How do you take that adorable puppy you brought home and train him to become a Hunter Retriever Champion? How do you ensure your dog is both a joy at home and a powerhouse in the field?

It takes dedication, commitment, consistency, and a solid plan to develop a dog that reaches his full potential.

Marty Haynes, a CGA Founding Member and Ambassador, has achieved just that. He’s trained his two incredible retrievers, Koda and Bear, to be not only obedient members of his family but also exceptional retrievers in the field. At 7 years old, Koda is breathtaking to watch, displaying his steadiness, drive, and excellence. Bear, at 5 years old, has reached the prestigious status of Hunter Retriever Champion.

Using Cornerstone Gundog Academy’s (CGA) training program, Marty has taken both dogs from their first days at home to becoming finished-level retrievers. He continues to maintain their training with the same dedication. As a valued member of our community, Marty exemplifies what it mean...

Training a duck dog can be overwhelming, especially with so much conflicting information out there. It’s easy to feel lost when everyone online seems to have a different opinion about the best training methods. Josh Peck, a CGA member and ambassador, found himself in this situation when he got his beautiful Lab, Kora. He was searching for a clear path to success—one that would guide him from start to finish.

When Josh discovered Cornerstone Gundog Academy, he knew he had found the solution. CGA provided a straightforward path to success, offering the guidance he needed to know where to start, what to do next, and how to handle any problems that arose along the way.

Today, Kora is a fantastic retriever. Like many of our members, Josh decided to add a second dog to his training journey, and he is now taking his new pup, Nala, through the Complete Retriever program.

Josh shares his experience with CGA:

“One of my favorite things about Cornerstone is that it showed me how to take

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Training your retriever is a rewarding experience, but it’s challenging. Maybe you’re facing a hurdle right now—training was going smoothly, but suddenly it’s come to a standstill. Or perhaps you’re just starting, looking for guidance to prepare for the challenges ahead.

No matter where you are on your training journey, CGA member and ambassador Louie and his retriever Red have some valuable insights to share. Red is the first dog Louie has ever trained, and they began when Red was just a puppy. Now, Red can retrieve anything Louie sends him after, and they’ve built a lasting bond.

Louie shares how they went from being complete beginners to becoming an epic hunting duo.

"Build From Here"

“‘Build From Here’ is all about learning and refining what you already know, and never giving up when you face obstacles. There's no wall you can't climb over if you keep building on what you’ve learned the day or week before. The key is to never give up.”

Focus on Your Bond & Understand How You...

CGA Member and Ambassador Scott Marquis has done an exceptional job training his incredible retriever, Lottie Mae. Together, they've faced the sun, rain, and snow. From her early days as a new pup to making impressive retrieves at Merrymeeting Bay with steadiness, drive, and flawless delivery, Lottie Mae has become a dream retriever.

Are you looking to train your dog to be an epic retriever like Scott did with Lottie Mae? You might be wondering what it takes to make that happen.

After Scott's beloved dog passed away, he was searching for a new companion. This time, he wanted not only a family friend but also a skilled hunting partner.

Scott’s Journey to Finding the Right Approach

Scott explains, "I had always been researching and following Barton Ramsay and Southern Oak Kennels. I knew I wanted a dog from one of their litters. At the same time, I was thinking, 'How am I going to do this? I don’t know anything about training a retriever. What tools or resources do I need?'"

Scott r...

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 ...