a human world they’re ill-equipped to navigate alone.

How to Introduce a Crate the Right Way
1. Think bedroom, not jail. Feed meals in the crate, offer a safe chew, and keep the vibe calm and neutral.

2. Give it a quiet location. Not the busiest room. Dogs need true off-duty time.

3. Pair exercise + training first. A fulfilled brain settles better. Every Dog at my place get worked at east 4-5 times per day (yes this is why I am always tired)

4. Short, positive sessions. Build up time slowly; don’t lock and leave for hours right away. (I work my dogs mentally for max 15 minutes, puppies shorter, physical activity and play around 20 minutes, when I take dogs for a workout walk around 1 hour walk )

5. Never use it as AVERSIVE punishment when conditioning. The crate should predict calm, safety, and rest. When you are advanced eventually we can use the crate as "time out" to reset the brain after proper conditioning has taken place.

6. Create a rhythm: Exercise → training → calm crate nap. Predictability equals security. ( I have 10 dogs on my property right now so every dog works about 15 minutes x 10 dogs = 150 minutes = 2 1/2 hours. Every dogs get worked every 2 1/5 hours, I do that minimum 4 times per day = 600 minutes or 10 hours. yes this is why I wake up so early and go to bed late lol )

The Science of Calm: What’s Happening in the Brain

When a dog settles in a safe, quiet crate:
• The amygdala (fear center) reduces activity.
• The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis down-regulates, lowering cortisol.
• The parasympathetic nervous system engages: heart rate slows, breathing steadies.
• Brain waves shift from high-alert beta to calmer alpha/theta — the same pattern seen in deep rest.

This is why dogs who have a true den space often become more relaxed and stable everywhere else in life.

The Bottom Line

If you think crates are cruel, you’re missing the bigger picture. The crate isn’t about punishment — it’s about clarity, safety, and mental health.

A dog without structure lives in a constant state of uncertainty: Where should I rest? What’s safe? Why am I always on guard? That life is stressful and, over time, damaging.

A well-introduced crate says: Here is your safe space. Here’s where you rest and reset. The world makes sense.

Kindness isn’t endless freedom. Kindness is clarity. And sometimes clarity looks like a cozy, quiet bedroom with a door that means you can relax now.

Bart De Gols

09/14/2025

I’ve been very behind on posting updates!

A few weeks back we attended a dock dogs event with Poppy and Winnie. Poppy hadn’t been off the dock in a year, and it was Winnie’s first time! Poppy got herself a new personal best of 13’ 8” and a third place overall in the novice division and Winnie gained confidence on the dock and a PB of 6’3” and a second place overall in the amateur division.

We went to an AKC show last weekend, with Winnie and Roo, and Roo got herself a Group 4 placement.

And a UKC show yesterday finished Winnie’s CH title with a Group 2 Placement against some very lovely Gun Dogs!

08/24/2025

Koda, Flying Squirrel Tell Everybody I’m On My Way, played in his last B-Pup class today. BOB, and played in the group ring! Can’t wait to see how he and owner Cailin do in the big boy ring!

08/12/2025

Poppy did it again! Going 4 for 4 on her HRC/UKC Started title passes!
We are so proud of our girl making quick work of her titles!

Again, a huge thank you to Matt of Wanderlust Kennel for putting so much into her, and handling her at her tests! And for him and his family loving her like their own while she’s with them!

And as always, a big thank you to Danielle of Rimfire Retrievers for trusting us with this wonderful girl!

We are happy to have her home, and look forward to jumping at a Dock Dogs event this weekend!

08/06/2025

We are happy to announce we will be holding a health testing clinic Sunday, October 5th!! 🐕 🎉

*An up to date negative Brucellosis test is required for each stud for semen freezing
Respiratory Function Grading pre-registration on the OFA website will be available soon*

Please call our office to get on our waitlist! 😃

08/04/2025

New Title Alert!!
Poppy is now UCH Rimfire’s Spoonful of Sugar WC JH SPOT-ON
Poppy went 4 for 4 on her junior tests and made quick work to achieve her title!
I can’t thank Matt and Lea of Wanderlust for working with her, and handling her, and for loving her like their own!
We can’t wait to see how she does next weekend for the upcoming HRC tests!

Wanderlust Kennel wanderlust_kennel rimfire_kennels Rimfire Retrievers