As an outdoors writer with 57 years of writing for newspapers, magazines...16 books..., I don't understand all the cheap trash talk about Ray. During my newspaper days, I coveredover100 bird dog and retrieve trials. I never met a more knowledgeable trainer than Ray. He is currently working with my 8 month old Cavapoo..."King Charles Cavalier Spaniel,English mix. Eleven pounds of dynamite. His name is Mr. Jingles. He alone is a story. Mr. Jingles and Ray clicked as did I. Great things are on the horizon under Rays guidance. Don't believe me? Invite me on a dove shoot or take a seat in your duck blind this season and Mr. Jingles will put on a show because of Ray Godwin--Jon Wongrey, Sumter,South Carolina. read more

Some how this was taken down so I wanted to repost. Hopefully this review will shed some light on Webfoot retrieves and this trainer Ray. I worked with Ray on and off for almost two years. It started off well, (my money was green) but the more time went on the more toxic it became. I want to share my last interactions for you. This spring (2020) with junior hunter trials coming up, I asked Ray if my dog was ready. "Leave him with me for a few weeks and I'll have him ready". So Ray's fee, $600 later, $187 entry fee for Junior Hunter trial, and Paying Ray $300 to come with me I received a text the Night before the trail telling me my dog was not ready.... At this point I told him I was going to pick up my dog and go anyway. To this Ray informed me I should probably come get my dog that night because he was having troubles with diabetes almost slipping in and out of comas... I drove up at 10pm and picked up my dog, who smelled terrible by the way. Once I got him home I gave him a bath to find out he had a huge HOT spot on his foot that looked terrible. Ran him over to the emergency vet to be treated... My dog was so "off" and terrified... So in my mind Ray had health issues and instead of telling me this he let my dog rot in a crate doing damage to himself. This caused issues between me and my family. I felt guilty and flat out bad for my dog. I called Ray to express my feelings. He asked me to come up and talk. Against my better judgment I went. After our "talk" he took no responsibility and blamed it on his health. Again, against my better judgment we went back for training. I felt empathic for his situation. However I told him my dog would never stay at his kennel again. We trained a few more sessions but it was an awkward relationship to say the least. Finally we had a disagreement after a training which was a long time coming. After a few days I reached out to see if we could work things out. He ignored my calls, texts, and emails for 2 months now. He finally responded today with the following message: "I was hoping that you would catch on that I did not want to work with you anymore. But if I have to spell it out I will. This is not up for debate. Last year you trashed me to your family and friends but you still want to train with me. That took away about 90% of my desire to work with you. This year your harping about things that happened a year ago and you don't want to follow my training instructions. That ended the other 10%. Also you keep taking a dog hunting that is not ready and making things worse. I wish you good will but I have no desire to train with you again. " The fact that he does business this way is appalling. Instead of being a man and saying what's going on like he preaches on other reviews on here.. He did this, he make this situation... SMART... Let's break this down. Why would I bad mouth him and continue to work with him?!? I think he's confused. But better off this way. I ended up taking my dog to some hunter trials and dock dog events recently. When I brought up Rays name I heard so many colorful stories about him: "He's a hands on old school trainer" - I've witnessed this first hand and wasn't sure what to do. "My friend sent a puppy to Ray for training, puppy was killed by another dog" -Total Shock "Ray got busted breeding a clients dog without their knowledge" -Wow This is the tip of the iceberg. He has a terrible reputation. Go to an event and drop his name and you'll see. There are others that have had similar experiences. Ray's personality is dog sh*t. Ray once had me call Multiple places for ducks because "They won't sell me any" I wonder why... I feel for my dog and I hope this is a warning to you and will save you from the heartache I went through. I think you can find a trainer that takes much more responsibility, understanding and is overall a better person. read more

Similar to another review, everything started off well with Ray. He seemed like he knew what he was talking about and I had a good feeling about leaving my dog with him for training. As the months went on, he would add to the length of time that she needed to be there saying "she wasn't ready" after previously saying she was almost ready several times. After 8 months, I ended up taking my dog home because he told me she still needed 6 months and he still hadn't shot a gun around her after 8 months of duck training???? When I brought her home, she was incredibly underweight and skittish. She also had a hot spot on her back that he claimed was from her sitting on the pavement. Every time someone (especially men) lifts a hand, she crouches down and runs the other direction in fear of being hit. This was never an issue before she went to training. I am very disappointed in my experience and I wish I had read other reviews and looked further into other training places before sending my dog here. read more

