MEET THE OWNERS
With over 50 years and three generations of family ownership, training, and developing all pointing breed dogs from the field trial competitor to the hunting companion. Our staff is skilled at handling dogs of all levels including puppy development, obedience, basic gun dog training, field trial training, and more. We "Bring Out The Best in Your Dog" with our training development programs. At Monkeyshine Kennels we bring our knowledge of pet care into our new boarding, daycare, and grooming facility located in Big Rapids, MI. While your pet is in our care our staff will make the visit a fun, safe, and stress-free experience. Staff members are knowledgeable in K9 health and our facility is cleaned and disinfected daily.
"I am not a trainer that takes dogs that are not going to be worked and only will take the number of dogs I feel confident will get my utmost attention."
Dan DiMambro
Owner | Professional Dog Trainer
I have spent my entire life around bird dogs. My grandfather, Mario DiMambro, started the kennel 50 years ago. My grandfather & grandmother, Shirley, spent the last fifty years owning, breeding & training bird dogs for all of the various activities they & their customers were involved in. Many dogs now competing and winning in American Field, AKC, NSTRA, and HUNT TESTS carry the Monkeyshine name in their pedigree's.
My grandfather died in May of 2008. For a few years prior to his death, I was privileged to accompany him on several training and trialing adventures. We were trying to finish his last dog FC MONKEYSHINE'S M GO BLUE MAXIMUM, and we accomplished it! It was a great experience for me and I was grateful for the opportunity to spend the last few years of my grandfather's life watching and learning from a man so dedicated and passionate about bird dogs. He told me that he could not think of anything else that for him, could have taken the place of competing with high-class bird dogs.
I have been training dogs professionally since 2010. I started by training a few good hunting dogs. Now I am training and handling competition field trial dogs as well as training hunting dogs.
I want to thank you for taking the time to visit our website and boarding facility. I enjoy what I do and every day I am grateful to do what I love.
Contact me with any questions that you might have.
April Raber
Co-Owner | General Manager
Living on a farm I have been raised around animals my entire life. My love for horses and dogs is something that I've had since a little girl growing up in Ohio. Naturally, I gravitated to a career in pet care. As a professional trainer and scout taking care of clients' dogs and our own horses is part of the business. I have worked in kennels before I was a professional dog handler. Opening our Monkeyshine Kennel Boarding, Daycare, Grooming, and training facility was a long-time passion of mine. My happiest days are caring for the dogs that are visiting our kennel facility. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to care for and play with kennel dogs while the owners are vacationing or on business trips. Thank you for trusting me with your best friend.
Contact me to answer any questions that you might have.