Hunt Test Hobo Podcast

Chris Rud
  • 4.9 (38)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 1D AGO

    EP 53: Marc Patton (Part 1) A Different Way to Think About Retriever Training

    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 workUsing high-value rewards to build motivationBalancing pressure with praiseThe importance of timing, bird help, and clear answersHow training setups should make success obvious for the dogMarc 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.

    1h 3m

  2. MAR 17

    EP 52: When Hunting Season Breaks Your Dog’s 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 seasonUsing white bumpers and visual aids to rebuild markingTeaching marking concepts like hip pockets, pinches, and in-line triplesWhy drills are critical during the transition seasonRe-establishing fundamentals with tune-up drillsEarly-season water work and revisiting cheating conceptsPoison birds and maintaining handling disciplineWhether 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.

    1h 14m

  3. MAR 9

    EP 51: Clark Kennington and One of the Toughest Dogs You’ll Ever Hear About

    In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud sits down with pro trainer Clark Kennington during pre-Grand training in Paducah to talk about one of the biggest events in the retriever world—the Crown. Clark breaks down the tests, the strategy behind running blinds under pressure, and what it’s really like walking to the line when everything is on the line. They dive deep into how the Crown is judged, the challenge of separating elite dogs, and how a single cast can decide a championship. The conversation also turns to one of the most incredible comeback stories in recent retriever competition history—Daisy’s return after nearly dying from a rare fungal infection. From a feeding tube and months of uncertainty to nearly winning the Crown, her story is a reminder of just how tough these dogs really are. If you’re interested in high-level retriever strategy, competition mindset, and the stories behind the dogs we run, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

    1h 17m

  4. MAR 3

    EP 50: Designing a Dog That Can Win Anywhere

    Season 3 kicks off with a deep dive into what it really takes to build a “Grand Slam” retriever. In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with multiple Grand Champion Ron Anderson and training partner Scott Arceneaux to unpack the journey behind one of the most accomplished amateur-trained dogs in the game. We talk about Rip — a true unicorn — and what it means to build a dog capable of winning across formats: Field TrialsHunt TestsThe GrandThe CrownThis isn’t a “we got lucky” story. It’s a 30-year evolution of selective breeding, intentional development, and a training group built on trust, ego-free collaboration, and high standards. We break down: Why Ron flipped the script and built a field trial foundation firstThe “brick by brick” philosophy of developing a complete dogBreeding decisions behind RipThe importance of memory, pressure tolerance, and comfort in chaosHow serious amateurs can compete at the highest levelsWhy intimidation — not mechanics — loses most big eventsIf you’ve ever dreamed of building a dog that can run the SRS one weekend and a field trial the next… this one is for you. This is about more than titles. It’s about building the dog — and the handler — the right way.

    1h 19m

  5. 10/07/2025

    EP 49: The First Wirehair to Pass the Grand – Landon’s Incredible Journey

    In this episode of The Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with Landon—a trainer who’s breaking boundaries in the retriever world. Landon’s dog, Harker, isn’t your typical Labrador—he’s a German Wirehaired Pointer and the first of his breed to ever run and pass the HRC Grand. They talk about what it takes to train a versatile hunting dog for retriever tests, how to build teamwork with an independent breed, and the lessons learned from upland and waterfowl hunting across the country. From Carolina quail plantations to running blinds at the Grand, this conversation is full of grit, humor, and inspiration for anyone chasing the next level with their dog.

    1h 10m

  6. 09/30/2025

    EP 48: Two Chris’ on Pressure, Programs, and Progress

    In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris Rud sits down with Chris Jobman of The Flatlander Kennels Podcast for a deep dive into retriever training. The two discuss the value of crossover training between hunt tests and field trials, why following a structured program matters, and how to avoid confusing your dog with mixed methods. They break down practical drills like ABCDs, wagon wheels, and white coat setups, while also exploring the mental side of dog work—teaching dogs to handle pressure, suction, and stress. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an amateur handler looking to sharpen your program, this conversation is packed with insights to help you build more confident, reliable, and successful retrievers.

    1h 13m

  7. 09/23/2025

    EP 47: Training Beyond Finished: What It Takes to Level Up

    In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris is joined by Zac Patrick to recap an amateur pre-Grand training day in Ohio. With dogs and handlers facing setups tougher than a finished test, the group experienced firsthand the challenges of precision, reading dogs, handling suction, and demanding casts. Chris and Zac break down what they saw—from handlers letting dogs drift too far, to key lessons about attacking blinds, to the importance of raising standards when preparing for the Grand. Whether you’re an amateur handler or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with practical insights, funny stories, and honest reflections from the training grounds.

    57 min

  8. 09/16/2025

    Ep 46: From Hunt Tests to Cash Payouts – The Rise of HRT

    In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, Chris sits down with Justin Smith and Justin Jackson to introduce an exciting new game in the retriever world: Hunting Retriever Trials (HRT). Born out of a desire to give handlers and owners a new challenge beyond traditional hunt tests, HRT offers structured classes, fair competition, and even cash payouts. The conversation dives into the “why” behind this new format, how it’s structured, what the payouts look like, and why it could be a game-changer for amateurs, pros, and breeders alike. If you’ve ever wondered what’s next after your dog smokes the hunt test circuit—or you’ve dreamed of a retriever game with real returns—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

    50 min
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4.9
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Rud
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hunt Test Hobo Podcast
  • Show Website
    Hunt Test Hobo Podcast

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