Hello my name is Katie Valdez and I’m the owner and operator of LakeHouse Labrador Retrievers LLC. My family has always had a love for dogs. When I was younger I would walk my neighbors dogs. The I expanded into dog sitting. I had files on all the dogs, their birthdays, what treats they liked-I even baked my own treats for a while. I just had to be around them. As I got older I worked in a boarding facility and local shelters boarded their rescue dogs. From there I started working with rescue dogs. My family had always rescued dogs and I grew up with them as pets. But it was a challenge. Most of our dogs needed a lot of training (ordinary and behavioral) because of behavioral problems. Years later I decided to get involved in dog sports and I then realized the difference between a rescue dog and well bred dog. It amazes me that a lot of people don’t know the difference.
I started Lakehouse Labrador Retrievers soon after and it was the best decision for me. I get to help create amazing dogs and educate the public. Most of our dogs are perfect house pets. They are very versatile—they can hunt all day, do dog sports, be companions and, best of all, many of our dogs are doing service work. They are just the best all around breed!
As I got into this line of work I realized there was so much information about breeding, training, and dealing with behavior—more than I could even imagine. I then started taking classes in each of these areas. It is my goal to be the best I can be and be an accurate resource for all my clients. I have certificates in Breeding, Breeding and Genetics, and Training. I want the best start for my puppies so they are raised in the home with as much exposure to different situations, people, etc as I can possibly give them. I definitely follow best practices and stay current in the field.