Jennifer Henion and Dave Bavero discuss the future of US retriever sport models.

Can the British and European "Working Test" model, give us a more fun, kind and accessible way to compete with our dogs? At all levels?

My guest is Dave Bavero of Waterstone Labradors in Texas. He just got back from Italy, where he served as a judge for a multi-level working test there. It was his 3rd time judging tests in Italy and he shares what these tests are like and how this model of the sport can be much more fun and efficient than US hunt tests or trials.

Dave also goes to Ireland and England to participate. We discuss how AKC Hunt Tests compare to the overseas model. In short, Working Tests give your dog more retrieves , more time in the field, a better atmosphere of enjoyment and fewer harsh words. And although everyone gets to finish all four parts of a Working Test, points are assigned to each retrieve, giving the top three point earners a placement of honor.

The future of retriever sports is looking brighter.

Check out the links below:

Italian Working Test Rules: https://retriever-sport.cz/?page_id=650

UK Royal Kennel Club Working Test rules [start at page 33]: https://www.royalkennelclub.com/media/colko3re/j-regs-mini-guide-2026-final-screen.pdf

International Working Test - European Championship: https://www.retrieverchampionship.eu/international-working-test/about-iwt/

This week on Retrievolution, we're talking with dog fitness expert, Kelly Daniel, who also knows the physical demands of gundog and retriever sports.

Kelly has a super interesting career in dogs, sports and science. Her passion and expertise is creating sports specific exercise programs for working & sporting dogs.

In our talk, Kelly helps Eve and I add fitness to the routine of getting a dog from the car crate to the performance line. Just 3 easy things transform a walk from the car to the line, into a brilliant fitness warm-up.

Plus, we get a great tip on what to do in the holding blind.

Kelly is super fun to talk with and a fountain of relevant knowledge on all things fitness - making it easy to fit into your current life and sport training.

Want to know more?

• Kelly is presenting a webinar with live Q&A Thursday, Jan 8 at 3pm Pacific Time. Here is the link to sign up : Ready for the Whistle: Fitness for Gun Dog Sports: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/self-study/webinars
• She owns a business called Hybrid Dog Training & Rehabilitation. Here's her website: https://www.hybriddogtraining.com

Marking is the art of retrieving.

Eve and I discuss what it takes to get good at marking. Plus we explore the challenges of marking along with some questions we got from listeners.

A dog's marking skills are the culmination of 3 main ingredients: The instincts they're born with, the teaching or training we give them, and the experience and practice they get.

Even if your dog is lacking in one of these areas, the other two ingredients can help compensate for that.

In this episode, we have lots of fun stories and a rich discussion about all things Marking! We hope you enjoy!