The Amateur Retriever Academy APP!
Stop Guessing. Start Training. The 38-Year System to Help Your Retriever Succeed.
About Us
Helping solo amateur retriever owners train their dogs to succeed at the retriever hunt test game.
5 day free trail. After that, keep the pro in your pocket for just $6.99/month
Gallery
Snapshots showcasing the app’s key features
Quick Answers
How do I install?
Simply visit your app store, search for the app, and tap install.
Is it free?
Free for 5 days to try and explore. After that, keep the pro in your pocket for just $6.99/month
Which devices work?
Both Apple and Android
Will it work on my Junior dog?
This app is for all levels: Junior, Senior, Master. Track your dogs training sessions, rate how they did, download a pdf to see their progress, get advice out in the field when you are training with Ask Rex. Step by step Basic, Intermediate, Advanced training topics.
Is my data safe?
Absolutely, we use encryption to keep your information secure at all times.
Features of the app
Log Sessions: Turn Every Training Session Into Progress You Can See!
Stop guessing. Start tracking.
With the Training Log, every session becomes a building block toward your dog’s success. Simply select your dog, log the type of work—marks, blinds, or drills—and rate the session with an easy 1–5 star system. But this isn’t just a log… it’s your training journal.
Capture the details that matter:
What clicked today
Where things broke down
Small issues before they become big problems
Exactly what to focus on next time
Over time, patterns start to reveal themselves. Progress becomes measurable. Decisions become clearer.
Train as often as you want and log every session—because consistency is where great dogs are made.
When you’re ready, generate clean, professional PDF reports to review your progress weekly, monthly, or over the entire season. Perfect for staying accountable, planning ahead, or even sharing with training partners.
Train with purpose. Track with precision. Build better dogs.
Hunt Test Paths: From Junior to Master—Know Exactly What It Takes
Whether you’re just getting started or chasing that Master title, the path forward is finally clear.
Inside the app, each hunt test level—Junior, Senior, and Master—is broken down into a complete training roadmap. No more guessing what judges are looking for or wondering if you’re truly ready.
Step into each level and discover:
What the test actually demands in the field
How to train with purpose for that specific stake
Proven drills designed to build the exact skills you need
In-depth videos that walk you through real preparation
This isn’t just information—it’s direction.
New to hunt tests? You’ll finally understand how the game works and where to start.
Already running dogs? You’ll sharpen your approach and train with more precision at every level.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the jump from Junior to Senior… or Senior to Master… you’ll know exactly how to bridge the gap.
Clarity creates confidence. Confidence builds better dogs.
Meet “Ask Rex” — Your Pro Trainer in Your Pocket
This is the game changer.
No more second-guessing. No more waiting until you get home to figure things out.
When something breaks down in the field—your dog struggles on a mark, blows off a blind, or just isn’t understanding the concept—you don’t have to guess why…
You just ask Rex. Instantly.
“Ask Rex” gives you real-time, professional-level guidance right when you need it most—during the training session. Not later. Not after the fact.
Get clear, actionable answers:
Why your dog is struggling
What mistake is actually happening (not just the symptom)
How to fix it immediately
What to adjust in your next setup
It’s like having an experienced pro standing right beside you, helping you make the right call in the moment.
Because the truth is… timing matters in dog training. The faster you understand the problem, the faster you fix it—and the less confusion your dog carries forward.
Train smarter. Fix problems faster. Never feel stuck in the field again.
Master the Core Principles That Build Great Dogs
No matter where you want to go—hunt tests, field trials, or simply a better-trained retriever—it all comes down to one thing:
Doing the fundamentals the right way.
The Training Core Principles section gives you a clear, structured system built around how dogs actually learn. Everything is broken down into three progressive stages:
Basics. Intermediate. Advanced.
Each level builds on the last, guiding you step-by-step so you’re never guessing what to do next—or why you’re doing it.
Inside, you’ll find:
Clear training flowcharts that map out your next move
A proven roadmap to keep your dog progressing with purpose
Step-by-step guidance to avoid common training mistakes
In-depth videos that show exactly how to teach each concept
This isn’t random information—it’s a complete training system.
Whether you’re starting a young dog or refining an experienced one, you’ll have the structure and direction to train with confidence… and the understanding to do it right the first time.
Build the foundation right—and everything else gets easier.
Know the Rules - Train with Confidence
Inside the app is the pdf of the rules and regulations.No more guessing what judges are looking for.
Inside the app, you’ll have direct access to the official AKC Rules & Regulations—fully embedded and always at your fingertips. Whether you’re new to hunt tests or looking to sharpen your understanding, this is your go-to reference in the field or at home.
Dig in and discover:
Exactly what’s expected at each level
How dogs are evaluated and scored
The standards judges are using—so you can train accordingly
This isn’t just a rulebook—it’s clarity.
When you understand the rules, your training becomes more focused, your setups more intentional, and your expectations more realistic.
No confusion. No surprises on test day.
Study the standard. Train to meet it. Show up prepared.
See the Setup - Train with Precision
This is one of the most powerful tools in the entire app.
The Map Feature lets you build your training setups exactly as they exist in the field—using a real satellite, top-down view. No more guessing distances. No more trying to remember how a setup was laid out.
Now you can see it. Drop in key elements with ease:
Your starting line
Marks in the field
Blinds
Flyer stations
Instantly, your entire setup comes to life—clearly showing distances in yards from the line to every retrieve.
This changes everything.
You can design smarter setups, review past training sessions, and make precise adjustments that actually move the needle. It also gives you a visual record you can revisit anytime or share with others.
Because great training isn’t random—it’s intentional. Take a screenshot of it and post it on your social channels.
Build better setups. Measure what matters. Train like a pro.
Learn From the Community. Train Together. Get Better Faster.
You’re not in this alone.
The Community Tips feature brings together real insights from real trainers—people in the field, working through the same challenges, and finding what actually works.
Inside, you can:
Discover proven tips from other handlers
Learn different approaches to common training problems
Share what’s working with your own dog
Help others while sharpening your own understanding
Because sometimes the best breakthroughs don’t come from a manual… they come from experience.
This feature creates a true training community—where knowledge is shared, ideas are tested, and everyone gets better together.
Different dogs. Different paths. One community pushing forward.
38 Years - Countless Champions and One Mission
I’ve spent nearly four decades in the field, training, competing, and judging.
I’ve seen what works, what doesn't, and why amateurs often struggle, especially in the hunt test game.
I built this Academy to pass that knowledge directly to you.
My mission is to give every handler the tools, the confidence, and the proven system to help their retriever reach its full potential."
From one amateur to another.
— Mike Heard, Founder
Amateurs helping amateurs train better so
you can train like an amateur
but think like a pro
Amy K
★★★★★
Get in touch
Questions or feedback? Reach out anytime, we're here to listen and help.
Call
406.490.6298
wxmheard@gmail.com
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