Rational Retriever Training

Single Marks and the AKC Junior Retriever Hunting Test

In this podcast we we focus on single marks and why they can be difficult for junior level dogs. We then end with a discussion of the AKC Junior Retriever Hunting Test.

Unconventional Retriever Drills

In this podcast we focus on  4 unconventional drills and an unconventional approach to a conventional drill. 
I try to explain why these are useful for teaching important hunt test concepts such as 1) teaching your dog lining to unknown destination with confidence, 2) literal casting to and from new unique locations, 3) the perfect spinal alignment on each sit, 4) the concept of changing direction after each whistle stop, and 5) improving in reading your dog's focus.

The Perfect Sit

In this podcast, we discuss the perfect sit from 3 perspectives: 1) Movement, 2) Position, 3) Silent Auto-Sitting

How to SLOW DOWN when handling your retriever

In this podcast, I offer 10 tips on how to slow down at a hunt test, in training, and hunting waterfowl.

retriever training tips

In this podcast we continue with 5 more retriever training fundamentals:
Your commands as background noise
Slow Down!
Your dog's focus
Your focus on your dog
Training with variety and balance

Rational Retriever Training: Five Fundamental Rules and Why

Rational Retriever Training: 5 Fundamental Rules and Why
Often in retriever training we are told to do this drill, run this setup, enforce this behavior, but typically we do not get an explanation WHY?.  
In this podcast series, I want to focus on the why in retriever training for hunting, field events such as HRC,NAHRA, AKC hunt tests and/or retriever field trials.