Are male or female retrievers better? Should every dog be trained the same way? And does it matter how many attempts it takes a dog to earn its Grand Champion title?

On this episode of the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Elliott Snider and Chris Jobman dig into listener questions covering a wide range of retriever training and hunting topics.

Chris discusses how females can react differently around their heat cycles, whether males and females really work differently for their handlers, and why matching your training style to the individual dog is so important. He also gets into teaching dogs to carry casts across cheating points, dogs that put their noses down on blinds, transitioning from force fetch to real birds, ladder fetch, field first-aid kits, and dogs that blow past marks while hunting.

The guys also tackle an interesting question about Grand Champions: Is a dog that goes 2-for-3 at the HRC Grand really better than one that goes 2-for-10? Chris explains why the circumstances surrounding a pass or failure matter—and why some truly exceptional dogs simply find ways to get it done.

Have a question for Chris? Submit it through Patreon or the Flatlander Kennels Facebook community for a future Q&A episode.

PARTNERS

WaterDog USA
waterdog-usa.com

Check out WaterDog USA's retriever and waterfowl apparel. Their Shirt of the Month founding-member program is limited to 100 spots and includes a free hat, koozie and sticker, along with 25% off while you're a member.

Marino Decoys
Mike Marino of Marino Decoys in Pueblo, Colorado creates hand-carved, huntable decoys, custom dog urns and other carvings.

Flight Day Ammunition
flightdayammo.com
Use code FLK10 for 10% off your order.

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Check out Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates and their available accessories, including the exterior roll cage and wheel system.

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Join us on Patreon for additional content, giveaways, Ask Jobman and the opportunity to submit questions directly for future episodes.

patreon.com/jobman

On this episode of the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Elliott recaps opening weekend of teal season and a situation with Georgie that turned into a valuable lesson about handling your dog in an actual hunting situation.

After spending the first hunt focused on steadiness, vocalization and control, Elliott found himself rushing a retrieve on the second day and allowing Georgie to pick up the bird she wanted instead of the cripple he was trying to send her after. Chris breaks down what went wrong, why situations like this have to become training moments, and why handlers have to learn to think like dog trainers even when the hunting gets exciting.

Chris also talks about preparing his dogs for the upcoming HRC Grand, including training with a group of 80–90 dogs, creating Grand-like conditions in training, handling collar-wise dogs, drag-back, blind retrieves and the importance of controlling the things you can control.

We also answer listener questions about difficult training days, dogs going rogue on blinds, making the jump from Started to Seasoned, preparing a young dog for its first hunting season and what Chris wants to see from a dog heading into the Grand.

Join the FLK Patreon for live recordings, priority questions, the Ask Jobman training tool and your chance to win a hunt with Chris and Elliott:
patreon.com/jobman

FLK PARTNERS

Flight Day Ammo
flightdayammo.com
Use code FLK10 for 10% off.

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
mammothpet.com

Marino Decoys
marinodecoys.com

Water Dog
waterdog-usa.com
Check out the new Shirt of the Month Crew. The first 100 founding members receive a free hat, koozie and sticker, plus 25% off for as long as they remain members.

A dog can look great in training, earn titles, and still have a first hunting season that feels like a complete disaster.

In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Chris Jobman and Elliott Snider break down what hunters should realistically expect during a young dog's first season in the field. Chris shares stories of highly accomplished dogs that struggled when they experienced real hunting for the first time and explains why training alone can't completely prepare a dog for the chaos of an actual hunt.

We discuss how to set a young dog up for success, controlling the chaos during those first hunts, choosing the right hunting partners, handling breaking and other bad habits before they become permanent, and why sometimes the best decision you can make is to put the gun down and focus entirely on the dog.

We also answer Patreon questions about returning to training after an extended break, talk about when Elliott should start thinking about Georgie's eventual successor, and get an update on what's happening at Flatlander Kennels.

Join the Flatlander Kennels Patreon:
https://patreon.com/jobman

Get access to Ask Jobman, submit questions for the podcast, join our live shows, and stay connected with the Flatlander Kennels community.

