The Flatlander Kennels Podcast with Chris Jobman

In this powerhouse episode of The Flatlander Kennels Podcast , Chris Jobman is joined by an all-star panel of elite retriever trainers to talk all things Spring Grand. You’ll hear from: Chris Akin of Webfooted Kennels (Jonesboro, AR) Rhett Riddle of Bay Creek Kennels (Hartsville, SC) Eric Teson of Habitat Flats Kennels (MO) Together, this group holds over 400 Grand passes and decades of experience...

What separates a good dog handler from a great one? In this episode, Chris Jobman and Elliott Snider sit down with Rhett Riddle and Dave Marsteller to break down what it really takes to grow as a handler. From timing whistles to reading lead changes, developing routines to staying calm under pressure — this conversation is packed with insight for both amateurs and pros looking to get better at the...

In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Chris Jobman and Elliott sit down with longtime friend and retired Air Force veteran John Michael Rohl (aka “Jim”) to relive the wild ride that turned an $800 newspaper puppy into a decorated champion retriever. From their first meeting through a message board in 2008, to Deke becoming a four-time Grand Hunting Retriever Champion and SRS finalist,...

In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Chris Jobman and Elliott continue the flow chart series with a deep dive into water pattern blinds —how they differ from land pattern blinds, the concepts to teach first, when to use the e-collar, and how to build a thinking, confident dog in the water. Then they shift gears into a Q&A session, tackling listener-submitted questions about simul...

In Episode #45 of the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Chris Jobman breaks down the next step in his retriever training flowchart—Land Pattern Blinds. Chris shares his detailed approach to building handling skills, maintaining momentum, and developing a confident, team-oriented retriever. He explains why pattern blinds are essential, how to avoid common training mistakes, and why handling is more impor...

In this episode, Elliott and Chris Jobman are joined by professional retriever trainer Rhett Riddle of Bay Creek Kennels for a deep-dive Q&A session. They tackle listener-submitted questions on post-hunting season training, handling drills, avoiding injuries, and getting dogs back in top shape for hunt tests. If you’re looking for expert insights and practical training tips, this episode is a...

In this episode, we sit down with Rhett Riddle of Bay Creek Kennels to talk about his incredible journey training retrievers and his historic achievement—becoming the first known handler to have his dog, Crown, retrieve every recognized species of waterfowl in North America. From his early days training bomb dogs to his deep dive into retriever training, Rhett shares the experiences, challenges, a...

Summary In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels podcast, Chris Jobman discusses the intricacies of pattern blind casting for retrievers. He explains the three-legged pattern drill, advanced techniques, and the importance of teamwork and handling skills. The conversation also covers how to address cast refusals, the structure of training sessions, and the balance between challenging the dog and m...

In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels podcast, Chris Jobman discusses the transition from the Grand event to hunting season, sharing insights on daily routines, hunting experiences, and the training of dogs. He reflects on the recent Grand event, highlighting the pass rates and notable achievements of various dogs, including the challenges faced during training, particularly with sticking issu...

In this episode of the Flatliner Kennels podcast, Chris Jobman and Elliott discuss various dog training techniques, focusing on the flow chart method. They delve into the D-cheat technique, the importance of communication in training, and introduce two key drills: the Wagon Wheel and Spin Drill. The conversation emphasizes the significance of building a strong handler-dog relationship and the need...

In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels podcast, hosts Elliott and Chris catch up after a break, discussing their recent hunting experiences, particularly focusing on the Master National and the upcoming Grand. They share insights on the challenges faced during the Master National, the preparation for the Grand, and the excitement of the hunting season ahead. The conversation also includes a Q&a...

Summary In this Q&A session, Chris Jobman answers various questions related to dog training. Topics discussed include correcting popping on water blinds, incorporating a flyer in AKC training, altering training for big events, handling popping on water blinds, training a dog to push through the scent of a duck, and swapping hands with the gun during training and tests.

