Creatures of Habit — Are Your Training Habits Helping or Hurting Your Dog?

In this episode of the Cornerstone Gun Dog Academy Podcast, we explore a simple truth that shapes every training journey: both you and your dog are creatures of habit.

After a memorable hunting experience — and a timely reminder from a CGA member — we dive into how unnoticed patterns can either accelerate progress or quietly hold you back.

You’ll learn how to evaluate your training approach, recognize when frustration is pointing to a needed adjustment, and make small but powerful changes that can dramatically improve your results.

We cover:

• Why following a proven process matters
• How consistency builds reliable retrievers
• When to stay the course — and when to adapt
• The power of subtle training adjustments
• Why great trainers learn to think from different angles

If you want a calm, confident, capable retriever, it starts with taking ownership of your habits and training with intention.

Stop guessing. Start progressing.

✅ Subscribe for more weekly retriever training tips and proven methods from Cornerstone Gundog Academy — your guide to training a hunting retriever you can be proud of!

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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Train a Hunt-Ready Retriever by Next Season (Start Now)

If you’re listening as this episode drops in February 2026, you’re in a prime window to build a hunt-ready retriever by next hunting season—as long as you start now and train with a plan.

In this episode, we break down what “hunt-ready” actually means (hint: it’s not about age—it’s about skill level and consistency under real-world pressure). You’ll learn the foundational skills your dog must have before stepping into the blind, why rushing the timeline can backfire, and how to create a training path that holds up when it’s cold, chaotic, and exciting.

We cover:

• The #1 decision you must make: don’t hunt the dog before it’s truly ready
• The core hunt-ready skills: steadiness, delivery to hand, marking, lining
• Why “my dog can do it in training” isn’t the same as “my dog can do it on opening day”
• A simple weekly schedule to stay consistent (4 days/week, ~20 minutes)
• How community + coaching keeps you from spiraling when problems pop up

If you want a calm, confident, capable retriever by next season, this episode gives you the roadmap—and the standards—to get there.

✅ Subscribe for more weekly retriever training tips and proven methods from Cornerstone Gundog Academy — your guide to training a hunting retriever you can be proud of!

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

Interested in sponsoring the Cornerstone Gundog Academy Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

When should you start training a duck dog?
Most people think of dog training as a project — something you start, finish, and move on from.

That mindset is exactly what causes problems later.

In this episode, we break down why duck dog training is a lifelong journey, not a checklist, and why the best time to start is earlier than most people realize.

You’ll learn:

• Why waiting to train “until later” quietly creates bad habits
• The ideal age to start training — and what to do if your dog is already older
• Why great duck dogs aren’t built through pressure, but through connection
• The difference between a “finished dog” and a dog that truly wants to please
• How early routines and small wins shape calm, confident behavior in the blind

Whether you’re bringing home an 8-week-old puppy or starting with an older dog, this episode will help you understand where to begin, how to progress, and what really matters long-term.

Because the best duck dogs don’t come from rushing the process —
they come from building it right, from day one.

✅ Subscribe for more weekly retriever training tips and proven methods from Cornerstone Gundog Academy — your guide to training a hunting retriever you can be proud of!

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

Interested in sponsoring the Cornerstone Gundog Academy Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

The first 24 hours with your new retriever are crucial. In this episode, Josh breaks down exactly what to expect on puppy pickup day, common mistakes to avoid, and simple steps to create a calm, confident start. From the car ride home to the first night in the crate, this guide makes day one easy—and sets the foundation for a great retriever.

Links discussed in the episode...

👉 Link to Preparing For Your New Puppy Blog

👉Link to Retriever Puppy Page Full of Great Tips and Blogs

✅ Subscribe for more weekly retriever training tips and proven methods from Cornerstone Gundog Academy — your guide to training a hunting retriever you can be proud of!

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

Interested in sponsoring the Cornerstone Gundog Academy Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

Ever look at your young dog and wonder if you’re about to launch its hunting career… or accidentally set it back? In this episode, Josh pulls back the curtain on the honest truth behind “readiness”—the moments that shape a dog’s entire future, the mistakes that can quietly cripple potential, and the confidence that comes from doing it right. You’ll hear why the 10-month mark matters, what real steadiness looks like, and how the four stages of learning can turn hesitation into certainty. If you love your dog and want to give it the very best start in the field, this episode will hit home.

Links discussed in the episode...

👉 Link to Four Stages of Learning Blog

👉 Link to How to Know When Your Dog is Ready to Hunt? Blog

✅ Subscribe for more weekly retriever training tips and proven methods from Cornerstone Gundog Academy — your guide to training a hunting retriever you can be proud of!

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

Interested in sponsoring the Cornerstone Gundog Academy Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

In this episode of the Cornerstone Gundog Academy Podcast, Barton Ramsey dives into one of the most important—and often misunderstood—parts of raising a great retriever: puppy socialization.

What does it really mean to socialize your pup? How do you set them up for success in those crucial first months? Barton unpacks the philosophy behind socialization, shares practical do’s and don’ts, and explains why shaping your puppy’s worldview early on makes all the difference.

You’ll learn:

• Why socialization isn’t just exposure—it’s about positive experiences.
• The key people, places, and situations your pup should encounter early.
• How early interactions with mom, littermates, and you shape lifelong behavior.
• Common mistakes owners make (and how to avoid them).

Whether you’re getting a new puppy, already have one at home, or just want to better understand your dog’s development, this episode will give you the tools to build a confident, well-adjusted gundog.

👉 Subscribe for more weekly retriever training tips and proven methods from Cornerstone Gundog Academy — your guide to training a hunting retriever you can be proud of!

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

Interested in sponsoring the Cornerstone Gundog Academy Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

Does first pick really matter when choosing a puppy? In this episode of the Cornerstone Gundog Academy Podcast, Barton Ramsey dives into why focusing on the litter and parents matters far more than pick order. Backed by years of breeding, training, and research, you’ll learn what really sets you up for success.

Read the Blog Referenced in This Episode by Clicking Here

👉 Subscribe for more weekly retriever training tips and proven methods from Cornerstone Gundog Academy — your guide to training a hunting retriever you can be proud of!

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

Interested in sponsoring the Cornerstone Gundog Academy Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

In this episode of the Cornerstone Gundog Academy Podcast, we revisit one of the most impactful lessons I’ve ever shared—the five things I learned while training my very first retriever. Originally written as an email and later expanded into a blog, these lessons have resonated with countless retriever owners. Now, I’m bringing them to the podcast—updated with new insights and bonus wisdom gathered from years of training, conversations, and community feedback.

You’ll discover:

• What the hardest part of owning a retriever is.
• How shifting your mindset can unlock breakthroughs when training feels overwhelming.
• The importance of giving both you and your dog a break to reset and refocus.
• A trainer’s secret: using a simple go-to drill to rebuild confidence and keep momentum.
• Why community and connection are essential to success—and how the CGA family supports each step of the journey.

Whether you’re just starting out with your first retriever or looking for a fresh perspective to reignite your training, this episode will encourage you to slow down, enjoy the process, and make the most of every moment with your dog.

🎧 Tune in, take the next step forward, and be reminded: training isn’t about checking off boxes—it’s about building a lifelong bond.

Read the Blog Referenced in This Episode by Clicking Here

👉 Subscribe for more weekly retriever training tips and proven methods from Cornerstone Gundog Academy — your guide to training a hunting retriever you can be proud of!

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

Interested in sponsoring the Cornerstone Gundog Academy Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.