Training your gundog is a journey filled with moments of glory and challenge. Your dog has a mind of their own. Some days, it feels like you're perfectly in sync, while other days, they do the opposite of what you expected!

So, how can you ensure you have more days where everything clicks?

#BuildFromHere

This is the essence of what Cornerstone Gundog Academy (CGA) is all about.

At CGA, we believe in taking each success you have in training and building on it, step-by-step, until your dog is making epic retrieves during the hunt. This approach allows you to turn small victories into major achievements.

The Power of Incremental Progress

Building from success might look like getting your puppy to sit in place for the first time today and having them repeat the behavior consistently over the next few days. It could also mean pushing that blind retrieve from 50 yards to 60 yards today. Before long, you've stretched it out to 300 yards, and your dog is ready to retrieve anything you se...

Vickie has done an incredible job training her gundog, Claire. Through consistent work and mutual trust, they’ve built a strong bond that shines in the field. Watching Claire retrieve is a sight to behold, showcasing the power of dedication and the right training approach.

Vickie has a clear message for anyone looking to train an exceptional gundog: “It’s all about progress, not perfection.”

At Cornerstone Gundog Academy (CGA), we have a saying: #BuildFromHere and Progress Over Perfection. Vickie has truly embraced this mindset in her training with Claire. “What I learned going through the process is that you just follow the progress of the program. Don’t rush. Don’t be in a hurry. Enjoy the journey. Enjoy the process. Build from where you are and continue to build on from there,” Vickie shares.

Vickie emphasizes the importance of celebrating small wins. “Celebrate your wins in training. If your dog doesn’t understand something, they’re trying to tell you. Back up, take your time, a...

“I can trust him as much as he trusts me.” These words perfectly capture the bond between Nicholas and his incredible retriever, Winston. From the moment they met, Nicholas felt that Winston had chosen him, and their connection was instant. Wanting the very best for his new companion, Nicholas turned to Cornerstone Gundog Academy (CGA) to ensure Winston would grow into a well-trained and reliable hunting dog.

Nicholas believes that following CGA's motto, #BuildFromHere, has been crucial in developing the strong bond they share.

“BuildFromHere has meant everything to us,” Nicholas explains. “Winston is the first dog I’ve ever trained, and the Cornerstone program helps you create a bond and build the drive within your dog, so he wants to do the work.” This approach has allowed Winston to not only become a skilled retriever but also a loyal companion.

“BuildFromHere is fantastic,” Nicholas continues. “The key is focusing on specific aspects of training, knowing that every effort you pu...

Jake started just like many of our members—without any prior experience in dog training. Today, he's the proud owner and trainer of two exceptional retrievers, Sadie and Slate. Through Cornerstone Gundog Academy (CGA), Jake not only learned effective training methods but also understood the reasoning behind each technique. This knowledge has empowered him to make confident decisions in training, creating dogs that are not only powerful in the field but also well-behaved at home. You too can gain this level of confidence in dog training!

Today, Jake shares a glimpse into how he prepares for hunts with his two incredible gundogs.

“One of the great things about having multiple dogs trained through Cornerstone is that you end up with happy, confident dogs,” Jake says. Watching Slate’s tail wag enthusiastically during training, you can see the joy and excitement he brings to every session.

“One of the things I love about Cornerstone is the bond you build with your dog,” Jake continues....

 Is There a Minimum Age for Hunting with Your Dog?

As with many things in dog training, the answer to this question varies: it depends on the dog. Some hunting dogs mature quickly, while others may take a bit longer to be ready. When considering the minimum age for hunting, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, it’s about understanding your dog's growth, maturity, training experience, and what you expect from their first hunt.

What Should My Dog Know Before We Go Hunting?

Pinpointing the specific skills your dog needs for duck hunting is easier than deciding the right age for them to start. We categorize these essential skills into two groups: obedience skills and gundog skills. A dog doesn't need to be "fully trained" to go hunting, but they must have a solid foundation in certain areas.

Obedience Skills: Your retriever should be reliable in basic commands like sit, stay steady, place, heel, and recall. These commands should be second nature, not just in the controlled ...

