Building Better Gun Dogs with Seth Fontenot

June 7, 2026

Training, Hunt Tests & Retriever Development

When it comes to developing reliable hunting dogs, there are no shortcuts. Great retrievers aren't built overnight—they're shaped through years of consistent training, countless retrieves, and handlers committed to learning alongside their dogs.

In this episode of Dog Driven, I sat down with Seth Fontenot, a retriever trainer with over 12 years of experience in the gun dog world. After beginning his training journey more than a decade ago, Seth transitioned to training full-time in 2019 and has dedicated himself to producing capable hunting companions and helping handlers develop stronger relationships with their dogs.

In addition to his work training retrievers, Seth is heavily involved with Hunt Retriever Club (HRC) events, giving him a unique perspective on both hunting dogs and the testing environments designed to evaluate and improve them.

A Lifetime of Learning Through Dogs

One of the most interesting parts of this conversation was hearing how Seth's training philosophy has evolved over the years.

Like many trainers, experience has taught him that every dog is different. While fundamentals remain the foundation of success, understanding the dog in front of you—and adapting your approach when necessary—is what separates good trainers from great ones.

We discussed how retriever training is often as much about developing the handler as it is developing the dog. Success comes from consistency, patience, and a willingness to learn from mistakes along the way.

What Hunt Tests Really Teach Us

For many handlers, hunt tests are seen as a way to earn titles or measure progress. Seth shared why he believes they offer much more than that.

HRC hunt tests provide an opportunity to expose dogs and handlers to new environments, challenges, and expectations. They test steadiness, marking ability, obedience, teamwork, and the skills necessary to perform under pressure.

More importantly, they help handlers identify weaknesses before those weaknesses show up in the field.

Whether you're preparing for your first Started test or working toward finished-level performance, Seth explains how hunt tests can be valuable tools for building a better hunting dog.

Common Mistakes Handlers Make

Throughout the episode, Seth shares lessons learned from years of working with retrievers and handlers.

Some of the most common mistakes include:

Moving too quickly through training progression
Neglecting foundational obedience
Inconsistent standards
Focusing on advanced concepts before mastering basics
Expecting perfection too soon

The recurring theme throughout our conversation was simple: fundamentals matter.

Strong foundations create confident dogs and confident handlers.

What Makes a Great Gun Dog?

Many dogs can retrieve birds.

Far fewer can remain steady under excitement, handle pressure, maintain focus in challenging environments, and consistently perform when it matters most.

Seth discusses the qualities he believes separate good retrievers from exceptional ones, including trainability, resilience, consistency, and the ability to work as a true partner with their handler.

These are traits that cannot be built in a weekend—they are developed through repetition, experience, and thoughtful training.

Final Thoughts

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that successful dog training is rarely about finding the newest technique or shortcut.

It's about understanding the dog, maintaining standards, and showing up day after day to do the work.

Whether you're training your first retriever, preparing for hunt tests, or simply looking to become a better handler, Seth's insights offer valuable lessons that apply far beyond the retriever world.

Be sure to listen to the full episode of Dog Driven to hear Seth's journey, his approach to training, and the lessons he's learned from more than a decade behind the whistle.