What does it really take for an amateur handler to pass the HRC Grand?
In this episode, Chris and Elliott sit down with Luke Donofrio, an Army veteran and amateur handler who recently earned his first Grand pass with his dog Cash. Luke shares his journey from buying a dog to hunt over to competing at the highest level of the HRC game.
The conversation covers Grand preparation, the importance of solid fundamentals, pre-training with large groups, common mistakes amateur handlers make, and what it felt like to finally get the job done after coming up short in previous attempts.
Chris also recaps one of the toughest Grands he has ever attended, discussing difficult test setups, challenging cover conditions, and the lessons learned from a demanding three weeks on the road.
Whether you're chasing your first Finished title or dreaming of running the Grand someday, this episode offers an inside look at the process from both a professional trainer's and an amateur handler's perspective.
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