Build From Here

Latest Episodes:

You Don’t Need a Puppy to Start Over | Tom Sallows Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

Tom Sallows grew up hunting in northern Alberta and trained his first retriever at just 12 years old. Years later, he found himself struggling with an older dog that had lost interest in bumpers. In this episode, Tom shares how patience, shorter sessions, positive reinforcement, and learning to train the dog in front of him helped rebuild his dog's love for retrieving—and made Tom a better trainer along the way.

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence?

Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy

Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more?

Visit: Retriever Training Supply

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Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

Learn more about Tom's Big Game Outfit: https://www.mountainmanadventures.com/

Watch a Documentary About Tom's Passion For Guiding:

https://youtu.be/E1zSWH_IjpM?is=vPXdk9cC3sZdT1GB

Why You Shouldn’t Train Your Retriever Alone | Ted Turner Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Build From Here, Josh sits down with Ted Turner to hear more about his journey with retrievers and the work he is doing through the Augusta CGA Chapter. Ted shares what he has learned from training alongside other dogs and handlers, hosting their first chapter event, and creating opportunities for members to connect, share, and grow together. It is a great conversation about community, leadership, and why none of us have to build a retriever alone.

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence?

Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy

Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more?

Visit: Retriever Training Supply

Interested in sponsoring the BuildFromHere Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

When Water, Birds, and Gunfire Go Wrong | Brandon Balabus Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

What happens when the three things every duck dog owner worries about most all seem to go wrong?

In this episode, Josh sits down with CGA member Brandon to talk through Luna’s training journey—from a surprise fireworks scare, to a bad pool experience, to chicken chaos in the backyard. At several points, Brandon wondered if he had ruined his future duck dog before she ever made it to the blind.

But instead of panicking, forcing the issue, or trying to fix everything overnight, Brandon kept following the process, building trust, and learning how to train the dog in front of him.

This is an encouraging conversation for anyone who has ever had something go wrong in puppy training and wondered, “Did I mess this up?” Luna’s story is a reminder that one bad moment doesn’t have to define your dog’s future.

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence?

Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy

Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more?

Visit: Retriever Training Supply

Interested in sponsoring the BuildFromHere Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

Focus on The Wins | Adam Goza Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Training a retriever is full of challenges, but Adam Goza’s story is proof that one small win can change everything. In this episode, we talk Chessies, breakthrough moments, Member Weekend, and learning to build confidence one step at a time.

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence?

Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy

Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more?

Visit: Retriever Training Supply

Interested in sponsoring the BuildFromHere Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

From Train Wreck to 173 Retrieves: Kevin & Mabel’s Journey | Kevin Wright Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we talk about Mabel’s second full hunting season, her 173 retrieves, the lessons Kevin learned as a handler, the breakthrough moments on blinds, river retrieves, zombie geese, and why training with a community can change everything.

This is a great episode for anyone who has ever wondered, “Is my dog going to turn out?” Because sometimes the dogs that struggle early become the ones with the best stories.

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence?

Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy

Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more?

Visit: Retriever Training Supply

Interested in sponsoring the BuildFromHere Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

From ‘This Dog Won’t Make It’ to 1,000 Retrieves | Michael & Marley May 01, 2026

Show notes

He almost gave up on his dog…
Now they’ve crossed 1,000 retrieves together.

This is the story of what can happen when you stick with it—even when it’s not going how you planned.

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence?

Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy

Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more?

Visit: Retriever Training Supply

Interested in sponsoring the BuildFromHere Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

From Gun Shy to Gun Dog… He Almost Made the Same Mistake Again | Terrance's Story Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Terrance didn’t start with success.

In fact, his first dog ended up gun shy—and he thought he might make the same mistakes again.

But this time was different.

In this episode of the Build From Here podcast, Terrance shares how he went from uncertainty and self-doubt to training a dog that’s already exceeding his expectations. From struggling through early training “dips” to experiencing the moment everything clicked, this is a story about what happens when you stick with the process.

You’ll hear:

What went wrong with his first dog (and what he’d do differently)
The biggest challenges he faced early in training
How the right system and community changed everything
The moment he knew his dog was going to make it
Why “don’t give up” is more than just a cliché

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing it right—or felt like your dog just might not turn out—this episode is for you.

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence?

Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy

Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more?

Visit: Retriever Training Supply

Interested in sponsoring the BuildFromHere Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

When Training Goes Wrong- Gun Shy Scare | Jason Albano’s Story Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Jason didn’t grow up hunting. He didn’t grow up training dogs either.

Like a lot of people, he started with YouTube, piecing things together and hoping it would work. At first, it felt like progress… until one moment in the field changed everything.

After a bad experience with gunfire, Jason was convinced he had ruined his dog.

In this episode, he shares how he worked through that setback, what he did differently the second time around, and how stepping back and following a clear process helped rebuild both his dog’s confidence—and his own.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late, or if you’ve made mistakes with your dog… this story will hit home.

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence?

Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy

Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more?

Visit: Retriever Training Supply

Interested in sponsoring the BuildFromHere Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

How Building a Retriever Helped Matt Rebuild His Life Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Matt didn’t set out to rebuild his life.

He just wanted a dog.

But somewhere between early morning training sessions, setbacks, and small wins… everything started to change.

In this episode, Matt shares how training his golden retriever, Chief, became more than just a hobby—it became a turning point. From battling addiction and rebuilding relationships to finding purpose and stepping into a new life, this is a story about what’s possible when you commit to the process.

It’s not just about building a retriever that works.

It’s about what happens when the process starts working on you.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can really train your own dog—or whether it’s too late to start—this episode will remind you what’s possible.

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence?

Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy

Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more?

Visit: Retriever Training Supply

Interested in sponsoring the BuildFromHere Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.

Trust the Process: From Frustration to the Dog He Can Trust Anywhere | Chris Copeland Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Training a retriever can feel overwhelming at times.

You start with big hopes for your dog… but along the way, frustration, doubt, and mistakes are almost guaranteed.

On this episode of the Build From Here Podcast, Josh sits down with CGA member Chris Copeland, whose journey with retrievers has been full of lessons, growth, and eventually — success.

Chris shares how early trial-and-error training left him frustrated, what changed when he discovered a step-by-step approach to building a retriever, and how patience and mindset ultimately helped him develop a dog he can trust anywhere.

More than anything, Chris’ story is a reminder that great dogs aren’t built overnight — they’re built through consistent effort, learning from mistakes, and staying committed to the process.

If you’re wondering whether your dog will turn out…

This episode is for you.

Want to learn how to train your hunting dog with confidence?

Visit: Cornerstone Gundog Academy

Need gear for training your retriever, like collars, dog training dummies, and more?

Visit: Retriever Training Supply

Interested in sponsoring the BuildFromHere Podcast?

Fill out this form and tell us more about promoting your product, service, or brand.