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Dog training at Cross Creek Kennel
Gun Dog Training
Obedience Training
Advanced Training
Hunt Test Competitions
Dog Boarding
Puppy Program
Labrador Retriever Puppies

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Cross Creek Kennel — Dog Training in Crockett, TX

Cross Creek Kennel is a dog training business in Crockett, Texas offering board and train, working from a dedicated training facility. They describe their approach as balanced training (rewards and corrections) and publish pricing from $725 per month.

Crockett, TX • Training facility • 4.6 ★ (21 Google reviews)

Verified listing

Last reviewed: Oct 10, 2026

Transparency Score

82 / 100

Highly transparent

How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.

Price transparency
67%
Method transparency
100%
Program clarity
88%

About Cross Creek Kennel

Based on what the business publishes about itself

Matt Larkin has trained retrievers for over three decades, starting with childhood obedience competitions in Dallas before studying geology at Stephen F. Austin State University. He managed Cross Creek Kennel for five years and purchased the operation in 1995. According to their website, dogs trained under his program have earned multiple AKC and UKC hunt test titles. His wife Helena handles office and kennel operations, bringing a background in animal science and veterinary clinic management.

The Crockett facility sits on 30 acres with on-site kennels and access to additional training grounds nearby. Their site describes it as a smaller operation, which they say allows for individual daily attention with each dog. Programs focus heavily on gun dog work: a staged curriculum covering basic obedience, force fetch, and steadiness training aimed at waterfowl hunting. They also offer a standalone obedience program running 9 to 10 weeks that teaches four core commands both on and off leash, with owner coaching built in. For dogs already trained, a pre-season refresher addresses stamina and marking before hunting season opens.

Cross Creek lists affiliations with several hunting organizations including the Hunting Retriever Club, Ducks Unlimited, and Delta Waterfowl. They also breed Labrador Retrievers, marketing puppies for hunting, competition, or family life.

What dog training programs does Cross Creek Kennel offer?

Board-and-train programs here focus on gun dog work and general obedience. The Basic Gun Dog Program runs 5 months at $725/month, covering recall, advanced obedience, and field skills for dogs 6 months or older. A 9-week Obedience Training Program costs the same monthly rate and covers leash work and basic commands. Cross Creek Kennel also offers a tune-up refresher for dogs that have completed prior training, though pricing for that isn't published.

Basic Gun Dog Program

$725 per month

Ask how much of Basic Gun Dog Program happens in person versus online.

This board-and-train style gun dog program moves dogs through three stages: obedience and field introduction with e-collar conditioning, force fetch/mouth work for clean retrieve delivery, and steadiness and marking drills with remote launchers. It combines obedience, retrieve mechanics, and real-world field scenarios over several months.

The dog boards at the kennel across three sequential training stages totaling roughly 5-6 months.

Best for: Dogs at least 6 months old being developed as hunting partners or hunt test competitors.

Requirements: Starts at 6 months of age

Duration: 5 months

Focus: Recall & off-leash, Advanced obedience, Basic obedience

Includes: Boarding included, Food included

Obedience Training Program

$725 per month

This boarding obedience program teaches four core commands, here (come/heel), sit, down, and stay, both on and off lead, along with addressing jumping and other behavior issues. Dogs board at the kennel with food included for the duration of training.

The dog boards at the facility for about 9-10 weeks, and owners are encouraged to visit and learn to give commands.

Best for: Family dogs over 6 months old needing foundational manners and obedience.

Requirements: The earliest we start obedience training is at 6 months of age; dogs must be up-to-date on Rabies, DHP-CPV, and Bordetella vaccinations.

Duration: 9 weeks

Focus: Basic obedience, Leash training

Includes: Boarding included, Food included

Before the Season Tune-Up Training

Price not published.

This refresher program reconditions previously trained hunting dogs ahead of hunting season by rebuilding stamina, sharpening marking distance and accuracy, and tuning up field obedience.

The dog returns for a pre-season conditioning and skills refresher before hunting season begins.

Best for: Dogs that have already completed one of Cross Creek Kennel's training programs.

Requirements: For dogs that have already completed one of their training programs.

Focus: Advanced obedience, Recall & off-leash

Includes: Refresher sessions

How much does Cross Creek Kennel cost?

Both the gun dog and obedience board-and-train programs run $725 per month, with boarding and food included. The gun dog program spans 5 months (roughly $3,625 total), while obedience runs about 9 weeks. Pricing for the seasonal tune-up isn't disclosed on their site.

Board and Train pricing

Board and Train pricing at Cross Creek Kennel in Crockett, TX
ProgramPriceLength
Basic Gun Dog Program$725 per month5 months
Obedience Training Program$725 per month9 weeks
Before the Season Tune-Up TrainingNot publishedNot stated

What training methods does Cross Creek Kennel use?

They describe their approach as balanced training. Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used. Whether they accept dogs with aggression or bite history isn't addressed.

Their public materials mention e-collars. Barklen has not verified how or when they are used, so ask the trainer directly.

Who runs Cross Creek Kennel?

As described in the business's own materials

Matt Larkin, Owner/Trainer

According to their site, raised in Dallas, he began training family dogs and competing in obedience trials as a child. He studied Geology at Stephen F. Austin State University and managed Cross Creek Kennel for five years before buying it in 1995.

Credentials listed on their site: Earned numerous AKC and UKC Hunt Test titles for retrievers trained under his program and 31 years of professional dog training experience. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Helena Larkin, Office manager / kennel operations

According to their site, grew up near Baytown and studied Animal Science with a minor in Chemistry and Biology at Stephen F. Austin State University. She worked at the SFA Beef Farm and later managed a veterinary clinic, where she met Matt. She now runs the office and kennel support and created two online pedigree databases in 2008.

Where does Cross Creek Kennel offer dog training?

Cross Creek Kennel operates from a dedicated training facility in Crockett, TX, offering board and train stays at their facility.

Their site says they hunters seeking retrievers, hunt test competitors, and families wanting a well-behaved companion dog, serving clients locally in Crockett, Texas and across the state.

A smaller training and boarding facility situated on a thirty-acre property, with access to nearby additional training grounds.

The facility sits on County Road 3140 outside Crockett. Parking availability and accessibility features aren't mentioned in their materials.

What should you ask Cross Creek Kennel before booking?

Generated from what their public materials leave open

  • Ask how much of Basic Gun Dog Program happens in person versus online.
  • Ask for current pricing on Before the Season Tune-Up Training, which is not published online.
  • Ask which certifications their trainers hold and who issued them.
  • Ask for proof of liability insurance.
  • Ask if anyone is on-site overnight.
  • Ask how often you will get photo or video updates.
  • Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
  • Ask about current availability and whether there is a waitlist.

Location and hours

708 Co Rd 3140, Crockett, TX

Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday
Closed

How Barklen reviewed this listing

Barklen reviewed Cross Creek Kennel against the business's public materials and published this listing. That is not a check of licenses, insurance, or certifications. See our methodology for what a verified listing does and does not mean.

Details the public materials do not address (aggression and reactivity cases, progress updates, overnight staffing, insurance, guarantee, certifications, and others) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.

Last reviewed by Barklen: Oct 10, 2026

What Barklen could verify

Programs listed
3 programs (board and train)
Published pricing
Published for 2 of 3 programs
Training method
Balanced
Facility
Training facility
Owner visits during programs
Owner visits allowed
Years in business
31+ years

Contact Cross Creek Kennel or request a quote

Contact Cross Creek Kennel directly by phone or through their website, or request a quote through Barklen and we will pass it along.

+1 936-624-2537Website

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