Walnut Creek to Rio Vista: a drive for a hunting dog

Walnut Creek is in the East Bay near Mount Diablo, about 70,000 residents with a median age of 46.8 (Census Bureau). It is the farthest Contra Costa city on this site from Rio Vista, and it is still under an hour away.

Why the drive is manageable

The route heads northeast out of Contra Costa County toward the Delta, about 40 miles and about 56 minutes with no traffic. Commute hours can add time, so choose your drive times with that in mind.

Within that distance, a typical plan is simple: one drive for drop-off, a few visits for lessons, one drive for pick-up. Call Richard to set it up.

Hunting country east of Mount Diablo

The Delta starts east of the city. Marsh, tules and sloughs stretch toward Rio Vista, and Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, about 12,900 acres with about 7,900 acres open to hunting, lies across the water in Solano County (CDFW).

A dog from Walnut Creek often grows up between suburban yards and duck blinds. That is a good reason to train for steadiness and manners early. See the calm dog in the duck blind guide.

Bring a puppy or a started dog

Richard works across the range, from top-level field trial and hunt test dogs to everyday hunting dogs and home companions. The Puppy Camp and Basic Waterfowl Program pages show where each begins.

Whichever you choose, the pattern is the same: the dog boards at Hastings Island and trains there, and you learn to handle it in handler lessons. Richard trains handlers alongside their dogs, one-on-one or in groups.

Clubs for East Bay owners

The Norcal Golden Retriever Club has held a hunt test on California Retriever Training Association property near Suisun City, and the Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Club has run one at Denverton. Both sit about an hour from Walnut Creek.

Check the current events with AKC Event Search. The test day guide tells you what to bring.

Sizing up the first call

East Bay owners often ask what a trainer will want to know. Expect questions about the dog's age, its breed, any hunting it has done and your goals for the season. If you plan to compete, mention the AKC hunt test level you have in mind; the Basic Waterfowl Program and Advanced Waterfowl Program pages describe that track.

Everything else, including how many weeks inside a program's range, Richard decides once he knows the dog; lengths and weekly rates are published.

Hours and timing

Google lists Richard's hours as 8 AM to 2 PM Monday and Wednesday through Sunday, closed Tuesday. Call first so he can set a drop-off time; Wednesday to Saturday works best for him. From Walnut Creek that means leaving in the early morning if you want a full conversation at the preserve.