John grew up on Bayou DeSiard in Monroe, Louisiana, where hunting and being outside were just part of everyday life. He got into retriever training in 2000 after coming across a litter of free puppies at a Fourth of July parade.
He was 13 when he picked out a jet-black, wavy-coated Golden/Lab mix wearing an American flag bandana. He named him Uncle Sam, grabbed a beat-up VHS copy of Water Dog from the library, and just started figuring it out. Sam was the dog that got him hooked and eventually led to what is now Bayou Gundog.
Before training retrievers full-time, John worked as a critical care registered nurse. The job drilled in attention to detail, staying calm when things get chaotic, and putting health first—stuff that translates directly into how he handles and cares for dogs now. He’s big on keeping dogs healthy, sound, and ready to work, not just trained.
These days, John keeps things simple: train the dog in front of him, keep them healthy, and keep getting better—same mindset he started with as a kid and a free pup.
Growing up in a hunting family, Colin has been surrounded by working dogs for as long as he can remember. His passion for retrievers took root in 2011 when his family brought home Bella, a yellow Lab he helped train alongside his dad. He spent years hunting with Bella which deepened his appreciation for well-trained gun dogs and ignited a lifelong interest in canine performance.
In 2022, Colin welcomed his first dog of his own—a Boykin Spaniel named Roxie. Training her from puppyhood introduced him to the hunt-test community and solidified his dedication to developing skilled, confident retrievers.
Colin joined Bayou Gundog in March 2025 as a trainer, bringing hands-on experience, genuine enthusiasm, and a commitment to helping every dog reach its fullest potential.