Episode description

Elliott and Chris roll through a stacked listener Q and A and tease a new Patreon that will include live recordings, priority questions, and a chance to win time at Chris’s place. Then they get into the training talk, including marking progression for solo trainers, when and how to help a dog on marks, fixing head swinging around multiple gun stations, what seasoned judges are really looking for, how to handle a bird the dog did not see, and a deep dive on pressure spinning on blinds with a pro trained dog. They wrap with practical kennel life questions like feeding schedules, clicker training for hold, cloning a great dog, and why Water Dog is considered outdated for modern retriever training.

Marino DecoysHand carved high end decoys that look incredible in the spread or as display pieces. Mike also offers memorial options to honor a dog that has passed.Find them at marinodecoys.com

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Chris Jobman kicks this one off with a quick season recap, including a trip to Arkansas where the freeze locked everything up except a few key spots, and the ducks absolutely piled in.

Then we get into one of the coolest moments of the episode: Chris breaks down a monster retrieve from Flash in an icy, slushy river, and why situations like that prove every river dog needs to handle, not just to pick up birds, but to stay alive and come back safe.

After that, we roll into listener questions from the Flatlander Kennels Podcast Facebook group, including:
Favorite characteristics in dogs and what Chris looks for in puppies
How to prevent the head drop habit during force fetch
If Chris could bring one UKC rule into AKC and one AKC rule into UKC, what would they be
Transitioning a finished or grand level dog into SRS and why the field trial style is harder than most people think

Partners
Marino Decoys: marinodecoys.com
Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates: mammothpet.comDiscount code: GUARDIAN15 for 15% off

In this episode, Elliott and Chris sit down to answer listener submitted questions from the Flatlander Kennels Podcast Facebook group. The conversation kicks off with a deep dive into treat training and whether dogs should work for food or for the relationship and purpose of the job. From there, Chris breaks down the most common mistakes amateur handlers make when running blind retrieves, including whistle timing, handler ego, and pushing dogs too fast through training. The episode also covers impulse control, pointing labs versus traditional retrievers, force fetch issues that show up in tests, and how hunting setups can affect blind work. If you are training your own retriever or just trying to understand why certain problems show up in the field, this episode is packed with practical advice and real world experience.

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• Heavy-duty travel crate built for dogs on the go.

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Marino DecoysWebsite (official): https://marinodecoys.com/

• Hand-carved, hand-painted decoys and urn decoys that can hold a dog’s ashes and still be hunted over.

• Products include working decoys and memorial urn decoys in several species/styles.

On this episode of the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Elliott and Chris catch up after a short break and end up digging into two things every waterfowler and dog owner is dealing with right now

First they talk late season duck hunting and how weird weather changes everything. Tons of birds, wide open water, no urgency, and ducks that are so patterned they will fly right over the top of you and never even look. Chris breaks down what conditions finally flip the switch and why wind alone is not enough when temperatures stay warm

Then the conversation turns into a big hunting dog reality check. Chris explains why even the best trained dogs in the country can struggle during their first season in a real blind. Six dozen decoys, multiple guns, low light, spinners, cripples, other dogs, and hunters calling while a dog is trying to learn is chaos you cannot truly simulate in training or hunt tests. They talk through how to set young dogs up to succeed, how many birds it can take before things start to click, why patience matters, and why a dog first mindset produces better dogs than a bird first mindset

If your hunting dog has you frustrated, this is the episode that will reset your expectations and give you a better plan for building a steady, confident retriever in real world hunting situations

🔗 Podcast Partners

• Marino Decoys – Hand-carved, hand-painted duck decoys, urn decoys, and unique waterfowl art you can hunt over or use as keepsakes. Check out their full collection and shop decoys or memorial urn pieces at Marino Decoys official site.

• Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Heavy-duty dog kennels built for hunters and adventurers. Rugged travel crates with optional Roll Cage accessories to keep your dog safe whether you’re on the road or in the field. Shop the Guardian series at Mammoth Pet Products – The Guardian Kennel.

Marino DecoysWebsite: https://www.marinodecoys.com
They offer hand carved working decoys and custom memorial urn decoys. Each piece is individually crafted and award winning quality.

Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesWebsite: https://www.mammothpet.comDiscount code: GUARDIAN15 for 15 percent offYou can also find them on Amazon by searching Mammoth Guardian Dog Crate. The roll cage attachment is sold separately and highly recommended for truck bed use.

In this Q and A episode, Chris and Elliott rip through a stack of listener questions covering the real world stuff that comes up between training days and hunting days. They talk about the transition when you bring a dog home from a pro trainer, how to build respect and consistency in the house, and why you should call your trainer instead of chasing random Facebook advice.

