The Journey of Training an Epic Retriever: Scott and Lottie Mae's Story

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 realized there were two essential things he needed to train his retriever effectively:

1. You Need a Plan

"I bought a couple of books and DVDs, but after going through them, I felt I needed something with daily or weekly guides. I often found myself watching YouTube videos where an expert with a highly trained dog would show a few commands, and the dog would perform perfectly. They’d say, 'And that's how it's done.' It left me feeling frustrated because I thought, 'Sure, that expert can do it, but what about the day-to-day challenges?'"

Scott's frustration led him to try the free Cornerstone Gundog Academy preview, where he saw real training scenarios. "The preview showed Josh and Violet going through some struggles, not just the good parts," Scott said. "I thought, 'This is it. This isn't just a step-by-step guide—it's authentic.'"

Through CGA, Scott discovered the second key to successful retriever training.

2. You Need a Community

"Now that we’ve been a part of CGA, the community is probably my favorite part. I was initially drawn to it because of the authenticity—seeing how training sometimes doesn’t go as planned and how you have to adapt. But now, it's the community that keeps me engaged."

"Whenever we hit a stumbling block or face a challenge, it's refreshing to jump into the community and see others with similar issues. Everyone comes together to figure it out. Then, when you see a post from a member who overcame a struggle, like getting their dog to retrieve in water, it’s so rewarding. You can’t help but smile when you see everything come together."

Scott emphasizes that the community aspect is what made him fall in love with CGA and why he recommends it even to those who just want a well-behaved dog, not necessarily a hunting partner.

Your Path to Training an Amazing Retriever

Training your retriever to be both a hunting and family companion is possible with the right plan and a supportive community. You don’t have to do it alone.

To see a free preview of the course Scott used, the Complete Retriever, click [here].

Follow Scott Marquis and Lottie Mae's journey on Instagram.