Pro Talks: with Elite Field Master, Curtis Treadway
Curtis Treadway is the owner and operator of Arkana Retrievers in Stamps, AR. For over 30 years, Curtis has been training some of the best Retrievers to ever be titled in all areas of Hunt Test. We visited him in Stamps to learn more about what it takes to be a Field Master.
When you tell people what you do for a living, what do you tell them?
I tell people that I train retriever breeds of dogs to be waterfowl hunting dogs or AKC/UKC hunt test competition dogs. I will usually get dogs certified to a certain level depending on what their owners want.
How did you get your start in dog training?
I started over 30 years ago by paying a wonderful professional dog trainer, Melanie Denicus, to train me as well as my retriever. That was the best thing I ever did. The knowledge of handling training retrievers she provided gave me the basis of everything I know for training. Through the years, I have attended professional training seminars to give me additional drills and techniques that I incorporate into my training program today.
What are your goals for this year with your dogs?
Currently, I am running a full kennel. Depending on what the client wants, I will prepare them for competitions so they have a chance to receive a title. If I think a dog can go further, I will push that dog so it has an opportunity to reach its highest ability.
What do you consider your greatest achievement in your field?
I have had a few dogs reach UKC Grand status. That means a lot because it is the one of the highest levels that you can achieve in retriever hunt tests. I have also had AKC Master Hunter titled dogs. I also was asked to judge at a couple of Grand Hunt Test and for them to have trust in me to do that is awesome.
Why do you trust/feed Sportsman’s Pride?
In the past two years, I have fed Sportsman’s Pride to all my dogs, the consistency from bag to bag is excellent. That tells me that quality control of the product is a priority at Sportsman’s Pride. All the dogs have energy, their coats look good, and there is not a large clean up in the kennels.
What does being a Field Master mean to you?
You can reach people to encourage them to develop their retrievers highest potential whether it is as a family companion, waterfowl hunting dog, or competition level retriever. Having Sportsman’s Pride as a sponsor really allows me the opportunity to share what I love to do with others.
What do you or your dogs do that set you apart from the rest?
I try my best to develop retrievers to achieve quality retriever work at a championship level. I train my dogs in a way where they retrieve enthusiastically and love working. It really is about helping the dog to bring out the passion of the retrieve.
Tell me about you the best dog you’ve ever worked with?
Roo was my favorite dog. She was a chocolate female and developed cancer in her right rear leg at age three. Thankfully, the cancer did not migrate and she returned to health and competitions. Roo always retrieved with passion and a total enjoyment to watch run in a hunt test. She tried so hard to please with following commands. She had style with power.
If we spent a couple of days with you during season, what would we see during that time? Morning, afternoon, evening?
In the morning, we work on obedience and yard work with our younger dogs. Later on we will do drill work with the intermediate level dogs. By the afternoon, we set up marks and blinds with mature dogs.
How do you like to spend your days off?
It is hard to come by an off day in this field but if I get one, I will usually take a ride on my Harley. My wife and I like to do some gardening during summer, and if I can ever take a hunting or fishing trip then it is even better.
