About Crosscountry Kennels
We develop capable companions
Responsive, confident dogs that are a genuine joy to run with.
We Believe
Great dogs are built from the ground up.
A dog’s drive, instinct, and natural temperament is what makes them unique. That’s why our core focus in training is to understand the dog in front of us then redirect their behavior in a positive way—not change the dog themselves. We start with obedience basics, build trust hour by hour, and then challenge the dog to think in a new way. Our goal is to develop exceptional dogs that are easy to handle and enjoyable to be with, whether you’re at work or play.
Our ProcessOur structured training approach is built on three core values:
1
Foundation before fixes
Strong obedience is the starting point for almost every training goal. Before we focus on a single behavior, we build the trust, responsiveness, and self-control your dog needs to succeed in every setting.
2
We train the dog
in front of us
Every dog brings a different mix of breed instincts, temperament, drive, and personality. We evaluate each dog individually, then shape their training around who they are, what motivates them, and your goals for their development.
3
Well-behaved dogs
are earned
Good training takes repetition, consistency, and continued follow-through after your dog goes home. We help build the foundation, then equip you to keep those skills sharp so your dog can enjoy the freedom and trust that come with good behavior.
Meet the TeamMeet Randy Anderson
Crosscountry Kennels Owner and Award-Winning Professional Dog Trainer
I’ve spent much of my life working with dogs, first through years of training and competing with bird dogs and later through developing sporting, working, and companion dogs at Crosscountry Kennels. Over the course of my field trial career, I’ve traveled across North America, earned more than 1,000 placements, developed champions, won 14 Dog of the Year awards, won the Joe Hurdle Award for Top Dog four times, won the Purina Top Dog Award three times, and claimed the Quail Championship Invitational title four times with two additional Runner-Up finishes. Better than these wins, two of my proudest accomplishments are the inductions of Champion Miller’s Happy Jack and Champion Valiant into the Field Trial Hall of Fame.
The opportunities I’ve had to work with hundreds of exceptional dogs have given me an instinctive understanding of how to read temperament, drive, and potential, then bring out the best in each dog. There’s no better way to build a solid mental and physical foundation than through patient, consistent work that respects what the dog was bred to do.
Our Memberships |
Meet the TeamMeet Bridget Ledington
Caretaker & Kennel Operations Lead
If you’ve spent time at Crosscountry Kennels, there’s a good chance we’ve already met. As Operations Manager, I oversee the daily care of our dogs, manage kennel operations, assist with training, care for our horses, and help oversee our breeding program. My priority is making sure every dog receives exceptional care in a clean, safe, and healthy environment.
Before joining Crosscountry Kennels, I spent 26 years in veterinary medicine. My first 10 years were at a Humane Society veterinary clinic, where I gained invaluable experience working with dogs of every breed, temperament, and background. I then spent 16 years as a small animal veterinary technician specializing in canine reproduction, serving as both a reproduction technician and manager. That experience continues to be an important part of our breeding program and puppy development.
Dogs have always been an important part of my life. I grew up in Idaho with bird dogs and Tennessee Walking horses, and have been competing in horseback field trials for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I’ve bred, raised, developed, and campaigned multiple championship English Pointers and am proud to be only the second woman to compete in our National Championship twice.
Whether I’m caring for our clients’ dogs, helping develop future champions, or supporting our breeding program, my goal is simple—to provide knowledgeable, compassionate care while helping every dog reach its full potential.
Our Training PhilosophyOur training programs give dogs a new mindset and a sharp set of skills built on repetition and reinforcement
Negative-positive-positive (NePoPo) reinforcement training methods
Randy Anderson is a NePoPo® Silver Graduate, trained in the Negative-Positive-Positive system of behavioral work. This training method uses clear pressure, timely release, and positive reward to help dogs understand what’s being asked of them and learn to respond with focus and willingness.
At Crosscountry Kennels, we use NePoPo® principles to build communication between dog and handler without dulling the dog’s natural drive. The result is a dog that’s eager to please, performing on cue, with heart and soul.
Breed-informed training methods
Every breed has unique innate characteristics. A Belgian Malinois doesn’t think like a Pekingese, and a dog bred for protection won’t respond to training in the same way a social dog will. Each breed—and individual dog—learns best at its own pace and pressure level.
Randy’s three decades of experience developing high-performance bird dogs, working dogs, and well-behaved family companions gives him a wide understanding of breed instincts, temperament, and drive. While he’s best known for training champion field trial competitors, the same ability to understand the mindset of each individual dog carries into his work with pets and working breeds.
A series of short-and-sweet learning sessions
Dogs learn best through clear, repeated lessons they can quickly understand and enjoy. Instead of relying on long, exhausting training sessions, we work dogs in shorter blocks throughout the day, giving them time to focus, succeed, play, rest, and come back ready to learn again.
Depending on the dog and training goals, these short sessions may happen in the yard, in the field, on the bench, on the road, around horses, near other dogs, or in new environments. That variety keeps training productive and engaging while helping the dog build skills that carry far beyond a single setting.
There’s no greater companion than a well-trained dog.
Learn more about our on-site dog training programs:
Field trials are won at the dog food pan.
That’s why we build energy and lean muscle tone with: