#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 hunt that showcased the power of patience and proper foundation training.

We dive deep into the real challenges first-time retriever owners face - the overwhelming stress of potentially ruining a dog with excellent genetics, the comparison trap of social media training posts, and the crucial realization that steadiness trumps flashy retrieving skills every single time. Through candid storytelling, we explore how Milo taught invaluable lessons about patience that extended far beyond training sessions into every aspect of life.

The conversation reveals why true hunting dog excellence isn't measured by complex retrieves but by the ability to sit steady while hundreds of birds circle overhead. We discuss integrating working dogs into daily routines, the power of community connections through retriever training, and how shared hunting experiences create bonds that last a lifetime. Whether you're considering your first retriever or looking to deepen your understanding of the training journey, this episode offers honest insights and practical wisdom. Subscribe now and discover why the best hunting partnerships are built on trust, patience, and countless shared memories in the blind.

#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 hosting this inaugural chapter event. As a passionate CGA member who took the initiative to bring fellow retriever enthusiasts together, Kevin offers valuable insights into how the Nashville Chapter came together, what made their first gathering so special, and why this model represents the future of retriever training communities.

The Nashville experience demonstrates how the supportive online CGA community translates perfectly to in-person gatherings. Members who previously knew each other only through screens instantly connected on a deeper level when meeting face-to-face. Dogs and handlers alike benefited from the collaborative training environment where mistakes weren't just accepted but viewed as valuable learning opportunities. From basic obedience to water retrieves, every dog received plenty of work while handlers exchanged knowledge, encouragement, and friendship.

Beyond the training itself, what stands out most is the genuine community being formed. Several members brought their families, transforming retriever training into a wholesome activity everyone can enjoy together. After the formal training concluded, participants stayed for an additional hour and a half simply enjoying each other's company – proof that these chapters are about much more than dog training alone.

Looking to the future, Kevin shares exciting plans for monthly Nashville Chapter gatherings and even group hunting trips. He also reveals details about the upcoming CGA app that will further enhance chapter communications and community building. For those inspired to start their own local chapter, Kevin offers this encouragement: "Just get one other person. If it's just two of you, it doesn't have to be the biggest event, just start something... if you build it, they will come."

Whether you're already a CGA member wondering how to connect with local retriever enthusiasts or someone considering joining this supportive community, this episode offers an inspiring glimpse into how the retriever training journey becomes infinitely more rewarding when shared with others who understand and support your goals.

#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 training, Blair took on the challenge of training his British Black Lab, Gus, as both a family companion and hunting retriever. The early days were marked by frustration – Blair's perfectionist tendencies clashed with Gus's high-energy personality, creating a strained relationship rather than the bond he hoped for.

A chance encounter with a neighbor walking his well-trained retriever introduced Blair to Cornerstone Gundog Academy, providing the structured approach he desperately needed. "I needed a plan," Blair explains. "Give me the play, coach, and I'll go execute it." With this clear roadmap, training sessions became more productive and enjoyable for both Blair and Gus, though challenges remained – particularly with the critical fetch-hold-release sequence that left Gus confused and Blair discouraged.

The breakthrough came when Blair learned to prioritize "wins" over perfection. This simple yet profound shift – celebrating progress rather than fixating on flaws – transformed their training relationship. Equally important was finding community through training events where Blair could gain perspective on Gus's abilities and connect with others facing similar challenges. "Being surrounded by a community of people who highlight their imperfections in the process is very important," Blair shares. "You can tell somebody it's okay not to be perfect, but for somebody to sit next to you and tell you a story about how imperfect their dog was is a whole different dynamic."

Whether you're struggling with a specific training challenge, balancing dog training with family responsibilities, or simply looking for encouragement in your journey, Blair's story offers valuable insights about patience, community, and the joy of watching your retriever discover their purpose. As he prepares for Gus's first hunting season, his advice rings true for any dog owner: focus on the wins, chill out, and trust the process.

#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.

