Fresh from the latest episode of the Build from Here podcast — Kevin Wright shares the full story of his Labrador Retriever Mabel’s journey. 

If you’ve ever watched your puppy or young dog struggle with the basics and thought, “Is this dog ever going to turn out?” — you’re not alone.

Kevin Wright felt the exact same way. Early in training, things felt chaotic. Progress was inconsistent. Frustration mounted. At times it genuinely felt like a “train wreck.”

Fast forward to Mabel’s second full hunting season: 173 successful retrieves under her belt. Blinds. River work. Multiples. Tough birds. A dog that had become steady, capable, and a true hunting partner.

How did they get there?

Through patience, community support, and — most importantly — a clear, step-by-step training plan that removed the guesswork. Kevin followed Cornerstone Gundog Academy’s 52 Plus program from the very beginning.

This is the story of what’s possible when you stop guessing and start following a proven retri...

Struggling with Retriever Training? You’re Not Alone 

Bringing home a retriever puppy or young dog is exciting—but turning that pup into a calm, steady hunting companion can feel overwhelming. Hunters and gundog enthusiasts often search for answers to questions like:

•  How do I start retriever puppy training the right way?

•  What’s the best way to build steadiness without creating a nervous dog?

•  How can I teach reliable marks and blinds that transfer to real hunts or tests?

•  Why does scattered online advice leave me stuck with inconsistent progress?

If you’re searching for gundog training programs, labrador retriever training, or hunting dog obedience, this post breaks down a proven path based on a real success story.

Blake Allen’s Journey: From Early Competition Setback to Grand Hunt Retriever Champion 

In the Build From Here podcast episode “Train Small → Win Big,” CGA member Blake Allen shares his honest story with his retriever, Rose. After an early failure in compet...

The Struggle Is Real: When Your Dream Dog Becomes a Source of Frustration

You’ve waited for this. You finally brought home that energetic Labrador Retriever puppy—the one you pictured fetching birds in the blind, bonding with your family, and becoming the reliable hunting partner you always wanted.

But reality hits hard. Your high-drive, headstrong Lab ignores commands. Force Fetch falls apart. Training sessions end in mutual frustration. Your perfectionist tendencies clash with your dog’s personality, and instead of the joyful partnership you envisioned, you’re left wondering if you’re failing your dog—or if the dog just “won’t make it.” 

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many aspiring gundog owners face this exact pain.

Meet Blair Badham and Gus: A Story of Transformation

Blair Badham, a busy professional and outdoor enthusiast from Birmingham, Alabama, lived this story. Growing up fishing with his dad and later discovering hunting, Blair wanted to share that lifestyle with a do...

Turning Your Retriever into a Field-Ready Hunting Partner

If you’re like most waterfowl hunters, you’ve pictured it. Your dog leaps off the tailgate at first light. It stays steady as a rock while the flock circles. Then it charges through the marsh for a perfect retrieve.

No whining, no breaking, just pure teamwork that makes every hunt better.

That vision is why many people start looking for real answers. They want to find the best duck dog program to train a waterfowl dog.

The truth is, most hunters hit the same wall. They try old-school force methods or whatever random drills they find online, only to end up with a dog that’s either burned out, injured, or just going through the motions. Sound familiar? You’re not alone—and there’s a better way.

At Cornerstone Gundog Academy, we’ve helped thousands of hunters avoid that frustration. We do this by giving them a clear, proven path.

Our members, like Heath with his dog Oakley, have lived the transformation: moving from collar-he...

If you’ve ever dreamed of watching your Golden Retriever swim confidently through cold water, pick up a downed duck or goose, and deliver it straight to hand—without breaking, whining, or chasing distractions—you’re not alone. But turning that vision into reality can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to gundog training.

The good news? You don’t need years of trial-and-error or expensive professional trainers. With Cornerstone Gundog Academy’s preplanned training lessons, even complete beginners can build a steady, reliable waterfowl retriever from puppyhood.

And we’ll prove it with a real case study straight from our Build From Here podcast: Zach Sandknop and his Golden Retriever Ted, who went from an 8-week-old puppy to an HRCH title holder—excelling in water marks, blinds, and honors that mirror real waterfowl hunts.

