Pat Burns Elite Retriever Training

03/03/2025

Merlin’s morning yard work

01/03/2025

Maybe working on swing by 🤣🤣🤣🤣

01/03/2025

🚨 It’s been a while, and I’m super excited to reconnect with all of you! 🚨

Join me for a Happy Hour Huddle on Tuesday March 4 at 7:00 PM ET where I’ll be talking about preparing your dog for basics! 🐾

I’ll dive into early obedience, marking, and how to set up a puppy to succeed in a basics program. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your training, this session will give you valuable tips to help your dog excel.

I’ll be streaming LIVE right here on the Elite Retriever page

Grab a drink, come with your questions, and let’s have a great time chatting about setting your dog up for success! Can’t wait to see you all there! 🎉

Cheers,
Pat Burns

27/02/2025

Merlin and Pat working on pile work. let’s see if today goes better than yesterday’s session 🙏🤞🤣.

26/02/2025

Early morning drill work with Merlin. A day in a life of a dog trainer. 

23/02/2025

🎯 3 Surprising Takeaways from the Purina Masterclass on Health Clearances!

1️⃣ Not All Health Clearances Are Equal – Some tests are must-haves, while others depend on your breed and goals. Knowing the real deal-breakers can save you time, money, and heartache.

2️⃣ A “Healthy-Looking” Dog Can Still Have Hidden Issues – Hip dysplasia, heart disease, and eye conditions often show no early symptoms. Screenings give you the full picture before problems arise.

3️⃣ Health Clearances Aren’t Just for Breeders – Whether you compete, hunt, or just want your dog to live their best life, these tests help you make informed decisions for their future.

📺 Missed the Masterclass? Replay link in the comments

Send a message to learn more

17/02/2025

Your Dog’s Health is in YOUR Hands!

Not all health clearances are created equal—some are non-negotiable when it comes to your dog’s long-term well-being. Hips, elbows, heart, eyes, genetic testing—knowing the deal-breakers could save you from heartbreak down the road.

If you missed our Purina Masterclass: Health Clearances Decoded, now’s your chance to catch up! Dr. Sarah Shull, DVM, CCRT, DACVSMR and I broke it all down, and trust me—you’ll want to take notes.

🎥 Watch the replay here:

https://youtu.be/v7v-Y3P5Vko?si=Lpf6oS2n1czEFm7b

Drop a 🐾 in the comments if you’re watching! 👇

Health Clearances Decoded: What You Need to Know Understanding Your Dog’s Health Starts Here Discover the critical health screenings that matter most for you...

14/02/2025

👀 Ever wonder how to really boost your retriever's confidence? Check out my latest blog post: "The Fastest Way to Ruin a Retriever’s Confidence"! Discover what not to do to maintain their self-assurance! 🐾 Read more: https://wix.to/3BmdeNU

There’s something worse than a dog that cheats a factor.

11/02/2025

"The best retrievers aren’t the ones that never make mistakes. They’re the ones that learn how to recover from them."

We spend so much time trying to eliminate every error in training, but the truth is, the dogs that succeed at the highest level aren’t perfect—they’re resilient. The goal isn’t to prevent every mistake; it’s to teach your dog how to problem-solve and adjust when things don’t go as planned. That’s the difference between a dog that falls apart under pressure and one that thrives in the chaos of a tough mark.

Have you ever had a moment where your dog surprised you with their ability to bounce back? Drop a comment below and share your story—I’d love to hear about it! 👇

08/02/2025

The Biggest Mistake in Training….

Thinking Perfection is the Goal.
It’s not.

Resilience is.

There’s something worse than a dog that cheats a factor—a dog that’s afraid to try.
I’ve seen it too many times: a handler corrects what they think is cheating, when in reality, the dog is just problem-solving. The result? A confident retriever slowly turns hesitant. A dog that once attacked every mark starts second-guessing every step.
💡 Cheating vs. Negotiating—Know the Difference:
✅ Cheating = Avoidance (skipping water, running around obstacles).
✅ Negotiating = Problem-solving (adjusting slightly, but still honoring the factor).
Overcorrecting a dog for negotiating doesn’t create precision—it creates doubt. And a dog that doubts itself is a dog that hesitates, slows down, and loses trust in its own instincts.
🔥 A dog that never struggles in training will never shine in competition.
Because confidence isn’t built through perfection—it’s built through overcoming failure.
Know the difference. Train accordingly. Build a retriever that thinks.

Drop a comment below- I’d love to hear your thoughts

31/01/2025

Master Your Blinds with the Pre-Snap Checklist 🏆🐾

Ever feel like you’re hoping your dog makes it to the blind rather than knowing they will?

That stops here.

This month inside The Retriever Revolution, we’re breaking down the Pre-Snap Checklist for Blinds—the exact process top handlers use to set their dogs up for success before they ever leave the mat.

📽 Watch the full breakdown here: https://app.membership.io/watch/ONAeYXnJNZ

In this video, I walk you through a real-world land blind scenario where:
✅ The wind shifts mid-test—here’s how to handle it
✅ The blind planter leaves a scent trail—your dog will notice it. Do you know what to do?
✅ The "red zone" vs. "death zone"—where you finish can make or break your run

This is the kind of in-depth breakdown that makes all the difference when it’s your turn to run. And it’s just a glimpse of what we’re working on inside The Retriever Revolution this month

This week's focus is on mastering a land blind with a pre-snap checklist, specifically addressing a land blind poison bird scenario. Key elements include understanding wind direction, analyzing terrain, and reviewing the blind's layout. Observing the test dog's run provides insights into handling an...