Growing up in Mississippi with a focus on whitetail and turkey hunting, Wade's move to Kansas in 2012 opened his eyes to an underappreciated waterfowl paradise. What began as occasional hunts with friends evolved into Skeen Outfitters, now one of the premier guided waterfowl experiences in the Midwest. Against all odds, Wade launched his business in March 2020 just as COVID hit, yet through determination and a foundation of strong relationships, particularly within the CGA community, his operation has flourished.

The conversation delves deep into Wade's transformation as a dog trainer, contrasting his experience with traditional methods versus the methodical approach of Cornerstone training. His position as both guide and trainer offers rare insights into what truly matters in hunting dogs: "Your dog's demeanor when not retrieving birds is actually much more important than how it retrieves birds." This perspective reinforces how proper foundation training creates adaptable, steady companions that enhance rather than detract from hunting experiences.

Wade and Josh recount several memorable hunts together, including an extraordinary day filming for television where everything aligned perfectly—dog work, hunting conditions, and camaraderie. These stories highlight the unpredictable nature of waterfowl hunting that keeps enthusiasts coming back season after season.

As the conversation closes, Wade shares his most valuable advice for dog trainers: "Throw expectations out the window. Enjoy the process itself—the wins, the losses. Just focus on each 15-minute training session, day in and day out, and your dog will far surpass what goals you ever had in mind anyway." It's a powerful reminder that in both dog training and life, the journey often matters more than the destination.

Connect with Wade at SkeenOutfitters.com or find him on social media to experience one of the best waterfowl hunts available—with the added bonus of bringing your Cornerstone-trained retriever along for the adventure.

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" versus those that work because they "have to."

Chris takes us through his evolution from casual hunter to devoted retriever trainer, detailing how he's successfully trained bench-bred show Labradors to perform at impressive levels in the hunting field and formal hunt tests. His main dog Weatherby stands just three master passes away from becoming only the 88th dog in history to achieve both AKC Champion and Master Hunter titles—a testament to the effectiveness of positive reinforcement training and the capabilities of show-line Labs.

The discussion delves into fascinating comparisons between traditional force-based methods and science-based training, exploring how rewarding dogs for desired behaviors creates retrievers that work enthusiastically rather than out of obligation. Chris offers invaluable insights for handlers navigating both the hunting field and competitive hunt tests, emphasizing that while the skills overlap, the priorities and handling approaches differ significantly.

For anyone training a retriever, Chris's parting wisdom resonates deeply: "Take your time, it's an ultra-marathon not a race." Through colorful anecdotes about his multiple dogs and newly-established Elmwood Labradors breeding program, he demonstrates that patience, consistency, and understanding canine psychology ultimately produces better results than rushing through training milestones.

BFH #068 What do retriever training and life's toughest challenges have in common? More than you might think. In this heartfelt conversation with CGA member Seth Vaughn, we explore how training a golden retriever named Rusty became not just about creating a hunting companion, but a journey of personal transformation and healing.

Seth takes us from his Southern Illinois upbringing surrounded by outdoor pursuits to his pivotal moment witnessing a trained retriever at work in Arkansas. That experience changed everything, setting him on a path that would eventually lead to Cornerstone Gundog Academy. Through candid stories of both struggle and triumph, Seth reveals how patience during fetch-hold-release training created the foundation for Rusty's later success, and how discovering his dog's response to verbal praise unlocked new levels of confidence and drive.

The conversation shifts from technical training insights to profound life lessons when Seth shares how dog training became his sanctuary during an exceptionally challenging 2023. Facing critical incidents as a police officer and his wife's serious car crash, Seth found clarity and restoration in those quiet moments working with Rusty. "Go train your dog" became more than advice—it became divine guidance that helped him navigate life's storms.

With hunting stories that showcase Rusty's impressive abilities (including diving completely underwater for a duck and marking a teal at 75 yards), Seth demonstrates how solid training translates to real-world results. But perhaps the most valuable takeaway comes in his parting wisdom: "There's really only one thing that you can control—how much effort you put into it." In retriever training as in life, simply showing up consistently is the foundation of success.

