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.
Episodes
38 episodes
Bonus Episode (38) Blood, Sweat & Puppies: Chris Recaps Winter’s Whelping
In this special bonus episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud opens up about the whirlwind experience of Winter’s third breeding. From stressful late-night vet visits and unexpected complications to the relief of a healthy litter, this...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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42:30
EP 37: Ron Anderson: 30 Years in the Retriever Game
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with amateur retriever legend Ron Anderson. With 30 years in the game, Ron shares his journey from a farm in Louisiana to training multi-crowned champions like Smoke and Rip. They t...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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57:32
EP 36: Building Great Dogs One Decision at a Time with Bill Hillman
In Part 2 of our conversation with legendary trainer Bill Hillman, we dive deeper into the philosophy and technical wisdom behind creating confident, decision-making retrievers. Bill discusses his approach to handling on marks—especially...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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51:23
EP 35: Bill Hillman: From $6 Shelter Dog to Retriever Icon - Part 1
In this special two-part series, host Chris Rud sits down with the legendary Bill Hillman, one of the most influential figures in the retriever training world. In Part 1, Bill opens up about his unlikely beginnings—from sneaking a $6 dog...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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57:03
EP 34: ESPN Dreams to SRS Reality: Jason Pflasterer’s Story
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, host Chris Rud welcomes Jason Pflasterer, a passionate handler from Nebraska whose journey took him from hunting the Platte River to competing on the biggest stages in the retriever world. Jason sh...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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1:11:40
EP 33: Andrew Quintana and The Dog Trailer That Launched a Manhunt
What happens when a retriever trainer’s meticulously customized dog trailer is stolen in the middle of the night? You get one of the wildest episodes yet. In this installment of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud sits down with Andrew Quinta...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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1:13:55
EP 32: King of the Fluffies AKA Tyler Brenner
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with pro trainer Tyler Brenner for an unfiltered and entertaining conversation covering everything from golden retrievers in the Grand to the surprising history of Labradors as ship...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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1:12:25
EP 31: HOF Jett & Zac’s Aleutian Adventure
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with Zac Patrick to talk about two unforgettable journeys—one built in the training field, the other across the icy waters of Alaska. Zac shares the story behind his Hall o...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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1:07:23
EP 30: Clark’s Grand Recap and discussing the "IT" factor
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with the one and only Clark Kennington for a deep dive into the Spring Grand, what separates good dogs from great ones, and how to define the elusive "it" factor
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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52:23
EP 29: Doing It All: Jeff Brezee’s Journey Through Every Retriever Game
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, host Chris Rudd sits down with Minnesota’s own Jeff Brezee—a true student of the retriever game who’s done it all. From growing up as a bird boy in field trials to earning SRS podium finishes, bree...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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1:01:51
EP 28: Two Trainers Walk into a Podcast: The Jake & Bill Show
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, host Chris Rudd sits down with Jake Stinson and Bill Schaefer for a wide-ranging, honest, and often hilarious conversation about life in the retriever world. From Bill’s unlikely journey w...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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1:03:15
EP 27: Winter Goes QA2 + 5 Tips for Running Quals
In this special solo episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, I share the story of how Winter earned her QA2 title at our latest Qual. From the long training days and unexpected setbacks to a standout water series that she smoked. I walk you thro...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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55:48
EP 26: The Art and Science of Marking with Dan Ihrke
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, we dive deep into the critical skill of marking with seasoned pro trainer Dan Ihrke. Dan unpacks what makes a great marking dog, from visual focus and memory to factors like terrain, timing, and tr...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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1:08:29
EP 25: Dan Ihrke and a force fetch dissertation
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud sits down with his mentor Dan Ihrke for an in-depth conversation about one of the most critical — and misunderstood — parts of retriever training: force fetch. They break down every step ...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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1:05:35
EP 24: Dog "Jockey" Leah Spivey
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud sits down with rising retriever star Leah Spivey to dive deep into her incredible journey through the hunt test and SRS world. From her early days hunting with family to working al...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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51:55
Ep 23: Judges Seminar & Group Training: Walkies and Walk-Ups
In this episode of The Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, host Chris Rud welcomes members of his training group — Bill Chittenden, Josh Munson, and a late drop-in from Tyler Brenner — to reflect on their recent HRC Judges Seminar experience and s...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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1:12:57
EP 22: Lenny Gums: Rescuing Dogs, One Flight at a Time
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, we sit down with Lenny Gums, an HRC judge, amateur retriever trainer, and the man behind one of the most unique missions in the dog world—finding and rescuing lost dogs using dro...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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1:00:54
Ep 21: The Road to Victory: John’s Amateur Crown Championship Journey
In this episode of The Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, we sit down with John, the winner of the prestigious Amateur Crown Championship. John takes us through his incredible journey to the top, sharing the challenges, strategies, and key moment...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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45:31
Ep 20: Kicking Off Season 2 with Clark Kennington
The Hunt Test Hobo Podcast is back! In this Season 2 premiere, host Chris Rud sits down with retriever training powerhouse Clark Kennington to talk about the highs and lows of last season, the evolution of retriever training, and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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1:20:28
Ep 19: Mastering Drills with 5-Time Crown Champion Mike Gibson
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo podcast, I sit down with five-time Crown Champion Mike Gibson to discuss his favorite drills for preparing retrievers for competition. Mike shares invaluable insights into how he uses creative dril...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:13:38
Ep 18: From Decoys to Dogs: A Chat with Jeff Coats of Pitboss Waterfowl
Jeff Coats, waterfowl guide and decoy carver, joins the show to share his experiences in the field. Learn how he balances hunting, retriever training, and his craft, as well as tips for the upcoming season.
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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1:13:06
EP 17: Quals, peaking for national events and force fetch with Bob Owens
In this episode, Chris Rud welcomes Bob Owens from the popular Lone Duck Gun Dog Chronicles podcast. They dive into Bob’s journey from starting his podcast to becoming a professional retriever trainer, sharing tips on transitioning dog...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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48:32
EP 16: 10 Tips to have more success at the Grand with Jeremy Legge
In this episode, host Chris Rud is joined by retriever trainer Jeremy Legge of Hickory Hills Retrievers for an in-depth discussion on preparing for the Grand. Despite both Chris and Jeremy not running this year's Grand, they break down the esse...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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50:46
EP 15: Retriever Talk: Master National vs. Master Amateur with Mike Herd
In this episode, host Chris Rud sits down with Mike Herd, the marketing and PR specialist for the AKC Master Amateur Retriever Club, as they dive deep into the world of retriever competitions. Mike shares stories from his career as a broadcast ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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51:29
EP 14: Amateur Jim Templeton - Patience is Key: Slow and Steady Wins in Dog Training
In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, host Chris Rud welcomes Jim Templeton, an Arkansas-based amateur retriever trainer. The conversation kicks off with Chris sharing his recent life changes, including a job transition and a ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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1:04:38