Best Retrievers, a premier dog training facility in Paige, Texas, has been a cornerstone for retriever enthusiasts and pet parents since its inception in 2006. Founded by Rody and Kristin Best, the business grew from humble beginnings to an operation with seven trainers and a dedicated staff of five managing the office, kennels, and grounds. Located just 35 minutes east of Austin, Best Retrievers has made its mark by training up to 100 dogs at a time in esteemed skill tests and AKC events.
From its early days, Best Retrievers has specialized in training gundogs for hunting and preparing competitive retrievers for prestigious events such as the AKC Hunt Test, Field Trial Program, Master National, and the Super Retriever Series. Rody Best, who has been training dogs for over 25 years, shares, “We mainly train retrievers for hunting and competition. But we also offer all-breed obedience training, puppy training, board and train, and a whelping service.” His passion extends beyond the dogs, as he finds great fulfillment in mentoring his team, saying, “I love seeing a dog advance and learn. I also really enjoy seeing my trainers learn and improve.”
The business has become a family affair, with Rody’s son and his son's wife joining the team two years ago. Their involvement signals an exciting future as they prepare to take over the reins in the coming decade. This generational transition highlights the dedication and love the Best family has poured into their work and the dogs they train.
As the business grew, so did the complexities of managing its operations. Rody recalls how his wife, Kristin, spearheaded the search for a software solution: “My wife was frustrated that there wasn't something out there that was available for businesses like ours. For several years we tried different things, and nobody understood. When we came upon Gingr, my wife felt like it was the best fit for our needs. It is now the backbone of our business and an essential component to our organizational capabilities.”
No software is a perfect fit at first--but thankfully, Gingr is customizable to fit the needs of unique businesses like Best Retrievers. Throughout onboarding, Rody collaborated with Gingr's expert team to adapt the platform to suit their requirements. Rody notes, “We worked with the Gingr staff and were able to make some changes, and now we recommend it to all of the other retriever training operations in Texas.”
The software has revolutionized how the business handles reservations, ensuring precise tracking of dogs coming and going. Rody explains this impact: “Our reservation system was a mess in the beginning. With dogs coming and going all the time, it was nearly impossible to track. And when you have limited kennel space and you are trying to keep a certain number of dogs in-kennel per trainer, it was vital that we be as accurate as possible. Gingr finally allowed us to have better control of that, which made us more organized and able to provide a more consistent and dependable service.”
Through their commitment to excellence, family values, and the right tools to keep operations running smoothly, Best Retrievers continues to set the standard for dog training in Texas. With a legacy rooted in passion and precision, this family-run facility is poised for even greater success in the years to come.
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