Our Partners

Flight Day Ammunition
https://flightdayammo.com
Use code FLK10 for 10% off.

Marino Decoys

http://marinodecoys.com
Hand-carved, huntable cork decoys and custom dog memorial urn decoys. Check out Merino Decoys and let them know the Flatlander Kennels Podcast sent you.

If you're preparing to take a young retriever into the field this season, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

Chris Jobman and Elliott are joined by Rhett Riddle for a wide-ranging retriever training Q&A. We dig into handling problems at the end of blinds, improving whistle sits, teaching dogs to tread water, dealing with noisy dogs, preparing for hunt tests, and getting a dog mentally ready to perform at its best.

Rhett also talks about getting 15 dogs ready for the Master National, and Chris and Rhett share how they approach some of the most common problems handlers run into with advanced retrievers.

Thanks to the partners who support the Flatlander Kennels Podcast:

Flight Day Ammunition
https://flightdayammo.com
Use code FLK10 for 10% off.

Marino Decoys
https://marinodecoys.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
https://mammothpet.com

Join us on Patreon for live recordings, submit your questions for the podcast, and get access to Ask Jobman:
https://patreon.com/jobman

Is your retriever ready for its first hunt? How do you know if you're using the right amount of pressure during force fetch? What separates average dogs from Master-level performers?

In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Chris Jobman answers listener questions on three of the most important topics in retriever training:

• First Hunt Readiness – Knowing when your dog is truly prepared for opening day and avoiding common mistakes that can set training back.

• Force Fetch Explained – Understanding pressure, building confidence, and creating a reliable retriever.

• Master Test Tips – Improving marks, blinds, casting, and the small details that lead to success at the highest level.

Whether you're training your first hunting dog or preparing for Master Hunt Tests, this episode is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.

Support the podcast and gain access to Ask Jobman, our AI-powered retriever training database, plus exclusive content and our annual hunt giveaway.

Patreon
https://patreon.com/jobman

Partners

Flight Day Ammunition
https://flightdayammo.comUse code FLK10 to save 10%

Marino Decoys
https://marinodecoys.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
https://mammothpet.com

Thanks for listening. We'll see everybody at the line... take dead aim.

In this episode of the Flatlander Kennels Podcast, Chris Jobman and Elliott are joined by Flight Day Ammunition owner Ben Meyers. Ben discusses his young Labrador Duncan, a puppy out of Chris' talented stud dog Red, and gets Chris' thoughts on what he's seeing from Red's offspring so far.

The conversation covers raising a retriever puppy, common training mistakes, e-collar conditioning, whether male or female dogs make better hunting companions, and the foundation every retriever needs before advancing to blind retrieves. Ben also shares the story behind Flight Day Ammunition, why the company shifted away from bismuth, and the science behind building a better steel waterfowl load.

Whether you're training your first retriever or your tenth, this episode is packed with practical advice and plenty of stories from the kennel.

Partners Mentioned in This Episode

Flight Day Ammunition
Premium waterfowl ammunition built for superior patterns and consistent performance.
Use code FLK10 to save 10%.
https://flightdayammo.com

Marino Decoys
Hand-carved hunting decoys and custom memorial urns that honor the dogs we love.
https://marinodecoys.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
Heavy-duty dog crates designed to keep your retriever safe without the premium price tag.
Available at Mammoth Pet Products and Amazon.

Become a patron and get access to Ask Jobman, our AI-powered training assistant built from every Flatlander Kennels Podcast episode, exclusive live recordings, bonus content, and entries into our annual patron hunt giveaway.

https://patreon.com/jobman

Contact us: [email protected]

Support the podcast: www.Patreon.com/Jobman

Partners:

Flight Day Ammunition – Premium steel waterfowl loads built around superior patterns and pellet counts, not marketing hype. Use code FLK10 for 10% off.

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates – Heavy-duty protection, innovative roll-cage design, and built for serious hunting dogs. http://www.mammothpet.com

Merino Decoys – Hand-carved custom decoys, memorial urn decoys, and artwork crafted by true waterfowl hunters. Visit Merino Decoys on Facebook and Instagram to see Mike's incredible work. http://www.marinodecoys.com

This week Chris and Elliott dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in retriever training: timelines and expectations.

