Hunt Test Hobo Podcast

National Champion Marcy Wright joins the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast alongside Kenny Trott to share decades of experience training retrievers from eight-week-old puppies all the way to the highest levels of competition. Marcy reflects on her National Championship journey with TAVI , while Kenny shares the training philosophy that has helped produce countless elite retrievers. In this episode we discuss...

Craig Koshyk has spent decades researching the history of sporting dogs, traveling the world to interview breeders, historians, and experts in search of one question: How did our dogs become who they are today? In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating story behind the Labrador Retriever—from the rugged shores of Newfoundland and the St. John's Water Dog to the breed that would becom...

What makes a truly great dog trainer? In this episode, Chris sits down with legendary retriever trainer Andy Attar for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with Andy's journey alongside Pat Burns and Mike Lardy and evolves into a masterclass on dog training philosophy. Andy shares stories from the early days of retriever training, explains why Mike Lardy produced so many successful trainer...

This week on the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with Retriever Hall of Fame trainer Jim Van Engen for a masterclass in developing young dogs. With more than 50 years in the game and countless champions, national champions, and Hall of Fame dogs behind him, Jim shares the lessons he's learned from training over 1,500 retrievers and studying under some of the greatest minds in the spor...

This week, Chris is joined once again by Tyler Brenner for a laid-back but information-packed training discussion. The guys start with a handful of practical training tips, including simplifying problems, knowing when to quit on a success, using "fun bumpers" to build momentum, and creative ways to reinforce confidence during basics. The conversation then dives deep into one of the most...

This week Chris sits down with Tim Kingsfield from WISILL HRC to discuss what it takes to build a thriving retriever club, bring new people into hunt tests, and create a culture that keeps handlers engaged for years. Before the interview, Chris shares two practical training concepts that came up repeatedly while running a hunt test: holding blind manners and creating sharper whistle sits through r...

This one is a full-on grand debrief with Tyler Brenner, Bill Schaffer, and Clark Kennington after surviving one of the toughest International Grands in recent memory. We break down the tests, the brutal cover, birds nobody could see, drag backs from hell, and the mental gymnastics dogs had to do just to survive. The guys dive deep into the Avery water, Garmin water, Hoss Straps land, and Winter Ti...

This week on the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down once again with legendary retriever trainer Bill Hillman for a deep conversation on balance in dog training, teaching multiples, building true marking dogs, and why amateurs often move too fast without realizing it. Chris opens up about a recent training mistake with a talented young dog — overemphasizing difficult concepts while skipping fo...

This week on the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris is joined once again by Dan Ihrke for a deep dive into one of the most important — and misunderstood — concepts in retriever training: denial and steadiness. Before getting into the training talk, Chris shares the chaos and excitement around welcoming baby Madison into the world, the latest update on the Floyd x Winter puppies, and getting Autumn back...

Dale Swaderski joins the podcast to break down the world of pointing Labradors—and why they might not be what you think. From early controversy to modern versatility, Dale shares how pointing labs have evolved into high-level dual-purpose dogs that can compete in hunt tests, upland games, and even elite retriever events. We dig into the training philosophy behind building a dog that can switch bet...

This one’s a deep dive into the beginning of the retriever journey — before force fetch, before handling… before most people even think about training. Chris sits down with Grace Williams to talk about whelping, puppy development, and what actually creates a solid dog before it ever hits the training field. From “finger painters” to kennel habits, potty training systems, and puppy socialization, G...

JD Babb joins the podcast to break down one of the most interesting transitions in the retriever game—going from hunt tests to field trials. We dig into what it actually takes to make that jump, the mistakes that will humble you fast, and why JD had to completely rethink how he trains dogs. From letting young dogs develop over time to handling massive all-age blinds, this episode is packed with re...

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...

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. Alo...

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud and Tyler Brenner sit down for a classic truck-side style conversation about the realities of training dogs as an amateur. Chris shares the latest adventures of “hobo training”—getting kicked out of training grounds, battling Midwest wind storms, hauling wingers around with an e-bike, and squeezing meaningful work into short solo sessions. I...

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud sits down with pro trainer Clark Kennington during pre-Grand training in Paducah to talk about one of the biggest events in the retriever world—the Crown. Clark breaks down the tests, the strategy behind running blinds under pressure, and what it’s really like walking to the line when everything is on the line. They dive deep into how the Cr...

Season 3 kicks off with a deep dive into what it really takes to build a “Grand Slam” retriever. In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with multiple Grand Champion Ron Anderson and training partner Scott Arceneaux to unpack the journey behind one of the most accomplished amateur-trained dogs in the game. We talk about Rip — a true unicorn — and what it means to build a dog...

In this episode of The Hunt Test Hobo Podcast , Chris sits down with Landon—a trainer who’s breaking boundaries in the retriever world. Landon’s dog, Harker, isn’t your typical Labrador—he’s a German Wirehaired Pointer and the first of his breed to ever run and pass the HRC Grand . They talk about what it takes to train a versatile hunting dog for retriever tests, how to build teamwork with an ind...

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud sits down with Chris Jobman of The Flatlander Kennels Podcast for a deep dive into retriever training. The two discuss the value of crossover training between hunt tests and field trials, why following a structured program matters, and how to avoid confusing your dog with mixed methods. They break down practical drills like ABCDs, wagon whee...

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris is joined by Zac Patrick to recap an amateur pre-Grand training day in Ohio. With dogs and handlers facing setups tougher than a finished test, the group experienced firsthand the challenges of precision, reading dogs, handling suction, and demanding casts. Chris and Zac break down what they saw—from handlers letting dogs drift too far, to key l...

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with Justin Smith and Justin Jackson to introduce an exciting new game in the retriever world: Hunting Retriever Trials (HRT) . Born out of a desire to give handlers and owners a new challenge beyond traditional hunt tests, HRT offers structured classes, fair competition, and even cash payouts. The conversation dives into the “why” beh...

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast , Chris sits down with seasoned handler Mike Schwan to talk all things Grand. From early mistakes to eventually stacking up seven Grand passes, Mike shares the lessons, strategies, and mindset shifts that helped him succeed at the biggest stage in hunt testing. Chris and Mike dig into pre-Grand training, handling blinds under pressure, dog preparation,...

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with Dan Ihrke and Tyler Brenner at Gun Dog Success to talk about the start of hunting season and the lessons learned from recent hunt tests. From “rip and send” mistakes to the importance of line manners, they break down the small details that make a big difference at the line. The conversation dives into steadiness, when to let your...

In this powerful episode, Chris sits down with Glen Scarborough, President of the Hunting Retriever Club, to talk about his incredible journey in the retriever world. Glen shares how a near-fatal hunting accident changed his life, his path into HRC, and how the sport gave him purpose and community. From the growth of youth and women’s programs to keeping the HRC family-friendly and affordable, Gle...

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with Marty Roberts of Sporting Life Kennels to dive deep into what makes a truly great breeding program. From his first Labrador “Jim Bob” to building a respected kennel operation, Marty shares how he selects for drive, style, trainability, and that all-important off switch. They explore the nuances of genetics, and why Marty’s unique...