BFH #069 When Chris Rowland's wife gifted him a Cornerstone Gundog Academy membership for his birthday, neither of them realized it would spark a transformative journey into the world of science-based retriever training. In this captivating conversation, Chris shares how his background in psychology helped him appreciate the profound difference between dogs that work because they "get to" versus those that work because they "have to."
Chris takes us through his evolution from casual hunter to devoted retriever trainer, detailing how he's successfully trained bench-bred show Labradors to perform at impressive levels in the hunting field and formal hunt tests. His main dog Weatherby stands just three master passes away from becoming only the 88th dog in history to achieve both AKC Champion and Master Hunter titles—a testament to the effectiveness of positive reinforcement training and the capabilities of show-line Labs.
The discussion delves into fascinating comparisons between traditional force-based methods and science-based training, exploring how rewarding dogs for desired behaviors creates retrievers that work enthusiastically rather than out of obligation. Chris offers invaluable insights for handlers navigating both the hunting field and competitive hunt tests, emphasizing that while the skills overlap, the priorities and handling approaches differ significantly.
For anyone training a retriever, Chris's parting wisdom resonates deeply: "Take your time, it's an ultra-marathon not a race." Through colorful anecdotes about his multiple dogs and newly-established Elmwood Labradors breeding program, he demonstrates that patience, consistency, and understanding canine psychology ultimately produces better results than rushing through training milestones.