The Pacific Northwest’s Premier Dog Trainers
Based in Deer Park, 4T’s Gun Dogs provides professional training for hunting dogs, family companions, and working dogs. Programs include obedience and reactive-dog training, gun dog and retriever development, protection, performance, blood tracking, and boarding.
TOUCH • TIMING • TENSION • TALENT
Choose Your Training Path
Whether you need a more reliable family companion or a finished hunting partner, begin with the training path that best fits your dog and your goals.
Obedience Training
Reactive-dog training, foundational manners, advanced obedience, confidence, recall, and off-leash reliability.
Gun Dog Training
Flushing, pointing, retriever, and performance programs developed for hunting, hunt tests, field trials, and competition.
Built on the Four T’s
Our approach is guided by four principles that shape how we communicate with each dog and develop dependable performance at home and in the field.
Touch
Balanced handling, pressure, encouragement, and communication tailored to the individual dog.
Timing
Clear commands, rewards, and corrections delivered at the right moment for better understanding.
Tension
Structure, accountability, and leadership that help dogs understand expectations and respond reliably.
Talent
Recognizing and developing each dog’s natural ability, temperament, breeding, and potential.
What Dog Owners Say
Read recent Google reviews from owners who have trusted 4T’s Gun Dogs with obedience training, gun dog development, boarding, and performance programs.
Alex Baier
3 months ago
Donaye and April are phenomenal. The progress my 6 month old made in 2.5 weeks of their boarding program was outstanding. They are knowledgeable, take the time to show you what they are doing and why, and great with the dogs.
Can't wait to bring my pup back in a couple months for some 1:1 sessions and future finishing.
Could not recommend more.
Ezra Wagener
4 months ago
I had a 5yo Deutsch Drahthaar who didn’t know or understand what bird hunting was. He couldn’t hold a point, couldn’t find birds, and would only stumble into them by accident before flushing them instantly. He just wasn’t interested in the hunt.
In desperation because Walter just wasn’t hunting the way I knew he could, I called my friend Joe and told him I needed to send this dog off to training He said there was a guy in WA, and that he honestly wouldn’t send me anywhere else than him.
So I called that guy.
Fast forward three months…
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but April and Donaye proved that’s simply not true.
I couldn’t be happier with the training Walter received. From the beginning, the communication was excellent, and it was obvious they genuinely cared about his progress and well-being.
The transformation is incredible. April and Donaye have turned a complete dingus into an upland bird hunter and blood tracker that I’m genuinely proud of. Walter is obedient, heels beautifully, understands his e-collar, holds solid points, stands through “whoa,” and does everything you’d expect from a well trained hunting dog.
Just as importantly, they didn’t just train my dog, they also taught me how to continue building on the foundation they’ve given him. Their knowledge, patience, and passion for what they do is very obvious in every aspect of what they do.
If you’re considering sending your dog to training, look no further. I can’t recommend April and Donaye enough. Thank you both for giving Walter the skills and confidence to become the hunting partner I always knew he could be!
Tonja Ames
4 months ago
Our German Shorthair Pointer Gabi went to 4Ts at six months of age and two months later Gabi was ready to go Hunting. Donaye and April were great they kept us informed every week with videos and updates by phone on how Gabi was progressing. We really enjoyed their attention as if Gabi was one of their own. We couldn’t be happier with their training we would recommend them to anyone who asks in the future. We hope to hunt with them during the season. Jeff n Tonja. Thompson Falls Montana.
Pete Sgrenci
4 months ago
Donyae and April are a great team.
They boarded our cocker and treated her like family. April taught obedience training. and Donyae worked on the field training. Our puppy learned a lot in a short period of time. We are very impressed with these two, and highly recommend them.
Pete
Tricia Burchett
4 months ago
My husband worked with Donaye to train his dog for Junior Hunt, and we had one important request—no e-collar use due to his training certifications. Donaye was honest that it might take a little longer, but he was absolutely willing to work with us—and he delivered!
After a few months of training, they’ve already earned two legs toward their title. It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch them grow and succeed in this environment.
We’re so grateful to Donaye and April for their knowledge, guidance, and patience. They’ve been amazing to work with, and we truly appreciate everything they’ve done for our team.
We recommend them 10/10!
Nathan Wehrman
6 months ago
They've been excellent in taking my pointer from a normal fun loving house dog to one that truly loves her job. She is thrilled to go out and hunt and she's extremely good at it. They use a large variety of training tools and have really shaped my dog into what she is today without having to use harsh treatments.
Luuk Stryte
6 months ago
The real deal.
When it comes to a trainer and breeder. Donaye and April are world class. I got my dog from Donaye. First bird dog ever. Right out the gate, this dog showed tons of potential and high quality features. My family and I are super happy with him and it’s even more special Donaye and April get to train him. They have a dialed in training style. It feels like they’re coaches. Guiding you as the owner the whole way.
If you’re looking for a high quality breeder and trainer, Donaye is your guy.
George Alexander
9 months ago
Donaye and April are amazing to work with. We have a pointing lab pup and Donaye worked with us to come up with a training plan for our Vera. We’ve had Vera with 4T’s for both training and boarding numerous times when we are out of town, and she is treated like family!
Vera’s first trip hunting had two perfect points, with the second one being on some grouse we could have just walked by as the birds were in thick cover.