About PepperJack Kennels

PepperJack Kennels provides professional Retriever training and handling for both field trials and gun dogs.

PepperJack Kennels provides exceptional water and land training year round with our main facility in Wisconsin, and spending months in California and Texas during the winter months at dedicated training facilities.

Our programs focus on all aspects of retriever training from our puppy head start program, basic obedience to gun dog training. Field Trial Training is our most advanced training and program.

We specialize in retriever training by keeping a small amount of dogs in our programs at one time. This allows us to focus on the individual needs of each dog and keep them in our family environment.

Field Trial
Program

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Gun Dog
Program

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Breeding
Program

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The PepperJack Kennel team is led by Misty Melo

Misty has over 30 years of dog training experience. Starting at a young age, Misty discovered her passion for retrievers and began training & running dogs as an amateur in 1990. Through the years, she moved into AKC Field Trials and competed in several trials as an amateur from 2008-2013. After 22 years in the fire service, Misty retired in 2013 and moved to Texas to pursue her passion of training full-time. She became a professional dog trainer in 2014. 

Quality and commitment is incredibly important to a successful training program. We specialize in retriever training by keeping a small amount of dogs in our programs at one time. This allows us to focus on the individual needs of each dog and keep them in our family environment. 

Meet Our Team

PepperJack Kennels is Proudly Sponsored By

What Our Clients Say...

Pat Burns

When I met Misty from PepperJack Kennels I was immediately impressed by her relationship with her dogs.   Misty and Marty don’t cut any corners when it comes to the training and care for their dogs.  The young dogs that I watched were very well prepared and they trained with an upbeat attitude.  PepperJack Kennels has dramatically improved their training grounds in recent years.  Misty is hungry to continue to evolve and it shows in the quality of all-age and young dogs that are coming out of the PepperJack program.

Pat Burns

Elite Retriever Training

Kim Hansen

I have had dogs with PepperJack for 2 years and I can say my dogs have been very well taken care of and got lots of work. Misty is one of the hardest working trainers I know and she respects and cares about the dogs. They have amazing grounds and a great team. It’s been a pleasure working with them.

Kim Hansen

Oakdale, California

Dr. J. R. Unbehaun

I have had Pepper Jack Kennels training a young Labrador for me. The dog had success in the Derby and ran The National Derby Championship. I subsequently ran him in a Qualifying with a win. PJK has wonderful grounds to train on in Wisconsin. Currently my dog is in training to transition to All-Age stakes. The care PJK gives their retrievers is outstanding. I highly recommend them.

Dr. J. R. Unbehaun

West Salem, Wisconsin

Jeremy Gibbons

I have always attributed Willow’s early training foundation from PJK to have contributed greatly to her confidence and how well she has done in further training, hunt tests and of course as my waterfowl hunting partner.  She is spoken of highly within my group of hunting partners.  I am excited to have her daughter Gemma with Misty and Team PepperJack now and the care, attention and training is second to none just as I remember with Willow.

Jeremy Gibbons

Chico, California

Chris Crouch

If you are looking for world-class retriever training, look no further. Whether chasing a national championship in an AKC field trial stake, or wanting a rock-solid hunting companion and good citizen by your side; PJK produces results. It all starts with the genuine care for the dogs and clients themselves. From there a proven program and tireless effort from a dedicated team of people will help get you and your retriever wherever you want to go.

Chris Crouch

Dallas, Texas

Jessica Rockwell

I have had the pleasure of working for Pepperjack Kennels and am now a client. During my time working at PJK, I was absolutely baffled at the upmost attention to detail that Misty and Marty put into their entire program. Misty’s fairness, level head, sportsmanship and respect for all dogs she works with is truly inspirational. Marty always goes above and beyond to answer any questions that I have. As a previous employee, I saw first hand the cleanliness of the dogs living and travel spaces as well as the type of care you can expect your dog to have while with PJK. As a very particular dog owner, I feel good about knowing that my dogs are being cared for and loved just as they would when they are home. PepperJack Kennels is the only kennel I would consider for my competitive retriever training needs.

Jessica Rockwell

Whitehall, Wisconsin

Kerry Lavin

I have been with PJK since its infancy. All aspects of the program are top-notch - from the ultimate care and feeding of the dogs, to the first class grounds, to the thoughtful and thorough training that meets the needs of each individual dog.  Whether you're developing your next hunting companion, or field trial champion, Misty and the crew at PJK will work tirelessly to help you and your dog reach that goal.

Kerry Lavin

Anderson, California

Tyler Yarbrough

Misty, Marty, and the rest of the PJK family sets the standards for Retriever Training. From grounds and facilities, to the compassion they have for your dogs, you will not find a better team. I'm proud to be a part of such awesome camp!

Tyler Yarbrough 

Highland Village, Texas

Ben Williams

I have relied on PJK for both training and breeding for many years. An incredibly talented trainer, Misty Melo will custom train my gun dogs for my style of hunting. Misty’s success in field trials speaks for itself. Honest and reliable. You can’t go wrong with this remarkable company.

Ben Williams
FishDog Outdoors 

Willows, California

Kate Macartney

PepperJack Kennels has trained my Labrador retrievers for at least the past ten years. When I send a well bred lab to them, I know I will get back a fully trained, obedient, house broken retriever who can perform in the field. And there is no one who takes better care of dogs!! Plus PJK is honest and trustworthy with your future lifetime hunting companion.

Kate Macartney

Minden, Nevada

Tim Wallinger

I have yet to see another trainer that puts the time and care into every dog on in their program, top notch property’s and top notch employees, there is nothing better than knowing your new hunting partner is in great hands

Tim Wallinger

Elgranada, California

Darin Quigley

Misty trained my dog Trucker. Couldn’t be happier with the results. Highly recommend her. She takes really good care of the dogs while under her care.

Darin Quigley

Weed, California

Chris Halverson

PepperJack Kennels is as good as it gets. The staff is outstanding and their facility is second to none. Misty will give you and your dog the best opportunity to be successful.

Chris Halverson

Hager City, Wisconsin

Mike Sorsky

I was in need of a new duck hunting dog, and a good friend of mine recommended Pepper Jack Kennels, which is owned and run by Misty & Marty Melo. I had Misty train one of her female pups for me, that I named Moxie. I've never owned a better dog in my entire life. She also trained my son's dog, named Kisa. Like Moxy, Kisa is a pure pleasure to hunt over.  Misty is without a doubt the finest trainer I've ever known and dealt with. If you are looking for a top quality hunting and family dog, I would highly recommend you give Pepper Jack Kennels a call. You will not be disappointed.

Mike Sorsky

Fresno, California

Woodville,
Wisconsin

Our Property

PepperJack Kennels utilizes several properties specifically designed as dog training facilities. Our main facility is located in Wisconsin and we also spend time in TX & CA during the winter months at dedicated training facilities. All properties provide ideal training weather, land features, and distinctive water attributes.

LEARN MORE >>

Our Properties

PepperJack Kennels utilizes several properties specifically designed as dog training facilities. Our main facility is located in Wisconsin and we also spend time in TX & CA during the winter months at dedicated training facilities. All properties provide ideal training weather, land features, and distinctive water attributes.

LEARN MORE >>

Woodville,
Wisconsin