Summary In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels podcast, Chris Jobman discusses the D Cheat drill, which is a method for teaching dogs to stay in the water and not run the bank when retrieving. The drill involves throwing a bumper into a pond and gradually moving it closer to the bank, while using low-level stimulation to correct the dog if it tries to cheat. Chris emphasizes the importance of n...

In this episode, Chris Jobman critiques Georgie's performance in the hunt test season and provides feedback on areas for improvement. He emphasizes the need for better control and obedience, as well as establishing a clear hierarchy between Chris and Georgie. Chris suggests implementing stricter rules and boundaries in everyday interactions, such as making Georgie wait for commands before exit...

In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels podcast, hosts Elliott and Chris Jobman are joined by pro trainers Eric Teson and Dave Marsteller for a roundtable discussion on dog training and the Master National event. The group dives into the intricacies of preparing dogs for high-stakes competitions, debating training techniques, and discussing the impact of different testing standards. They share p...

In this conversation, Chris Jobman and Elliott discuss upcoming hunt tests and the qualifications needed for the Master National. They also address training challenges, such as the left angle back and finding bumpers at a distance. They answer questions about the necessity of the double T drill and when to move on from the T pattern. They also touch on dog injuries and recovery methods. In this co...

In this conversation, Chris Jobman discusses the process of teaching a dog to stop and sit in the water using a whistle. He explains the steps involved in water forcing and how to train the dog to tread water. He also covers the concept of swim by, which involves teaching the dog to swim back and forth across a pond. Chris emphasizes the importance of building a solid foundation and following a st...

In this episode, Chris Jobman and Elliott answer various dog training questions. They emphasize the importance of providing detailed information when asking for advice. They also discuss the idea of opening up their Q&A sessions to live audience participation. The main training topics covered include improving a dog's casting with angles in water, addressing ping-ponging behavior on blinds...

In this conversation, Chris Jobman and Elliott discuss their recent experiences with dog training and hunting. They talk about Chris's busy schedule at his kennel, including upcoming tests and qualifications for the Master National. They also discuss the beauty of the Sandhills and their hunting experiences there. Elliott shares his experiences at the HRC event and his training challenges with...

In this episode, Chris Jobman and Dave Marsteller answer questions from the Facebook group about dog training and judging in HRC and AKC tests. They discuss topics such as how judges determine the difficulty of a test based on the participants, what factors they consider when deciding whether a dog passes or fails, and how they set up tests differently based on the time of year. They also compare...

In this episode, Chris Jobman brings on his friend Dave Marsteller, a judge of HRC and AKC hunt tests. They discuss various topics related to judging, including different types of tests, the challenges of judging, and the importance of understanding the dog's perspective. They also share stories from their training sessions and highlight the importance of effective communication and correction...

In this episode, Chris Jobman brings on his friend Dave Marsteller, a judge of HRC and AKC hunt tests. They discuss various topics related to judging, including different types of tests, the challenges of judging, and the importance of understanding the dog's perspective. They also share stories from their training sessions and highlight the importance of effective communication and correction...

Summary In this episode, Chris Jobman answers questions about handling on blinds and factors to consider when giving verbal or silent casts. He emphasizes the importance of using voice commands for changing direction and silent casts for maintaining momentum. Chris also discusses the use of verbal and nonverbal communication cues from the holding blind to the blind, lining up for marks, recognizin...

In this episode, Elliott and Chris discuss Elliott's first AKC event and the differences between AKC and HRC tests. They talk about the difficulty level of AKC tests and the variation in test difficulty depending on the judges and grounds. Elliott shares his experience in the event and the challenges he faced, including handling mistakes and cheating. Chris provides guidance on how to handle t...

In this episode, Chris Jobman answers various questions related to dog training. He provides advice on how to handle a dog that is struggling with marking, emphasizing the importance of simplifying training and building the dog's confidence. He also discusses techniques for improving a dog's focus during heel work, fine-tuning lining up for blind retrieves, and balancing training for test...