30/01/2025

Your journey with your dog isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up and making progress.

Every training session matters, even the tough ones. When you focus on building trust, clarity, and consistency, everything starts to come together:
• Breakthroughs happen in areas you thought were stuck.
• Training becomes more rewarding for both you and your dog.
• And when it’s time to compete, you step in with confidence, knowing you’ve put in the work.

That’s what it’s all about:
👉 Train for success. Compete with confidence.

I want to hear from you—what’s one win (big or small) you’ve had recently in your training?
🎯 Drop a comment below and let’s celebrate your progress together

28/01/2025

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what makes training truly click.

It’s not just about the drills or the mechanics—though those are important. What really changes the game is when you and your dog truly understand each other.

When you build that connection, here’s what happens:
• Your dog responds to you with focus and enthusiasm.
• Training sessions become more rewarding—for both of you.
• You approach every session with confidence and purpose.

I’ve seen this happen so many times. Trainers who felt stuck, questioning their progress, start to make real breakthroughs when they focus more on building a true partnership.

Send a message to learn more

26/01/2025

🚀 Mastering the Big Three: Go, Stop, and Come!

Want to know the secret to a sharp, disciplined, and reliable retriever?

It’s all about mastering the Big Three: GO, STOP, and COME. These are the bedrock skills every dog needs to succeed in the field—and the key to achieving them is Pile Work!

This visual guide breaks down the Pile Work sequence step by step, showing how it reinforces the "Back" command, sharpens the whistle stop, and builds a disciplined Come-In Whistle response. 🐾 Whether you're working with a young pup or tuning up a seasoned pro, this drill is an absolute must.

💡 Why Pile Work?

Establishes the "Back" command with precision.
Builds sharp whistle stops and sits for instant responsiveness.
Strengthens Come-In Whistle reliability for long distances.
Prepares your dog for advanced fieldwork challenges.
This isn’t just theory—it’s a cornerstone of what we teach in the Retriever Revolution membership. Over the months, we’ve focused on pile work and other drills to help trainers build strong, consistent partnerships with their retriever

18/01/2025

💥 Master the Power of “Go” and “Stop” in Retriever Training! 💥

🐾 Whether you’re just starting out or sharpening your skills for the next level, everything comes back to the basics. Two commands—Go (Back) and Stop (Sit)—can make or break your retriever’s success in the field.
But here’s the real question: Are your basics rock solid under pressure? 💡

In my latest video blog, I share: ✅ Why challenges in training are opportunities (not setbacks!)
✅ The difference between direct and indirect pressure—and how to use them
✅ How to test your dog’s readiness for advanced work by mastering these fundamentals
🎥 Watch the video now to discover how “Go” and “Stop” set the foundation for trust, communication, and success as a team.
https://www.eliteretrievers.com/post/mastering-the-fundamentals-in-retriever-training-the-power-of-go-and-stop
Let’s make this your best training season yet! 🏆
Cheers,
Pat Burns

A solid foundation isn’t just about ticking off milestones—it’s about preparation for the inevitable problems that arise down the road.

12/01/2025

. The Power of Off-Season Training

🐾 In training, the off-season isn’t a break—it’s your secret weapon. This is your time to reflect, reset, and retrain. Start with an honest evaluation: What went well? What needs work? Whether it’s tackling popping issues or refining those whistle stops, consistent offseason effort makes for a champion dog when the season kicks in. Don’t skip the basics—because that’s where greatness is built.

The key to a successful off-season is creating a specific and actionable plan. Start with a list of strengths and weaknesses from the previous year. Then, break it into small, achievable goals. For example, if your dog struggles with water entries, dedicate short, focused sessions on building confidence. Work on conviction drills to ensure they approach challenges with full commitment. Remember, small improvements compound over time. Use this period to revisit core skills like pile work, lining & casting drills to rebuild their foundation.
📌 Want to take your evaluation to the next level? Visit the www.eliteretrievers.com to get your Profile Analysis for Canine Athletes. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage for access.
🎥 Included below: A video on creating a training plan to maximize your off-season success from the Retriever Revolution. Watch now and set your team up for greatness!
https://app.membership.io/watch/pqz0jk1JDK

November's Retriever Revolution focuses on creating a comprehensive training plan for dogs, emphasizing the importance of clear training goals. The plan is structured into levels, starting with basics for entry-level dogs and advancing to more complex skills. Key evaluation areas include natural and...

08/01/2025

Are you paying attention to your dog's behavior?

04/01/2025

🐾 Struggling with training? Let’s fix that!

🎥 Check out this video to see how the Retriever Revolution OTA ( a 4 part training series)can help you:
✅ Solve common challenges
✅ Build trust with your dog
✅ Lay the foundation for your best season yet

It all kicks off January 9, and it’s 100% FREE!

👉 Sign up now: https://www.eliteretrievers.com/retrieverotafreetraining?utm_source=social&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=ota

Let’s do this together!