Hunt Test Hobo Podcast

Welcome to the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, your place for truck side chats and deep insights into the retriever game await. Hosted by Chris Rud, a fellow retriever enthusiast and student of the game, this podcast is your go-to resource whether you're just dipping your toes into the retriever world or you're a seasoned handler looking to sharpen your skills. Join us each week as we delve into the intricacies of retriever training, offering a blend of tips, tricks, and wisdom from both amateur enthusiasts and seasoned professionals. From tales of triumph to strategies for overcoming challenges, we explore it all, with a shared passion for forging unbreakable bonds with our loyal companions. So grab your coffee, hop into the truck, and let's embark on this retriever adventure together. This is the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, and I'm Chris Rud. Let's dive in.

Hunt Test Hobo Podcast is a sports podcast hosted by Chris Rud, with 73 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Chris Rud hosts Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, a sports show with 73 episodes published.

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  Episode #73

  EP 73: Andy Attar: When to Push a Dog and When to Back Off

  Sep 16, 20261h 19mS3

  Andy Attar is back on the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, and this conversation goes deep. After more than 40 years in the retriever game, Andy shares how his approach to training and evaluating dogs has evolved. We talk about the seasonal rhythm of training for field trials, preparing dogs for Nationals, evaluating young dogs, and knowing when a dog simply needs more time versus when it may not have what it takes to become competitive. The conversation really gets interesting when we dive into pressure, confidence, and problem-solving. Andy explains why he believes trainers today need to understand the dog’s mind better than ever—and why simply putting more pressure on a dog isn't always the answer. We also discuss how dogs have changed, why some dogs seem more anxious or compulsive, the importance of allowing dogs to work through adversity, and what it really means to develop a dog into a team player. Another deep conversation with Andy Attar about the art, science, and evolution of training high-level retrievers.

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  Episode #72

  EP 72: Teaching Dogs to Think in the Water with Marc Patton

  Sep 9, 20261h 43mS3

  In this episode, Marc Patton and Chris take a deep dive into water work, including swim-by, cheating singles, angles, reentries, corrections, and how to develop a dog that understands what you're asking rather than simply becoming a robot. Marc explains how he introduces cheating singles, why getting the dog into the water is often the real lesson, when to correct a cheat, and why he believes maintaining momentum is so important. We also talk about stress, over-handling, and knowing when you need to compromise based on the individual dog in front of you. There's a lot of practical water-training information in this one, but just as importantly, Marc shares his philosophy on developing confident, thinking dogs that want to work. If you're working on your dog's water skills, this is one you don't want to miss.

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  Episode #71

  EP 71: Let the Dog Figure It Out with Luke Cour

  Aug 26, 202655 minS3

  Crown Champion Luke Cour joins the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast to talk about his journey through the retriever world and the lessons he's learned from Rody Best and Danny Farmer. We talk about trusting the process, building confident dogs, knowing when to step in, and why sometimes you need to let a dog figure things out. Luke also shares his transition from hunt tests and SRS into field trials, how he structures his training, and why competition-style training can make better hunting dogs. A great conversation about training dogs, learning from others, and enjoying the process.

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  Episode #70

  EP 70: Getting Ready for the Grand: Marks, Blinds & Everything In Between

  Aug 19, 20261h 24mS3

  In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud sits down with Tyler Brenner to talk about one of the most important parts of running the HRC Grand: how you actually prepare a dog for it. Instead of simply throwing harder and harder setups, Chris and Tyler break down the skills that can make the difference when things don't go according to plan. They talk about point-and-shoot training for marks your dog doesn't see, drag-back scent, gun swings, diversion birds, difficult blinds, handling strategy, and why confidence and communication become so important at the Grand. They also discuss how their training changes in the weeks leading up to the event, why they focus more on hunt-test scenarios, how to build a dog's confidence without taking away discipline, and the difference between training a dog to perform a picture and training a dog to deal with the gray areas that inevitably show up at the Grand. And perhaps most importantly, they talk about preparing for the “what ifs.” Because at the Grand, your dog probably isn't going to see every bird—and your ability to stay calm, make a plan, and keep your dog moving can be just as important as the training you've done beforehand.

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  Hunt Test Hobo Podcast

  EP 69: Build a Confident Water Dog: A Transition Guide

  Aug 4, 20261h 37m

  Water work can make—or break—a retriever. In this episode, Chris Rud sits down with Dan Ihrke to walk through the complete progression they use to develop confident, reliable water dogs before advancing to Seasoned and Finished level work. They discuss building water attitude, introducing force-to-pile in water, teaching water T, avoiding common mistakes that destroy confidence, and why timing, simplicity, and momentum matter far more than most trainers realize. Chris also shares the unbelievable story of losing a trailer wheel on the way to a field trial, turning an ordinary weekend into one he'll never forget. Whether you're training your first retriever or refining your program, this episode is packed with practical concepts you can immediately apply. Topics include: Building a dog's water attitude Transitioning from land to water drills Force-to-pile in water Water T fundamentals Preventing cheating and loss of momentum Reading your dog's confidence Balancing pressure and success Common handler mistakes Trailer disasters, field trials, and learning the hard way If you're serious about developing better retrievers, this episode is one you'll want to revisit.

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