They also dig into hunt test nerves and how your pace and energy at the line affects your dog, plus training answers for cast refusals, cover and water “suction,” and why you have to put dogs in controlled danger zones so they learn to work out of trouble. Elliott brings up recurring paw punctures and swelling between toes, and Chris explains what he has seen work and what can happen if it gets worse. They cover setting dogs up for success in brand new hunting scenarios like boats, pits, dog stands, layout style situations, and especially river retrieves with current and decoys.

Finally, they hit sticking at delivery and why it can derail a dog if you do not address it, then close with a discussion on impulse control and how much of it is genetics versus training

In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Chris and Elliott sit down with Mike Marino of Marino Decoys to talk about hand carved cork decoys and the Marino experience. Mike shares how one disappointing box of plastic decoys pushed him to pick up a block of wood and carve his first goldeneye, and how that quickly grew into award winning gunning decoys that look and move like real birds on the water.

They dig deep into his custom dog urn decoys and tell the story of Spank, the grand hunting dog whose ashes now ride inside a huntable decoy built from shotgun shells that were actually fired over him. From lighter January mallards for timber hunts to rigs built for the method stage hunter who cares more about the experience than the pile, this one is all about honoring dogs, elevating the hunt, and creating heirlooms you can pass down to your kids.

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Marino Decoys and Urns

www.marinodecoys.com

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Chris and I are finally back on the mics after a long break and this one is packed. In this episode we recap a wild fall that included the Grand and the Master National, weeks on the road, and what it looks like behind the scenes when you are juggling two trucks full of dogs and big stakes tests. Chris walks through how the Grand went, why this trip felt like “out with the old and in with the new,” and shares the story of Shaker’s retirement at the line. We also talk about Flash hitting ten Grand passes, why Chris thinks Flash might be the best dog he has ever trained, and what really separates a truly great dog from a merely talented one.

From there we dive into the Master National and everything that went sideways. Chris breaks down the confusing judging, how their flight ended up a full day behind, and the unbelievable interference from neighboring landowners that forced them to scrap multiple series and rebuild tests. You will hear honest talk about judging standards, handling pressure when you are running a pile of dogs, and how it feels to have dogs run seven series and still get dropped. Mixed in are some crazy stats on handling unseen marks, updates on the young dogs coming up, and the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye to older warriors who have given everything they have.

If you love high level dog work, behind the scenes test talk, and real honesty about what trainers and dogs go through at the Grand and the National, this episode is for you.

Join us for an engaging episode with Chris Rud, a passionate dog trainer and host of the Hunt Test Hobo podcast. Chris shares his journey from flying model airplanes to mastering the art of dog training. Discover insights into the challenges and triumphs of training retrievers, the importance of patience and precision, and how Chris balances his passion with the demands of the field. Whether you're a seasoned trainer or just starting out, this episode offers valuable lessons and inspiration. Tune in and learn from one of the best in the business!

Partners:Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates: Found on amazon with the search of the name. Get 15% off by using the code Guardian15

Big Cottonwood Retrievers

Grant and Shari Hatch 308-289-6851http://www.bigcottonwoodretrievers.net

In this Flatlander Kennels Q/A session, Elliott and Chris tackle listener questions covering some of the most pressing training topics. From handling creeping at the line, to dealing with dogs shredding birds, to mastering primary selection and cast angles, Chris breaks down practical approaches for amateurs and pros alike. You’ll also hear insights on water sits, blind running attitude, young dog patience in the blind, and even what life looks like for a pro trainer on the road. Packed with real-world advice and perspective, this is an episode handlers at every level can take something from.

Partners

• Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Built tough, safe, and affordable. Search on Amazon and use code GUARDIAN15 for 15% off.

• Big Cottonwood Retrievers – Grant & Shari Hatch, quality Labrador breeding with proven hunt test and field pedigrees.

  www.bigcottonwoodretrievers.net(308) 289-6851

Special Thanks for our partners:

Big Cottonwood Retrievers

Grant and Shari Hatch

https://www.bigcottonwoodretrievers.net/308-289-6851

Mammoth Guardian Dog CrateAvailable on Amazon (search Mammoth Dog Crate)

Code:Guardian15 for 15% off

Chris and Elliott catch up after a busy Double Master at the kennel and dive deep into the HRC Grand with Grand Committee Chairman Tracy Stubbs. Tracy explains how sites are chosen, how judges are paired and trained, what “area of the fall” really means, how blinds are evaluated, and why composure matters as much as control. Chris shares handler insights on finishing blinds, reading marks at distance, and managing nerves across four series plus upland. You will hear how today’s Grand balances power with brains, how the point system works, and why the event is more user friendly while remaining the toughest hunt test around. New partner spotlight is Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates with the roll cage travel attachment and code GUARDIAN15 on Amazon. Shout to Big Cottonwood Retrievers for well bred pups. Join the Flatlander Kennels Podcast Facebook group to ask questions for the next episode.