Five Things I Learned Training My First Retriever

Are you thinking about training your retriever? If so, you're probably both excited and a little nervous. I remember being in the same position not too long ago. The excitement of starting a new journey with my dog was overwhelming, but so was the responsibility of knowing that how my retriever turned out was in my hands. Training a retriever is challenging, but it's incredibly rewarding when you see the results of your hard work. To help you along your journey, I want to share five valuable lessons I learned while training my first retriever. These lessons will help you avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your path to success. Ready to get started?

Lesson One: It Can’t Be Done in a Day…or Even a Few Months

You've probably heard the saying, "It’s a marathon, not a sprint." But it's one thing to say it and another to live by it. When I started training my first dog, I struggled with this. I was eager to get to the "real" retrieving work and found myself rushing through the basics. I quickly realized that every single thing you do with your dog matters—every skill, every repetition, every moment of patience.

Understand that this journey will take time, but it’s worth it. Instead of rushing to the next skill, take the time to invest in each step of the process. Aim for excellence, even if it takes weeks longer than you anticipated. Your dog needs to master each task, not just perform it. They should be able to do it instinctively as if they could do it in their sleep.

Lesson Two: Success Starts with Your Mindset

Training your retriever is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. There will be plenty of opportunities for frustration, so it's crucial to manage your mindset. My dad used to say, "Attitude determines your altitude," and it’s a principle that guided me through the toughest training days.

When things don't go as planned—and they often won't—you have a choice. You can either let your frustrations take over, or you can pause and assess the situation calmly. By stopping to ask yourself what’s going on, you can make better decisions and avoid unnecessary setbacks.

Here's a quick action plan for when things go south:

• Ask yourself: Why is my dog responding this way? Did I do something wrong? Have I taught my dog everything it needs to know to complete this task?
• Respond: After asking these questions, take a moment to respond thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively.

Remember, your dog will make mistakes—that’s part of the process. Show them grace, stay positive, and keep your mind clear. Each mistake is a step closer to success.

Lesson Three: Don’t Be Afraid to Give Your Dog a Break

When you’re in a good rhythm with training, it’s tempting to keep pushing forward. But sometimes, you’ll hit a point where it feels like you’ve run into a brick wall. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was that it’s okay to take a break and let your dog recharge.

If you’ve had one or two "off" training sessions, it’s probably best to keep going. But if you’ve had three or more consecutive days where nothing seems to go right, it’s time for a short break. Taking a few days off allows both you and your dog to refresh and return with renewed energy. In my experience, this makes a world of difference. After a few days, your dog will come back ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

Lesson Four: My Go-To Drill

Having a go-to drill is like having a reliable tool in your training toolbox. It’s a simple exercise that brings confidence to both you and your dog. For me, that drill is memory retrieving. It’s straightforward but highly effective, allowing me to work on multiple skills at once: heeling, lining, and distance.

Choose a go-to drill that works for you—something simple and free of bad habits. It should be a drill you can always rely on to start and end a session on a positive note.

Lesson Five: Get Connected and Ask Questions

One of the best things you can do is to connect with like-minded individuals and ask questions. Training a retriever can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Surrounding yourself with others who share your goals can provide support, insight, and encouragement.

As I trained my first retriever, I found that asking questions expanded my understanding and introduced me to new training techniques. Whether you choose to connect with us at Cornerstone Gundog Academy or find another community, make sure you have a support system. Our private members' group on Facebook is a great place to start—members share videos, receive feedback, and even meet up to train together in person.

Remember, we’re all stronger together. Don’t hesitate to reach out, connect with others, and ask questions. It will make your training journey much smoother.

Build From Here,

Joshua Parvin

P.S. If you found these tips helpful and are serious about training your retriever, click here to learn more about Cornerstone Gundog Academy.