Chad Batton’s story is one every handler can relate to: starting with doubt, feeling the pressure to “get it right,” and hoping to do justice to a well-bred dog. What began with a fear of failure quickly turned into a deep passion for training, community, and the entire retriever lifestyle. In this episode, Chad shares how Cornerstone Gundog Academy helped him build confidence, overcome defining moments like fetch-hold-release, and eventually discover the joy of training multiple dogs. His journey is honest, encouraging, and packed with insight for anyone on the path of building their first retriever.

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence?

Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy

Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more?

Visit: Retriever Training Supply

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Want to check out Chad Batton's Kennel for training and puppies?

Find him at: @dogwoodretrievers on Instagram!