Ready to transform your relationship with your retriever while discovering unexpected lessons about patience, faith, and perseverance? This episode will inspire you to trust the process and train with your heart, not just your hands.

BFH #067: Ever wondered if you could train your own hunting retriever without professional help? James Rousse and his wife faced that question head-on when they brought home their Boykin Spaniel puppy, Benelli. What followed was a journey of patience, perseverance, and unexpected life lessons that transformed both dog and handlers.

Growing up in the hunting culture of Louisiana, James always admired the incredible work of retrievers in the field. When the opportunity arose to get a dog of his own, he chose the compact yet energetic Boykin Spaniel breed and committed to training him personally using Cornerstone Gundog Academy's Complete Retriever course. Despite having no previous retriever training experience, James and his wife tackled each lesson as a team, videoing sessions to identify areas for improvement and holding each other accountable.

The challenges were substantial – sweltering Louisiana heat that required creative solutions like training tents with fans, the need to modify standard hand signals for a smaller dog, and James's natural impatience being tested at every turn. Yet through consistency and focus on finding ways for their dog to win, they gradually built an incredible bond with Benelli. Their efforts culminated in a remarkable first hunting experience, where their young dog completed a challenging blind retrieve in foggy conditions that seemed impossible for a novice.

Beyond the hunting skills, James shares how the training process became a lifeline during personal struggles, providing structure and purpose when he and his wife faced two miscarriages. Now expecting their first child, they've witnessed how Benelli has become increasingly protective of his pregnant "mom." James's perspective on dog training transcends mere obedience – it becomes a mirror reflecting our own character, teaching us patience, resilience, and emotional intelligence in ways we never expected.

Ready to transform your relationship with your retriever? Visit cornerstonegundogacademy.com to learn how you can build an exceptional bond through structured training that brings out the best in both you and your dog.

Dive into a heartfelt conversation with Kevin on building a memorable bond with his hunting dog, Mabel. We explore Kevin's journey from a novice hunter to a dedicated retriever trainer, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs along the way. From learning how to handle Mabel’s exuberance to celebrating remarkable hunting successes, this episode captures the essence of what it means to train a dog and form a partnership in the field.

Listeners will appreciate Kevin’s candid reflections on his training process, his initial struggles, and how Cornerstone Gundog Academy offered the guidance and support he needed. Kevin emphasizes the significant role of foundational work and the value of community, offering practical tips on how aspiring trainers can navigate their own journeys.

The excitement builds as Kevin recounts memorable moments from hunting season including Mabel’s impressive retrieves, showcasing her transformation into a competent hunting companion. His advice resonates deeply, reminding all dog owners that patience is key, and that the struggles faced during training are part of an invaluable learning experience. 

Ready to step into your own journey with a hunting dog? Subscribe today and join us in the pursuit of creating strong, meaningful connections with our dogs in the world of hunting!

In this episode of the Build From Here podcast, host Josh Parvin interviews Ken Witt, a Founder's Member of CGA and the creator of Gundog Nation. Ken shares his journey from a rural upbringing in Kentucky to becoming a lawyer, military veteran, and passionate dog trainer. He discusses the importance of mindset in training, the transition to retrievers, and the value of community in dog training. Ken emphasizes the need to preserve hunting heritage and encourage youth involvement in the sport. He also highlights the significance of consistency and patience in training dogs, as well as the therapeutic benefits of working with them.

Training a retriever can be a rollercoaster of triumphs and challenges. Jarod and Melody Free have grown familiar with these ups and downs over the past 18 months. Join us as Jarod and Melody share how one expensive house repair lead to them taking on the challenge of training their dog, Punch, on their own with the help of our courses. From tackling the fetch hold release phase to navigating the nuances of retriever training drills, their story is a testament to the power of persistence, patience, and fun in retriever training.