Hunt Test Hobo Podcast
Welcome to the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, your place for truck side chats and deep insights into the retriever game await.
Hosted by Chris Rud, a fellow retriever enthusiast and student of the game, this podcast is your go-to resource whether you're just dipping your toes into the retriever world or you're a seasoned handler looking to sharpen your skills.
Join us each week as we delve into the intricacies of retriever training, offering a blend of tips, tricks, and wisdom from both amateur enthusiasts and seasoned professionals. From tales of triumph to strategies for overcoming challenges, we explore it all, with a shared passion for forging unbreakable bonds with our loyal companions.
So grab your coffee, hop into the truck, and let's embark on this retriever adventure together. This is the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, and I'm Chris Rud. Let's dive in.
Hunt Test Hobo Podcast
EP 53: Marc Patton (Part 1) A Different Way to Think About Retriever Training
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In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with professional trainer Marc Patton of Green River Retrievers to dive deep into some innovative training concepts that are gaining attention in the retriever world.
Marc shares his unique journey into the dog world—including attending a “dog college,” working with sled dogs, and eventually building his retriever training program. Along the way, he developed a philosophy that blends traditional Rex Carr fundamentals with a highly reward-driven approach.
The conversation explores topics like:
- Creating dogs that love the work
- Using high-value rewards to build motivation
- Balancing pressure with praise
- The importance of timing, bird help, and clear answers
- How training setups should make success obvious for the dog
Marc also explains how sled dog conditioning and other working dog disciplines influenced how he thinks about drive, endurance, and training attitude.
If you're interested in building a dog that attacks the work with confidence and enthusiasm, this episode is packed with insights that will make you rethink how reward, pressure, and learning all fit together in retriever training.