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Andy Attar is back on the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, and this conversation goes deep. After more than 40 years in the retriever game, Andy shares how his approach to training and evaluating dogs has evolved. We talk about the seasonal rhythm of training for field trials, preparing dogs for Nationals, evaluating young dogs, and knowing when a dog simply needs more time versus when it may not have what it takes to become competitive. The conversation really gets interesting when we dive into pressure, confidence, and problem-solving. Andy explains why he believes trainers today need to understand the dog’s mind better than ever—and why simply putting more pressure on a dog isn't always the answer. We also discuss how dogs have changed, why some dogs seem more anxious or compulsive, the importance of allowing dogs to work through adversity, and what it really means to develop a dog into a team player. Another deep conversation with Andy Attar about the art, science, and evolution of training high-level retrievers.

In this episode, Marc Patton and Chris take a deep dive into water work, including swim-by, cheating singles, angles, reentries, corrections, and how to develop a dog that understands what you're asking rather than simply becoming a robot. Marc explains how he introduces cheating singles, why getting the dog into the water is often the real lesson, when to correct a cheat, and why he believes maintaining momentum is so important. We also talk about stress, over-handling, and knowing when you need to compromise based on the individual dog in front of you. There's a lot of practical water-training information in this one, but just as importantly, Marc shares his philosophy on developing confident, thinking dogs that want to work. If you're working on your dog's water skills, this is one you don't want to miss.

Crown Champion Luke Cour joins the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast to talk about his journey through the retriever world and the lessons he's learned from Rody Best and Danny Farmer. We talk about trusting the process, building confident dogs, knowing when to step in, and why sometimes you need to let a dog figure things out. Luke also shares his transition from hunt tests and SRS into field trials, how he structures his training, and why competition-style training can make better hunting dogs. A great conversation about training dogs, learning from others, and enjoying the process.

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud sits down with Tyler Brenner to talk about one of the most important parts of running the HRC Grand: how you actually prepare a dog for it. Instead of simply throwing harder and harder setups, Chris and Tyler break down the skills that can make the difference when things don't go according to plan. They talk about point-and-shoot training for marks your dog doesn't see, drag-back scent, gun swings, diversion birds, difficult blinds, handling strategy, and why confidence and communication become so important at the Grand. They also discuss how their training changes in the weeks leading up to the event, why they focus more on hunt-test scenarios, how to build a dog's confidence without taking away discipline, and the difference between training a dog to perform a picture and training a dog to deal with the gray areas that inevitably show up at the Grand.  And perhaps most importantly, they talk about preparing for the “what ifs.” Because at the Grand, your dog probably isn't going to see every bird—and your ability to stay calm, make a plan, and keep your dog moving can be just as important as the training you've done beforehand.

Water work can make—or break—a retriever. In this episode, Chris Rud sits down with Dan Ihrke to walk through the complete progression they use to develop confident, reliable water dogs before advancing to Seasoned and Finished level work. They discuss building water attitude, introducing force-to-pile in water, teaching water T, avoiding common mistakes that destroy confidence, and why timing, simplicity, and momentum matter far more than most trainers realize. Chris also shares the unbelievable story of losing a trailer wheel on the way to a field trial, turning an ordinary weekend into one he'll never forget. Whether you're training your first retriever or refining your program, this episode is packed with practical concepts you can immediately apply. Topics include: Building a dog's water attitudeTransitioning from land to water drillsForce-to-pile in waterWater T fundamentalsPreventing cheating and loss of momentumReading your dog's confidenceBalancing pressure and successCommon handler mistakesTrailer disasters, field trials, and learning the hard wayIf you're serious about developing better retrievers, this episode is one you'll want to revisit.

Most retriever handlers know what drills to run... but very few understand why they run them or when to introduce each one. In this episode, Chris Rud sits down with Dan Ihrke to break down the complete land progression they use before ever running a Hunt Test. From force fetch and the T to modified T, four-pole drill, buzzer blinds, cold blinds, and memory work, they explain how each drill builds on the previous one to create a confident, reliable handling dog. This isn't just a list of drills—it's the reasoning behind the progression. In this episode you'll learn: Why most handlers move to cold blinds too earlyHow the Modified T and Four Pole Drill develop better handlingThe purpose of buzzer blindsBuilding trust during cold blindsHow to teach dogs to handle multiple casts confidentlyWhy progression matters more than individual drillsWhether you're preparing for your first Hunt Test or simply trying to build a stronger retriever, this episode gives you a clear roadmap. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps more retriever trainers find the podcast.

Most people only see the ribbon. They don't see the decisions, mistakes, and lessons that happen on every bird. In this solo episode, Chris breaks down actual qualifier and finished hunt test setups from the past month—including Autumn's first Qualifier JAM, Winter's performances, and a couple of failures that turned into valuable training opportunities. Using real diagrams from each test, Chris explains how terrain, bird placement, wind, old falls, gun stations, and blind placement influence what dogs actually do in the field. He also shares the handler mistakes he made, why they happened, and exactly how he'll adjust his training moving forward. Whether you're preparing for Finished, Master, Qualifiers, or simply want to become better at reading marks, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how experienced handlers analyze tests after the weekend is over. Topics include: Autumn's first Qualifier JAMWhy bird placement matters more than distanceReading terrain and windCommon marking traps judges useHandling decisions that cost birdsTurning test failures into better trainingHow to evaluate your own dog after every weekend

National Champion Marcy Wright joins the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast alongside Kenny Trott to share decades of experience training retrievers from eight-week-old puppies all the way to the highest levels of competition. Marcy reflects on her National Championship journey with TAVI, while Kenny shares the training philosophy that has helped produce countless elite retrievers. In this episode we discuss: Why intelligence matters more than raw desireTeaching short retired gunsDeveloping great water blind dogsHow they train dogs from puppyhood through retirementWhy smart dogs often take longer to matureThe biggest mistakes trainers make with pressureMale vs. female retrieversMarcy's National Championship runThe drills they rely on every dayBuilding dogs that become true teammatesWhether you're running hunt tests, field trials, or simply trying to become a better trainer, this conversation is packed with lessons from two of the sport's most accomplished professionals.

