Chris Akin, founder of Webb Footed Kennels, has trained more than 3,000 dogs and his program has produced over 350 Hunting Retriever Champions, 175 Master Hunters, and 35 Grand Hunting Retriever Champions. Chris Akin – Webb Footed Kennels – The Hunting Dog Podcast

This career total underpins a training philosophy built around practical, field-ready dogs and a breeding program aimed at healthy, biddable Labradors.

In an interview, Akin traced his methods to long days in the marshes and a focus on incremental progress. As migrating mallards circled the cypress in the thick fog, he described training as a series of small, timed decisions rather than rote repetition. Akin’s success is greatly influenced by key factors such as the dogs’ trainability and emotional stability, which allows for a more effective training process. [PDF] Dog and Owner Characteristics Predict Training Success

Webb Footed Kennels operates near Jonesboro, Arkansas, where Akin develops dogs that perform both on hunts and in formal test settings. He favors what he calls a measured approach: build confidence first, then layer pressure and skills so a dog retains enthusiasm for hunting across its life. He emphasizes that a well-socialized puppy with low aggression is much easier to train as it matures.

“People often think they need to drill obedience from day one, but a well-socialized, confident puppy is much easier to train later on,” Akin said, summing up his early-stage priorities. He added practical advice for handlers facing stalled progress: “You can’t rush a dog past their comfort level. If they’re nervous, ease them back, give them time, and celebrate the small wins.” Those small wins align with effective home training techniques that advocate consistent positive reinforcement, which is essential for building reliable skills in any retriever. Obedience drills for retrievers – Otter Tail Kennels

Akin’s program places equal weight on breeding choices and on-the-water training. He works to produce Labradors with the energy to work hard and the temperament to stay calm under pressure, while also campaigning young field-bred golden retrievers from his kennels in real hunting conditions to keep handling crisp and relevant. This dual approach also aims to mitigate common health issues faced by Labradors, including hip and elbow dysplasia, by adhering to responsible breeding practices that incorporate health screenings.

Across decades of hands-on work, Akin has emphasized timing as central to a retriever’s education. In longer conversations he has broken down how a handler’s cueing, the dog’s anticipation, and the environmental context must align for reliable marks and steady handling; listeners can hear an extended discussion on those points on The Hunting Dog Podcast.

For Akin, the goal is a dog that welcomes the work. “You want that dog to see hunting as a game they can’t wait to play. That’s the best way to ensure they’ll keep a passion for hunting throughout life,” he said. That attitude informs both daily lesson plans and broader breeding decisions at Webb Footed Kennels, reinforcing the importance of fostering a trainable, enthusiastic temperament.

As a trainer who has placed thousands of dogs in the field, Akin frames his success not as a product of flashy techniques but of consistency: steady exposures, careful timing, and rewards that preserve the dog’s desire to retrieve. His approach aims to produce dogs that are at once testable in hunt formats and durable partners on real hunts. Regular practices of retrieves and steadiness serve as foundational skills for aspiring handlers.

An interview on The Hunting Dog Podcast adds detail to a long public record of Akin’s work and priorities, showing how he has translated decades of hunting and handling into a program that emphasizes temperament, health, and practical performance.

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Original reporting: view the original article.