Zach’s Real-Life Case Study Using Cornerstone Gundog Academy’s Easy-to-Follow Preplanned Lessons 

Is CGA for Golden Retrievers?

Absolutely. Golden Retriever...

Many dog owners wonder if training an older dog—especially for hunting dog training—is still possible. The truth is most adult dogs, even at 3 years old or older, can still learn the skills needed to become reliable hunting partners.

In this case study, you’ll see how Cody Lloyd took his 3-year-old retriever, Bo, and transformed him into a confident, steady hunting dog using a clear structure and consistent training plan. Cody’s experience proves that it’s not too late to start training an older dog and that your dog may be more capable than you think.

Case Study: How Cody Trained His 3-Year-Old Retriever and Turned Him Into a Reliable Hunting Dog

Cody Lloyd spent two and a half years trying to learn how to train a hunting dog. He spent his time piecing together training from YouTube videos, books, and multiple sources. His lab Bo could sit, stay, and heel- but three things plagued him.

His steadiness dropped whenever Cody stepped away, casting was nonexistent, and big honkers were...

Are you the proud owner of a Boykin Spaniel, dreaming of watching your energetic little hunter dash across the marsh to retrieve that perfect duck? As a hunter or outdoor enthusiast, you want a loyal companion who’s as reliable in the blind as they are cuddly on the couch. But let’s face it—training a Boykin Spaniel for waterfowl retrieval can feel overwhelming. With their boundless energy and independent streak, these spaniels aren’t always the “easy” retriever breed. What if you could transform your pup into a steady, confident waterfowl retriever without the frustration of trial-and-error?

At Cornerstone Gundog Academy, we’ve helped countless hunters like you build that unbreakable bond and field-ready skills. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how our online courses can guide your Boykin Spaniel’s training journey, highlight what makes this breed uniquely suited (and challenging) for waterfowl work, and share real success stories. Ready to turn your Boykin into the ultimate ret...

CGA Member and Ambassador, Zach Sandknop, and his beautiful Golden Retriever, Ted, are accomplishing their goals spectacularly. They are crushing hunt tests, enjoying hunts, and going on many family adventures. Ted is an excellent retriever and the best family companion.

In the video, you can see Zach, his adorable helper, and Ted preparing for duck season. Are you wanting to train your dog to be incredible in the field and at home?

3 Ways You Can Have the Same Results

1. Follow a plan.

Many first-time trainers try to piece together training from many different sources. They may be using solid sources (or maybe not), but when you mix methods, you often end up confusing yourself and your dog. Ending up with a dog that you have to leave at home is not what anyone sets out to do. Your dog can reach its full potential when you follow a cohesive, solid plan. 

2. Join an encouraging community. 

You will have questions as you're training your dog. Where are you going to get the answer...

CGA member and ambassador Mike Clingan has trained his dog, Crosby, to be an epic retriever not only in the field but also on all their adventures together. Their dedication to training—and Mike's incredible photography skills—has made Crosby the star of many magazine covers.

For Mike, photography is more than a job—it's a passion. And it's even more special because his best friend, Crosby, gets to be a part of it. Imagine the adventures (or even the everyday moments) you'd like to share with your dog. Unfortunately, many people find themselves leaving their dogs at home, missing out on adventures, even when their pups started with so much potential. But that doesn't have to be you!

Here are some tips on how to train your dog to be a part of your life:

1. Follow a Consistent Plan

With so much information out there on dog training, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Some of it is excellent, while some can be misleading. Even two pieces of good advice from different training systems can ...

CGA member and ambassador Cody Weis exemplifies what Cornerstone Gundog Academy stands for - training with excellence and commitment. Cody’s dedication to building on what his dogs, Sage and Honey, already know and helping them reach their full potential shows that every hunter deserves a dog they can be proud of, both in the field and at home.

Today, Cody is sharing four practical ways to use everyday scenarios to build and maintain your dog’s training.

1. Steadiness

Meal times are perfect opportunities to practice steadiness. Before feeding your dog, have her stay in the kennel, sit, or remain at her designated place while you put her food bowl down. Only when you release her by name can she enjoy her meal. If she lunges for the bowl before being released, simply lift the bowl away and reinforce the command, encouraging her to return to the position before you give the release signal.

2. Eye Contact

Encouraging eye contact before meals or during release for free play helps bui...