In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, host Chris Rudd sits down with Jake Stinson and Bill Schaefer for a wide-ranging, honest, and often hilarious conversation about life in the retriever world. From Bill’s unlikely journey with a Lab-Chesapeake cross named Bomber—who became a rare mixed-breed Grand Champion—to Jake’s start training his first dog on crutches in his mom’s backyard, this episode is packed with real stories that prove great dogs can come from humble beginnings.

They also dive deep into pre-Grand training stress, the mental side of competition, what separates good dogs from elite ones, and why consistency and heart often beat fancy pedigrees. And yes, you’ll hear the now-legendary story of how Jake’s ATV saved Chris during a bathroom emergency at his first SRS event.

Whether you're an amateur with one dog or a pro running ten, this episode is full of insight, humor, and heart from two handlers who’ve lived it.

In this special solo episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, I share the story of how Winter earned her QA2 title at our latest Qual. From the long training days and unexpected setbacks to a standout water series that she smoked. I walk you through the entire experience. I also break down five key tips for anyone preparing to run a Qual, especially if you're coming from the hunt test side. Whether you're chasing ribbons or just curious about what it takes to compete at this level, this episode is packed with insight, reflection, and plenty of real talk from the field.

In this episode of the Hunt Test Hobo Podcast, we dive deep into the critical skill of marking with seasoned pro trainer Dan Ihrke. Dan unpacks what makes a great marking dog, from visual focus and memory to factors like terrain, timing, and training setups. With his no-nonsense approach and decades of experience, Dan shares practical strategies for developing marking skills that hold up under pressure. Whether you're running started dogs or fine-tuning finished retrievers, this episode offers valuable insight into the art, science, and mindset behind great marking work.