How long should a dog spend with a professional trainer? What should owners realistically expect after four, five, or six months in a program? Can a good trainer guarantee where a dog will be at a certain point in training?

Chris explains why dogs don't care about your calendar, why rushing development can create long-term problems, and how successful trainers focus on building the dog in front of them rather than chasing arbitrary deadlines.

The conversation also covers managing a retriever's career, the value of Started and Seasoned hunt tests, avoiding burnout, building dogs for long-term success, and why some of the greatest retrievers Chris has trained were carefully managed over many years rather than rushed to titles.

Plus:

• Upcoming Flatlander Kennels puppy litters

• Flash × Faith and Rainy × Blitz breeding plans

• Recent hunt test results from South Dakota

• Preparing hunting dogs for test season

• Blind retrieve troubleshooting

• Handling common training issues

• Hunt giveaway updates and Patreon benefits

Whether you're training your first gun dog or chasing Grand titles, this episode is packed with practical advice that can save you time, money, and frustration.

Description

What does it really take for an amateur handler to pass the HRC Grand?

In this episode, Chris and Elliott sit down with Luke Donofrio, an Army veteran and amateur handler who recently earned his first Grand pass with his dog Cash. Luke shares his journey from buying a dog to hunt over to competing at the highest level of the HRC game.

The conversation covers Grand preparation, the importance of solid fundamentals, pre-training with large groups, common mistakes amateur handlers make, and what it felt like to finally get the job done after coming up short in previous attempts.

Chris also recaps one of the toughest Grands he has ever attended, discussing difficult test setups, challenging cover conditions, and the lessons learned from a demanding three weeks on the road.

Whether you're chasing your first Finished title or dreaming of running the Grand someday, this episode offers an inside look at the process from both a professional trainer's and an amateur handler's perspective.

Flight Day AmmunitionPremium steel waterfowl loads designed around maximum payload and exceptional patterns.Use code FLK10 for 10% off.
https://www.flightdayammo.com

Merino DecoysHand carved custom decoys, dog urn decoys, and one of a kind pieces of waterfowl art crafted by Mike Merino.
https://www.merinodecoys.com

Mammoth Guardian Dog CratesHeavy duty dog crates built to keep your dog safe while traveling. Available in multiple colors with optional accessories including wheel kits and roll cage attachments.
https://www.mammothpet.com

Contact us [email protected]

In this episode, Chris breaks down one of the most talked about topics in retriever training: direct vs indirect pressure.

We walk through what each one actually means, when to use them, and why so many handlers get confused when trying to apply pressure during casting. Chris explains how pressure should be introduced, why timing matters, and what to do when indirect pressure isn’t getting the job done.

We also dig into real world scenarios including casting refusals, stubborn dogs, and how to properly correct without creating more confusion. If you’ve ever struggled with handling or felt unsure about when to apply pressure, this episode will help clear things up.

Partners:

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
https://www.mammothpet.com
Search “Mammoth Dog Crate” on Amazon

Marino Decoys
https://www.marinodecoys.com

Join us on Patreon:
Get access to live Q and A sessions, priority questions, and exclusive content
https://patreon.com/flatlanderkennels

Contact us at [email protected]

Join us on Patreon: patreon.com/jobman

Chris and Elliott kick things off with a live Patreon Q and A and spend some time talking through what this time of year really looks like at Flatlander Kennels. With hunt test season underway and the Grand right around the corner, Chris shares what goes into preparing a large group of dogs, recent test results out in Salt Lake City, and the challenges of getting dogs ready this time of year with weather and water work.

We also talk about the realities of traveling with a big string of dogs, balancing training with life on the road, and what Chris focuses on heading into a busy stretch of tests.

If you’ve ever wondered what it actually looks like behind the scenes for a pro trainer during hunt test season, this is a good one.

Partners:

Mammoth Guardian Dog Crates
https://www.mammothpet.com
Search “Mammoth Dog Crate” on Amazon

Marino Decoys
https://www.marinodecoys.com