It's all won and lost in the 5 foot circle
"It’s all won and lost in the five-foot circle” is something I was told almost forty years ago, and it still rings true today. The...
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Training field trial and hunt test retrievers to elevate their performance
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Pat
- Aug 9
- 5 min
THE CHILL of the WHISTLE
Why do I call it “The Chill of the Whistle”? A firm blast from the whistle is the equivalent of a harsh “NO”
Pat
- Jul 10
- 5 min
It's All About Bird Placement
Let's talk about the art of bird placement and why it is so crucial.
Pat
- Jun 13
- 5 min
Water Tune-Up Drills: An Annual Tradition
Water Tune Up is a must do for any advanced retriever training program
Pat
- May 16
- 7 min
Breaking down a blind retrieve
Picture this… You’ve just walked up to watch test dog in the Amateur. This is the first time you have made it to the water blind in a...
Pat
- Apr 16
- 4 min
Test Theming: The Power of Repetition
“Test Theming” The Power of Repetition As a professional retriever trainer with over 40 years of experience, I always emphasize the...
Pat
- Mar 7
- 4 min
KEEPING SWIM-BY ALIVE
Hi everyone! I am still on a high from last weeks “Retrieving For Love” Seminar that I helped with in Giddings, Texas. After spending 3...
Pat
- Feb 8
- 5 min
Land Tune-Up Drill: The Ultimate Guide for Retriever Training Enthusiasts
Hi everyone, If you're passionate about retriever training, then you know that the success of any training program is all about...
Pat
- Jan 13
- 9 min
Preparing for A National
I wrote this article based on the outline for a presentation I gave at Auburn University during a Sports Medicine Symposium. The piece is...
Pat
- Nov 26, 2022
- 3 min
What to do in the "off season"? Off-Season Training Tips
Hello everyone!! I hope you are having an awesome weekend. For those of us here in the US, I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving. This...
Pat
- Oct 24, 2022
- 3 min
Dealing with setbacks
I want to share with you a very important concept that I believe is an essential part of your dog’s early development. When you are in...
Pat
- Aug 26, 2022
- 2 min
Bombproof Basics - How It All Began
Perfected over the last 40 years, I'm excited to announce that I will be launching a digital course on "Bombproof Basics" later this fall!
Pat
- Aug 4, 2022
- 3 min
Guest Blog Post - Pat Nolan on Training Retriever Puppies
Guest Blog Post - Pat Nolan discusses why we MUST teach our puppies to have good working memory, mental flexibility & self control!
Pat
- Jul 27, 2022
- 3 min
"Red Zone" Handling on Blinds
Let's discuss the "Red Zone" - that critical area at the end of a blind retrieve where you risk loosing sight or control of your dog.
Pat
- Jun 30, 2022
- 1 min
Retriever Whistle Mechanics 101
Learning the proper mechanics to blowing a whistle is critical. Check out this video to see how I blow a sharp, explosive whistle blast!
Pat
- Jun 7, 2022
- 4 min
Master Hunter to Qualified All-Age: Part 3
“Your dog is only going to be as good as you are.” I've written several tips that will make both your training & trialing more successful.
Pat
- May 31, 2022
- 4 min
Master Hunter to Qualified All-Age - Part 2
The jump from MH to QAA seems daunting but it doesn't have to be! Let's discuss developing the blind skills needed to enter your first Q!
Pat
- May 23, 2022
- 6 min
From Master Hunter to Qualified All-Age
The jump from MH to QAA seems daunting but it doesn't have to be! Let's discuss developing the marking skills needed to enter your first Q!
Pat
- Apr 10, 2022
- 3 min
Guest Blog Post: Q&A with Danny Farmer
Guest Blog Post: Danny Farmer received and answered some follow-up questions following his webinar, Game Day Handling Strategies.
Pat
- Mar 20, 2022
- 3 min
Guest Blog Post: Q&A with Mike Lardy
Guest Blog Post: Mike Lardy received and answered some follow-up questions following his webinar, Teaching Advanced Marking Concepts.
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