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#59 Want a Boykin that actually loves to retrieve and holds up under pressure? We sit down with Alabama trainer-breeder Jonathan Holland of Tomahawk Kennels to unpack what separates a flashy social clip from a reliable, confident gun dog. Jonathan cuts through the hype with hard-won insight on bloodlines, water work, and day-to-day reps that turn potential into performance.

We start with the Boykin boom: how social media raised awareness, why prices range wildly, and what “elite” really means in a pedigree. Jonathan spotlights the Brandywine program and explains how true performance breeding comes from years of selecting for birdiness, water attitude, structure, and titles earned in real work. From there, we dig into the spaniel-versus-retriever gap. A Boykin’s last name is Spaniel, and training must respect that DNA. He shows how timing and balance matter more than bravado, why too much pressure kills confidence fast, and how marker training with a vocal “yes” builds clarity before formal drills demand precision.

Water work becomes the crucible. Jonathan designed narrow ponds and re-entry lines to teach soft de-cheating and to stack short swims for far more quality reps. He explains why a dog that “loves” lake splashes may still crumble on formal lines, cheaty banks, or no-go moments. Expect fails at hunt tests built for labs; use them as fuel to refine setups, improve whistle timing, and make fewer mistakes. We also talk about expanding into labs and goldens for bigger games, while still pushing Boykin consistency through intentional pairings and smarter foundations. The throughline is simple: keep it fun, be fair, and design training to make the right choice the easy choice.

If you’re serious about Boykins, retriever training, or just want better sessions with less pressure and more progress, this one’s packed with practical detail you can use today. Subscribe, share with a training buddy, and leave a review telling us your go-to water drill and why it works.

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