In Part 2 of Chris’s conversation with trainer Marc Patton, the discussion dives deeper into the mechanics behind developing elite marking dogs and building cleaner fundamentals in retrievers.

Marc breaks down how he approaches Derby dogs, why he believes in simplifying marking setups, and how repetition with single guns can create the mental pictures young dogs rely on later in competition. The conversation also explores how dogs process marking concepts like angle backs, water entries, and gun memory.

Chris and Marc also spend time unpacking Force to Pile, including a unique training tool Marc uses—a training chute system that creates clearer, more black-and-white decisions for dogs during early blind work.

Other topics include:

• Why many marking problems are actually training picture problems
• The role of bumper size and object selection in hold conditioning
• Preventing “shopping” in a pile
• How environmental pressure affects casting and compliance
• Why simplifying drills often produces better long-term results

If you're working through Derby training, force to pile, or early blind work, this episode offers practical ideas that both amateur and professional trainers can apply immediately.

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with professional trainer Marc Patton of Green River Retrievers to dive deep into some innovative training concepts that are gaining attention in the retriever world.

Marc shares his unique journey into the dog world—including attending a “dog college,” working with sled dogs, and eventually building his retriever training program. Along the way, he developed a philosophy that blends traditional Rex Carr fundamentals with a highly reward-driven approach.

The conversation explores topics like:

• Creating dogs that love the work
• Using high-value rewards to build motivation
• Balancing pressure with praise
• The importance of timing, bird help, and clear answers
• How training setups should make success obvious for the dog

Marc also explains how sled dog conditioning and other working dog disciplines influenced how he thinks about drive, endurance, and training attitude.

If you're interested in building a dog that attacks the work with confidence and enthusiasm, this episode is packed with insights that will make you rethink how reward, pressure, and learning all fit together in retriever training.

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud and Tyler Brenner sit down for a classic truck-side style conversation about the realities of training dogs as an amateur.

Chris shares the latest adventures of “hobo training”—getting kicked out of training grounds, battling Midwest wind storms, hauling wingers around with an e-bike, and squeezing meaningful work into short solo sessions. If you’ve ever trained alone, improvised setups, or wondered how pros and amateurs approach the game differently, this episode will hit home.

The conversation then shifts into practical training insight as Chris and Tyler break down what they focus on right after hunting season ends. They discuss resetting dogs that have relied too heavily on their nose during hunting season, rebuilding visual marking habits, and why this time of year is perfect for drills, marking concepts, and communication work between handler and dog.

Topics include:

• Resetting dogs after hunting season
• Using white bumpers and visual aids to rebuild marking
• Teaching marking concepts like hip pockets, pinches, and in-line triples
• Why drills are critical during the transition season
• Re-establishing fundamentals with tune-up drills
• Early-season water work and revisiting cheating concepts
• Poison birds and maintaining handling discipline

Whether you're coming out of waterfowl season or gearing up for spring hunt tests, this episode gives you practical ideas for getting your dog back into training mode.