EP #106 Could retriever sports be more welcoming to everyday handlers without losing the challenge? Kenneth Witt talks with Dave Bavero and Jennifer Henion about bringing a UK- and Europe-inspired working test format to the U.S.—a flexible, approachable alternative to traditional hunt tests and field trials.
They explain what working tests involve, how they reward skills like steadiness, marking, handling, and searching, and why simpler setups could make events easier for amateur handlers to enter and run. Dave shares lessons from judging tests in Europe, while Jennifer brings her perspective from 15 years in retriever sports and positive-reinforcement training.
The conversation explores why some handlers feel shut out by increasingly technical tests, and how a more relaxed, practical format could bring more people into the sport. A good listen for retriever owners, hunters, amateur trainers, and anyone who wants competition to feel more like a partnership with their dog.
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