My Dog's First Hunt: What Went Wrong and How I Fixed It

The first hunting dog I ever trained was an English Springer Spaniel named Ruger. To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing. Ruger had professional training for upland hunting. However, I was on my own for waterfowl training.

I tried to learn from YouTube videos and my observations. I truly believed Ruger was ready for his first waterfowl hunt. But as I soon discovered, I was way off the mark.

For our first duck hunt, I decided to go with a waterfowl guide service in the Mississippi Delta. Ruger and I were paired with a few other hunters and set out to a flooded bean field that had reportedly been holding mallards the day before. Just as we were loading our guns, minutes before shooting light, massive flocks of mallards started dropping into the hole. The anticipation was electric—we were all convinced we were about to experience the hunt of a lifetime.

As our guide gave the “thirty seconds” warning, I was on the edge of ...

I drove to Michigan for an early-season goose hunt a few years ago. I had a bag of dog food in my truck bed, and I drove through some rain along the way. I didn't think much of it until later that evening when I went to feed my dogs. As I lifted the bag, it felt unusually light. The bottom had split open, spilling food all over the truck bed, and ruining the entire bag. Lesson learned—the hard way.

If you have a working dog, you likely have a hungry dog. Working dogs consume a lot of food, and many owners choose high-quality dog food to keep their hunting companions in top shape. Whether a bag lasts a month or a week, quality dog food is a significant investment. Protecting that investment is crucial, and that’s where a dog food storage container becomes invaluable.

Why Air and Moisture Matter

Even though high-quality dog food bags are designed to keep food fresh on store shelves, they often fall short once opened. Air, humidity, water, bugs, and even critters can quickly turn a b...

Coming out of duck season, did you have any epic moments that ended with fist pumps and high-fives around the blind? If so, it's likely your dog ran both marked and blind retrieves. These retrieves are common in hunting scenarios, and training your dog for both is crucial to developing a well-rounded gundog.

A marked retrieve is when your dog can visually see the object (like a bird) fall and knows where it is. In contrast, a blind retrieve is when the dog doesn't see the object fall and must rely on your guidance to find it. Understanding the differences between these retrieves and how to train for each is essential for effective hunting and developing a top-notch gundog.

Making Your Dog a Marking Pro

Two seasons ago, I was on a goose hunt with friends in Arkansas, targeting Speckled Belly Geese. Unexpectedly, we decoyed a flock of snow geese, and one wounded bird sailed out about 400 yards into a cut bean field. “Did he mark that?” my friend Aaron asked as he glanced at my dog, ...

If you're worried about taking a short break from retriever training, you're not alone! One of the most common questions about gundog training is, "How long is too long to take time off with your retriever?" The reality is that hunting season can be tough on a dog, both physically and mentally. Many water dogs end the season a little behind in their training compared to where they started.

Giving your duck-hunting dog a short break once the season ends can be incredibly beneficial. Your retriever has probably earned some rest between traveling, navigating cold water, and enduring demanding hunts. And let’s face it—most of us duck hunters are pretty worn out too. Taking a break won't be detrimental to you or your dog; in fact, it can be a great opportunity to recharge.

Making the Most of Your Time Off

While taking a break from retriever training, it's helpful to start planning your training strategy for when you resume. Reflect on the past season and consider what your gundog strug...

Hunting With Multiple Retrievers

Hunting with multiple retrievers can be an exhilarating experience, but it also comes with unique challenges. Training one dog for duck hunting is already a significant task, but preparing two or more dogs to work together in the field requires a whole new level of training and preparation. Even if your duck hunting dog is well-trained, there are several factors to consider before bringing multiple dogs into the blind.

Should You Hunt with an Untrained Dog?

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to assess the training level of the other dog that will be hunting alongside yours.

If the other dog is untrained, it might be best to leave your dog in the truck or at home. An unsteady or poorly trained dog can tempt your steady hunting dog to pick up bad habits, such as breaking, making noise, or failing to deliver to hand. The risk of undoing months or even years of training may not be worth the potential rewards of hunting with both dogs.

The...