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 54: Building Better Marking Dogs with Marc Patton (Part 2)
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In Part 2 of Chris’s conversation with trainer Marc Patton, the discussion dives deeper into the mechanics behind developing elite marking dogs and building cleaner fundamentals in retrievers.
Marc breaks down how he approaches Derby dogs, why he believes in simplifying marking setups, and how repetition with single guns can create the mental pictures young dogs rely on later in competition. The conversation also explores how dogs process marking concepts like angle backs, water entries, and gun memory.
Chris and Marc also spend time unpacking Force to Pile, including a unique training tool Marc uses—a training chute system that creates clearer, more black-and-white decisions for dogs during early blind work.
Other topics include:
- Why many marking problems are actually training picture problems
- The role of bumper size and object selection in hold conditioning
- Preventing “shopping” in a pile
- How environmental pressure affects casting and compliance
- Why simplifying drills often produces better long-term results
If you're working through Derby training, force to pile, or early blind work, this episode offers practical ideas that both amateur and professional trainers can apply immediately.