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 real insight for anyone serious about improving.

JD also shares his journey—from throwing birds for beer money in college to building Bu-Yah Retrievers into one of the top open kennels in the country.

If you’ve ever wondered what separates hunt test success from field trial success… this is it.

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 conversation also explores how dogs process marking concepts like angle backs, water entries, and gun memory.

Chris and Marc also spend time unpacking Force to Pile, including a unique training tool Marc uses—a training chute system that creates clearer, more black-and-white decisions for dogs during early blind work.

Other topics include:

• Why many marking problems are actually training picture problems
• The role of bumper size and object selection in hold conditioning
• Preventing “shopping” in a pile
• How environmental pressure affects casting and compliance
• Why simplifying drills often produces better long-term results

If you're working through Derby training, force to pile, or early blind work, this episode offers practical ideas that both amateur and professional trainers can apply immediately.

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. Along the way, he developed a philosophy that blends traditional Rex Carr fundamentals with a highly reward-driven approach.

The conversation explores topics like:

• Creating dogs that love the work
• Using high-value rewards to build motivation
• Balancing pressure with praise
• The importance of timing, bird help, and clear answers
• How training setups should make success obvious for the dog

Marc also explains how sled dog conditioning and other working dog disciplines influenced how he thinks about drive, endurance, and training attitude.

If you're interested in building a dog that attacks the work with confidence and enthusiasm, this episode is packed with insights that will make you rethink how reward, pressure, and learning all fit together in retriever training.

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. If you’ve ever trained alone, improvised setups, or wondered how pros and amateurs approach the game differently, this episode will hit home.

The conversation then shifts into practical training insight as Chris and Tyler break down what they focus on right after hunting season ends. They discuss resetting dogs that have relied too heavily on their nose during hunting season, rebuilding visual marking habits, and why this time of year is perfect for drills, marking concepts, and communication work between handler and dog.

Topics include:

• Resetting dogs after hunting season
• Using white bumpers and visual aids to rebuild marking
• Teaching marking concepts like hip pockets, pinches, and in-line triples
• Why drills are critical during the transition season
• Re-establishing fundamentals with tune-up drills
• Early-season water work and revisiting cheating concepts
• Poison birds and maintaining handling discipline

Whether you're coming out of waterfowl season or gearing up for spring hunt tests, this episode gives you practical ideas for getting your dog back into training mode.

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 Crown is judged, the challenge of separating elite dogs, and how a single cast can decide a championship.

The conversation also turns to one of the most incredible comeback stories in recent retriever competition history—Daisy’s return after nearly dying from a rare fungal infection. From a feeding tube and months of uncertainty to nearly winning the Crown, her story is a reminder of just how tough these dogs really are.

If you’re interested in high-level retriever strategy, competition mindset, and the stories behind the dogs we run, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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 capable of winning across formats:

• Field Trials
• Hunt Tests
• The Grand
• The Crown

This isn’t a “we got lucky” story. It’s a 30-year evolution of selective breeding, intentional development, and a training group built on trust, ego-free collaboration, and high standards.

We break down:

• Why Ron flipped the script and built a field trial foundation first
• The “brick by brick” philosophy of developing a complete dog
• Breeding decisions behind Rip
• The importance of memory, pressure tolerance, and comfort in chaos
• How serious amateurs can compete at the highest levels
• Why intimidation — not mechanics — loses most big events

If you’ve ever dreamed of building a dog that can run the SRS one weekend and a field trial the next… this one is for you.

This is about more than titles.
It’s about building the dog — and the handler — the right way.

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 independent breed, and the lessons learned from upland and waterfowl hunting across the country. From Carolina quail plantations to running blinds at the Grand, this conversation is full of grit, humor, and inspiration for anyone chasing the next level with their dog.

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 wheels, and white coat setups, while also exploring the mental side of dog work—teaching dogs to handle pressure, suction, and stress. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an amateur handler looking to sharpen your program, this conversation is packed with insights to help you build more confident, reliable, and successful retrievers.

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 lessons about attacking blinds, to the importance of raising standards when preparing for the Grand. Whether you’re an amateur handler or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with practical insights, funny stories, and honest reflections from the training grounds.

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” behind this new format, how it’s structured, what the payouts look like, and why it could be a game-changer for amateurs, pros, and breeders alike. If you’ve ever wondered what’s next after your dog smokes the hunt test circuit—or you’ve dreamed of a retriever game with real returns—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.