Build From Here

What happens when the three things every duck dog owner worries about most all seem to go wrong? In this episode, Josh sits down with CGA member Brandon to talk through Luna’s training journey—from a surprise fireworks scare, to a bad pool experience, to chicken chaos in the backyard. At several points, Brandon wondered if he had ruined his future duck dog before she ever made it to the blind. But...

Training a retriever is full of challenges, but Adam Goza’s story is proof that one small win can change everything. In this episode, we talk Chessies, breakthrough moments, Member Weekend, and learning to build confidence one step at a time. Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence? Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog train...

In this episode, we talk about Mabel’s second full hunting season, her 173 retrieves, the lessons Kevin learned as a handler, the breakthrough moments on blinds, river retrieves, zombie geese, and why training with a community can change everything. This is a great episode for anyone who has ever wondered, “Is my dog going to turn out?” Because sometimes the dogs that struggle early become the one...

He almost gave up on his dog… Now they’ve crossed 1,000 retrieves together. This is the story of what can happen when you stick with it—even when it’s not going how you planned. Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence? Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more? Visit: Retriever Training Supply Intereste...

Terrance didn’t start with success. In fact, his first dog ended up gun shy—and he thought he might make the same mistakes again. But this time was different. In this episode of the Build From Here podcast, Terrance shares how he went from uncertainty and self-doubt to training a dog that’s already exceeding his expectations. From struggling through early training “dips” to experiencing the moment...

Jason didn’t grow up hunting. He didn’t grow up training dogs either. Like a lot of people, he started with YouTube, piecing things together and hoping it would work. At first, it felt like progress… until one moment in the field changed everything. After a bad experience with gunfire, Jason was convinced he had ruined his dog. In this episode, he shares how he worked through that setback, what he...

Matt didn’t set out to rebuild his life. He just wanted a dog. But somewhere between early morning training sessions, setbacks, and small wins… everything started to change. In this episode, Matt shares how training his golden retriever, Chief, became more than just a hobby—it became a turning point. From battling addiction and rebuilding relationships to finding purpose and stepping into a new li...

Training a retriever can feel overwhelming at times. You start with big hopes for your dog… but along the way, frustration, doubt, and mistakes are almost guaranteed. On this episode of the Build From Here Podcast , Josh sits down with CGA member Chris Copeland , whose journey with retrievers has been full of lessons, growth, and eventually — success. Chris shares how early trial-and-error trainin...

After years of old-school, collar-heavy training, Heath found himself rebuilding a dog after two ACL surgeries and starting over with a new puppy. In this episode, he shares what changed when he slowed down, trusted the process, and focused on building a dog that gets to work — not one that has to . From rehab setbacks to a 300-retrieve season with Oakley, this is a real conversation about patienc...

Fresh out of college. Newly married. First house… and finally time to get the golden retriever he’d always wanted. Zach didn’t start as a dog trainer — just a regular owner hoping he wouldn’t mess things up. Fast forward a few years, and that same dog is a calm family companion, reliable hunting partner, and finished hunt test competitor. In this episode, Zach shares the real journey — the early d...

Mike didn't want just a good hunting dog, he wanted a great hunting dog he could count on. Mike got a journey that would test his patience, challenge everything he thought he knew about training, and ultimately change the way he showed up as a father. In this episode, Mike shares the story of Chili — the Boykin Spaniel he once worried might never retrieve, the dog who became the best hunting...

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence? Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more? Visit: Retriever Training Supply Interested in sponsoring the BuildFromHere Podcast? Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand. Will my dog actually turn out? It’s a question mos...

Josh welcomes back Steve Strongman to recap a full Saskatchewan waterfowl season from the outfitter’s perspective. From managing dogs in the blind to building a new lodge and running an all-inclusive operation, this episode offers a real look at what it takes to hunt — and operate — at a high level in Canada. Want to book with Steve and get an all-inclusive hunting experience in Canada? Message hi...

