🎉 Partner Spotlight: Big Cottonwood Retrievers

We’re proud to be partnered with Big Cottonwood Retrievers, owned and operated by Grant and Sheri Hatch. If you're looking for high-quality Labrador puppies from proven hunting lines, Big Cottonwood Retrievers is the place to go. They use several Flatlander Kennels stud dogs in their program, and we train a lot of their pups—so we can vouch for the drive, intelligence, and talent of these dogs.

📍 Located in Nebraska
📞 Phone: (308) 289-6851
🌐 website: https://www.bigcottonwoodretrievers.net

📘 Facebook: Big https://www.bigcottonwoodretrievers.net/Cottonwood Retrievers

Big changes are coming to the Master National—and not everyone is happy about it.

In this episode of The Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Elliott Snider and pro trainer Chris Jobman dive deep into the recent announcement limiting total entries at the 2026 Master National to around 840 dogs. Chris doesn't hold back as he shares how this decision is impacting pros, clients, and the future of the sport.

They cover:

• Why the decision feels like a slap in the face to professional trainers

• How it cuts income and opportunity for working dog handlers

• The growing divide between amateurs and pros in retriever events

• Why this may signal the decline—or even the end—of the Master National as we know it

• A hint at a new game on the horizon that could change everything

If you care about the future of retriever hunt tests, this is a must-listen.

🔥 Join the conversation on the Flatlander Kennels Facebook Group and make sure to Follow the new Flatlander Kennels Page to share episodes more easily.

In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Elliott Snider and Chris Jobman sit down for a Q&A session covering some of the most important details in dog training and test handling. Chris breaks down how he communicates with dogs at the line, when to use a verbal back cast, how to fix creeping and popping, and how to teach better swing mechanics. The guys also dive into a hot topic: Are AKC Master tests getting too soft? Chris shares his honest take on the state of judging, weekend test standards, and the line between challenge and fairness. Whether you're a seasoned handler or just getting started, this episode is full of valuable insight and a good dose of humor.

Be sure to submit your questions on Instagram or in the Flatlander Kennels Podcast Facebook group to be featured in future episodes!

In this episode, Chris Jobman and Elliott Snider dive into the foundational steps of running cold blinds. Chris breaks down how to set up early cold blind work, body positioning, cast refusals, indirect pressure, and when to start adding complexity. Whether you're on land or water, the key is patience, simplicity, and building confidence. This one’s full of practical advice for both amateurs and seasoned trainers looking to sharpen their blind work.

Chris Jobman is back from the 2025 Grand, and in this episode we dig into everything that went down—weather challenges, lighting issues, and tough setups that made this one of the hardest Grands yet. Chris breaks down how his training group prepared at Habitat Flats, how his 22 dogs fared, and the little details that made the difference. We talk about Georgie’s progress, the mental toll of big tests, and why even the best dogs sometimes go out early. Chris also shares what it meant to hit 61 Grand passes—and what it would take to reach 70 or even 100.

In Part 2 of this Flatlander Kennels roundtable, Chris Jobman leads a powerhouse Q&A session alongside Chris Akin (Webfooted Kennels), Eric Teson (Habitat Flats Kennels), and Rhett Riddle (Bay Creek Kennels). These top-tier trainers tackle questions straight from the Flatlander Kennels Podcast Facebook Group, covering topics like:

• Building confidence in the water

• Training dogs to fight wind and hold their lines

• Puppy training philosophy and exposure

• Marking drills for tighter hunts

• Auto-casting and scent cone avoidance

Whether you're new to hunt tests or prepping for the Grand, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and hard-earned advice from some of the best in the business.

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. They dive deep into preparation strategies, mental challenges, changes in the event over time, judging consistency, and the importance of sticking to your training style. This is one of the most detailed and honest conversations about running the HRC Grand you’ll find anywhere.

Stay tuned for part two—our Q&A episode—where we answer listener-submitted questions from the Flatlander Kennels Podcast Facebook group.

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 line.

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, this episode is full of laughs, lessons, and legendary stories.

They dive into how Jim transitioned from an eager amateur into a professional dog trainer, the challenges of balancing passion and profession, and the realities of building a kennel from the ground up. You’ll hear hilarious behind-the-scenes tales from the hunt test circuit, lessons learned from Deke’s early momentum training, and unfiltered advice for amateurs looking to go pro.

Whether you're in it for the dogs, the laughs, or the wisdom from two seasoned trainers, this story-packed episode delivers it all.

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 simulated flyers, bucket drills, interrupted triples, master test prep, and more. Whether you’re training for finished or master-level tests, this episode is packed with insights you can take straight to the field.

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 important than lining. Plus, Elliott and Chris answer listener questions on training drive in British Labs, managing hunt test burnout, and prepping for the Grand and Master National. Join us for another in-depth training discussion and be sure to check out the full Flowchart series on YouTube and Facebook!