Head Trainer/Owner
JOHN started training field trial dogs professionally in 1968 working with Rex Carr in Oakdale, CA. He has trained and handled several Field and Amateur Field Champions, as well as a National Amateur Field Champion. John and Debra opened Hightest Kennels in 1986. John supervises the training process and development of every dog. Each dog must meet John’s rigorous standards to advance in the gun dog program. John has a wealth of experience in troubleshooting and sorting out dog problems. John enjoys bird shooting, big game hunting, fishing and racing his Miata.

Business Manager/Owner
DEBRA started breeding and training Labrador Retrievers for field competition in Canada, in 1978. She has a three year degree in Animal Health Technology from St. Lawrence College in Ontario, Canada. Her professional background in animal husbandry and genetics is an asset in selecting the best breeding pairs and managing the whelping and rearing of every litter. Debra competed in AKC licenced Field Trials for several years and has handled many of the Hightest sires and dams in AKC Hunting Tests to achieve their Senior and Master Hunter titles. Debra’s passions are business, exercise and the outdoors. She is actively involved in her church and is founder of the Oroville Christian Business Alliance.

Kennel Manager / Gun DogTrainer
OLE joined Hightest is 2005 with several years of dog experience under his belt hunting hounds. He has a passion for waterfowl hunting and dogs. Ole heads up the gun dog training program at Hightest and manages the entire operation of the kennel and staff. He is a skilled coach both in teaching the owners how to handle their dogs and in developing the dogs unique hunting instincts. When he's not working dogs, Ole coaches his son Levi's junior bull riding team. Levi and the team have won awards nationally and compete in rodeo's year round all over the California.

Gun Dog Trainer
ANDREW joined the Hightest staff in 2007. He started out throwing birds for the hunting dogs and exercising the boarding dogs. He has enjoyed learning all the facets of dog training and is now one of our most innovative and accomplished gun dog trainers. He has a gentle nature and is very encouraging with the young dogs. With Andrew, training time is fun for the dogs so they advance quickly with their lessons. Andrew is a joy to work with and we are happy to have him as part of our training team. In his free time, he enjoys riding dirt bikes and fly fishing.

Obedience Trainer & Puppy Care
TI joined our staff in 2009. She comes from a ranching background and came to Hightest with plenty of experience caring for the horses and cattle on her parents ranch. Ty loves animals and is loving and caring with her canine students. Training and caring for dogs is her passion. She also works with the "Head Start" puppies. The Hightest puppies in the nursery receive plenty of TLC from Ty. Ty enjoys time with her family, daughter Leanndra, horseback riding and helping out at the ranch.

Training Assistant
Stein helps with training of the dogs, caring for puppies, cleaning and handling all the odd jobs. He is the son of head trainer Ole Johnson, Stein has been working at Hightest since he was a freshman in High School in 2008. His interests are hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors.

Front Office
Christy joined the staff in 2012 she comes with many years of experience managing an office. She is our receptionist and handles all customer inquiries. When you call or visit Hightest, Christy will be happy to assist you with all your doggie needs. Christy enjoys spending time with her daughter Karma, her dogs, and helping in the nursery at her church.

Lab Puppy Swimming Instructor
CRUISER has been teaching puppies to swim at Hightest since 1998. He is a Miniature Dachshund that doesn’t know that he is not a Labrador. At the mention of the word “bumper” he’s ready to head down to the pond with his young recruits. He’s just the right size for the puppies and has tremendous retrieving desire. The puppies love him and he loves them because he gets to go swimming with them. Cruiser’s favorite pastimes are chasing rabbits, begging for food at the table and making sure that no strange Labradors get too close to his fenced yard.

See Cruiser in action! CLICK HERE