I personally had a terrible experience with Ray 775$ a month with my trained dog who only needed help with excessively playing with birds . My dog was turned into a house pet not trained and not properly fed. Ask around you will hear some sketchy stories. He has a terrible demeanor, not good with people or responding to calls. Andrew S. review is basically like what I experienced. read more

I hate to burst the bubble of Ray and Webfoot Retrievers. I wrote a check for a deposit totaling $800 at the Southeast Wild Life Exhibit February 2017 and for a Black male English Lab. We were put on the list. After many discouraging responses to email inquiries regarding our dog, such as false pregnancy, etc. Ray stated that he would return my $800 deposit. After close to two years of waiting, I finally asked Ray for our deposit. We have waited since then, giving him the benefit of the doubt. It is now almost three years and Ray has not returned our $800 deposit. I am surprised and disappointed that Ray has stolen our deposit. He is allowed to exhibit at SEWE and hosts events. He will not returned our money. I consider this theft and criminal behavior. I would not do business with Ray and Webfoot Retrievers. Buyers beware. read more

I have been a practicing Veterinarian for over 36 years. For over 3 years it has been my pleasure to be the veterinarian for Webfoot Retrievers owned by Mr. Ray Godwin. I visit this kennel every 3-4 weeks. I have always found the kennels to be clean and well kept, and the dogs to be very happy and well fed. It is obvious that these dogs love their trainer Ray. Ray does an excellent job in maintaining all health procedures and concerns, as well as making certain that each dog gets his heartworm and flea prevention's. Animals that are sick are either brought to my hospital or seen on the farm on a short notice basis. I give Ray Godwin and Webfoot Retrievers my highest professional endorsement. Yours Truely, Mark O Shambley DVM, MS read more

My experience with Webfoot Retrievers has been exceptional over the past year. Ray began working with my 6-month-old female Labrador Retriever, Kona, a year ago for 4 1/2 months on both Pointing/Flushing and Retrieving. Upon her having her first heat, I had to delay training and have since enrolled her back to be completed including obtaining her AKC Hunt Tests. During Kona's first stay, I attended the weekend group sessions where I saw progress each and every time. It is an absolute joy to witness a working dog do her thing in the field. It is easy to see the bond he has obtained with her and others in my group. Ray has taught me (as well I am still learning) how to best communicate with Kona. As each dog is different, he clearly explains the differences, his approaches during training, and reasoning from the dogs perspective. As well, I have had the pleasure to attend various events over the last year with Ray including the European Tower Pheasant Hunts he has hosted and SEWE in Charleston where I met many of Ray's previous clients and completed dogs. Everyone I had met had only positive comments holding Ray in the highest regards and upmost respect. During the Pheasant Hunts, I was able to see first-hand his prior clients dogs in action that further cemented my decision of choosing Ray (Webfoot Retrievers) for Kona's training. A few weeks ago, I re-enrolled Kona again with Ray. As we were getting closer, Kona's anticipation of excitement grew as she knew where we were going. I met Ray at the training grounds that upon arriving looked completely different than just a few months ago including the additional several new ponds. Ray and I spoke for about an hour while Kona swam in the new ponds and ran in the field tiring herself out. He explained to me how and why he was transforming the landscape of the training grounds. I felt the grounds prior were already good for training. However, once completed, the transformation will take his facility to a whole other level for both training and future Pheasant Hunts. I look forward to the continued progress and enjoying the transformed grounds once completed. His dedication, commitment, and professionalism are first class. If you are looking for a well-trained bird dog and/or companion, I highly recommend Webfoot Retrievers. read more

Ray at Webfoot Retrievers is the best . We carried a Gunner a 8 year old golden . Ray helped us develop him into a great pet and gun dog . Three years later Ray helped us with obedience training with a 110 lb Great Dane Blue . Now he has Lucy and Henry two English Setters . Ray is the perfect trainer for our family . read more

I have a 1 1/2 yr old springer spaniel that is a handful to say the least. I was given Rays name and was told he could help me. It has been a few months now that my dog has stayed at the boarding facility. Ray has worked with my dog on obedience training and I can happily say my dog now listening and is doing well. So far I had him home for one weekend trial period and he did great. I know as I continue to work with Ray I will be able to handle my dog in any situation. Ray is a very experienced professional trainer that is great to work with. read more

Ray Godwin, Webfoot Retrievers, is a professional, experienced dog training facility specializing in retrievers and bird dogs. Ray's understating and compassion to the sporting dog sets him apart from other training facilities. We have had the pleasure of having Ray breed and train two of our retrievers and would highly recommended him to the sporting dog enthusiast. Ray is hands on and works closely with the owners as well as his charges to ensure a thorough knowledge base to continue the learning experience. read more