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 69: Build a Confident Water Dog: A Transition Guide
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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 attitude
- Transitioning from land to water drills
- Force-to-pile in water
- Water T fundamentals
- Preventing cheating and loss of momentum
- Reading your dog's confidence
- Balancing pressure and success
- Common handler mistakes
- Trailer disasters, field trials, and learning the hard way
If you're serious about developing better retrievers, this episode is one you'll want to revisit.