Craig Koshyk has spent decades researching the history of sporting dogs, traveling the world to interview breeders, historians, and experts in search of one question: How did our dogs become who they are today? In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating story behind the Labrador Retriever—from the rugged shores of Newfoundland and the St. John's Water Dog to the breed that would become the most popular dog in the world. Craig explains why retrievers retrieve, how natural selection shaped the earliest working dogs, and why Labradors possess the unique combination of toughness, intelligence, cooperation, and heart that makes them so special. Along the way we explore the origins of the Golden Retriever, Flat-Coat, Curly-Coat, and other retriever breeds, discuss the evolution of hunting dogs, and even venture into the philosophy of why humans form such profound bonds with dogs in the first place. Whether you're a retriever trainer, hunter, breeder, or simply someone who loves dogs, this conversation will change the way you think about your best friend.

What makes a truly great dog trainer? In this episode, Chris sits down with legendary retriever trainer Andy Attar for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with Andy's journey alongside Pat Burns and Mike Lardy and evolves into a masterclass on dog training philosophy. Andy shares stories from the early days of retriever training, explains why Mike Lardy produced so many successful trainers, and discusses the importance of developing thinking dogs rather than simply teaching techniques. The conversation dives deep into one of the most challenging topics in retriever training: handling gray areas on marks, knowing when to intervene, and how to build a self-responsible dog. Along the way, Andy explores the role of pressure, trust, timing, marking development, field trials, and what it really means to become a student of the game. Whether you're running hunt tests, field trials, or simply trying to become a better trainer, this episode is packed with decades of wisdom from one of the sport's most respected minds.

This week on the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with Retriever Hall of Fame trainer Jim Van Engen for a masterclass in developing young dogs. With more than 50 years in the game and countless champions, national champions, and Hall of Fame dogs behind him, Jim shares the lessons he's learned from training over 1,500 retrievers and studying under some of the greatest minds in the sport. The conversation covers everything from puppy development and socialization to line manners, retired guns, identifying future superstars, and the biggest mistakes trainers make when working young dogs. Jim explains why "more training" isn't always better, how to know when a dog needs a break, and why success comes from simplifying rather than adding pressure. If you've ever wondered how elite trainers evaluate puppies, teach retired guns, build confident markers, or develop dogs that love the work, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately. Whether you're training for hunt tests, field trials, or simply trying to build a better retriever, this is an episode you'll want to listen to more than once.

This week, Chris is joined once again by Tyler Brenner for a laid-back but information-packed training discussion. The guys start with a handful of practical training tips, including simplifying problems, knowing when to quit on a success, using "fun bumpers" to build momentum, and creative ways to reinforce confidence during basics. The conversation then dives deep into one of the most overlooked skills in retriever training: bird placement. Chris and Tyler break down what makes a bird "well placed," how factors like wind, cover, topography, obstacles, and water influence a dog's decision-making, and why great setups teach dogs without constant handler intervention. Chris also walks through a challenging reverse-order double he recently used with Autumn and explains how he taught through the problem without creating confusion. The episode wraps up with a discussion on marking dogs versus line-running dogs, creating tougher hunts, bridge birds, and how experienced handlers learn to read subtle cues from their dogs during high-level competition. Whether you're running Started dogs or chasing national-level events, this episode is full of practical training concepts you can apply immediately.

This week Chris sits down with Tim Kingsfield from WISILL HRC to discuss what it takes to build a thriving retriever club, bring new people into hunt tests, and create a culture that keeps handlers engaged for years. Before the interview, Chris shares two practical training concepts that came up repeatedly while running a hunt test: holding blind manners and creating sharper whistle sits through reward. If you care about the future of retriever sports, this episode is for you.

This one is a full-on grand debrief with Tyler Brenner, Bill Schaffer, and Clark Kennington after surviving one of the toughest International Grands in recent memory. We break down the tests, the brutal cover, birds nobody could see, drag backs from hell, and the mental gymnastics dogs had to do just to survive. The guys dive deep into the Avery water, Garmin water, Hoss Straps land, and Winter Timber series while sharing what separated the successful dogs from the ones headed home early. Clark also announces his new venture, FowlCraft Kennels & Champion Gun Dogs, and the conversation eventually spirals into hotel parking lot stories, questionable chicken wings, and why Tyler may or may not live inside The Matrix. If you love high-level retriever talk, grand strategy, and the chaos that comes with running elite dogs at elite events, this episode is for you.

This week on the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down once again with legendary retriever trainer Bill Hillman for a deep conversation on balance in dog training, teaching multiples, building true marking dogs, and why amateurs often move too fast without realizing it. Chris opens up about a recent training mistake with a talented young dog — overemphasizing difficult concepts while skipping foundational multiples — and Bill breaks down why great marking dogs are built through clarity, consistency, and balance rather than just drilling hard concepts. The two also dive into: Why Bill dislikes the term “transition”The importance of flow vs rigid training systemsCreating a training checklistWhy repetition matters more than noveltyTeaching hip pockets and retired guns correctlyMultiples progression for hunt tests and field trialsWhy confidence comes from preparationThe difference between training concepts vs teaching dogs to truly markOne of the most practical and thoughtful conversations yet for amateur retriever trainers trying to level up their dogs without losing the fundamentals.