What does it take to build a duck dog that other hunters respect? CGA member Shawn Dry joins Josh to share the real journey of training his own retriever—from first obedience reps to calm, steady work in the blind. They talk about “place,” early hunts done the right way, handling and casting, managing breaking around other dogs, and why consistency outside of training matters just as much as the s...

When Cody Lloyd brought home his first retriever, he did what most of us do — pieced together training from YouTube, books, and whatever he could find online. He ended up with a “good enough” gun dog… but not the steady, reliable partner he knew was possible. In this episode, Cody shares how he went from feeling stuck with a 2–3 year–old dog to building the once-in-a-lifetime hunting partner he’d...

From the very beginning of Cornerstone, Chad Duckworth has been part of the CGA family. In this episode, Chad shares one of the most powerful DIY retriever journeys we’ve ever featured—starting with his first dog, Moose, who was once labeled “not cut out” for gun-dog work after a rough pro-training experience. But instead of giving up, Chad rolled up his sleeves, trusted the process, and trained M...

Chad Batton’s story is one every handler can relate to: starting with doubt, feeling the pressure to “get it right,” and hoping to do justice to a well-bred dog. What began with a fear of failure quickly turned into a deep passion for training, community, and the entire retriever lifestyle. In this episode, Chad shares how Cornerstone Gundog Academy helped him build confidence, overcome defining m...

Josh sits down with longtime CGA member and founding supporter Marshall Anliker to talk hunting, dogs, and the power of community. Marshall shares how a blizzard goose hunt with his great-grandfather lit the fire for waterfowling, how that led him to British Labradors and Southern Oak Kennels, and why Cornerstone has been part of his last three dogs. From college days stacking classes around duck...

In this episode of the BuildFromHere Podcast, Josh talks with CGA Member Blake Allen. This episode covers Blake's journey from early failure to Grand title. Blake Allen explains how Cornerstone Gundog Academy helped him build a rock-solid foundation with Rose that enabled him to go on and turn his initial failure into success. In this episode you will learn practical, foundation-first tips fo...

In this episode of Build From Here , Joshua Parvin talks with CGA member Russ Freehling about a lifetime of waterfowling, finishing the 41-species North American quest, and the rewards of training his own retriever—from backyard drills to seasoning a pup on real hunts. Tune in for practical training tips, creative urban adaptations, and the joy of building a true hunting partnership. Want to learn...

#073 Every dog owner remembers the moment everything clicked, but few journeys are as transformative as watching a nervous college student evolve into a confident hunting partner alongside his retriever. Colin Berry takes us through five incredible years with Milo, from that fateful puppy pickup day when flip-flops and non-toe-biting behavior sealed the deal, to their recent epic Kansas waterfowl...

#72 What happens when the digital world of retriever training transforms into face-to-face connections? The answer lies in the groundbreaking Nashville Chapter event – the very first Cornerstone Gundog Academy chapter gathering that's changing how retriever owners train, learn, and build community. Kevin Wright returns to the podcast to share the remarkable success story of organizing and hos...

#071 What happens when perfectionism meets a headstrong Labrador? Blair Badham shares his transformative journey from frustrated dog owner to confident trainer through perseverance, community support, and a crucial mindset shift. Blair's story begins with his childhood love of the outdoors, fishing with his father and eventually discovering hunting. Despite having no family background in dog...

#070 Wade Skeen's path from Air Force serviceman to Kansas waterfowl guide extraordinaire reveals how passion, community, and proper training methods can transform both careers and gundogs. As a longtime Cornerstone Gundog Academy member before becoming a professional outfitter, Wade brings a uniquely valuable perspective that bridges the worlds of retriever training and professional hunting....

BFH #069 When Chris Rowland's wife gifted him a Cornerstone Gundog Academy membership for his birthday, neither of them realized it would spark a transformative journey into the world of science-based retriever training. In this captivating conversation, Chris shares how his background in psychology helped him appreciate the profound difference between dogs that work because they "get to...