The “Quiet Hour” – Why the Best Handlers Spend Time Just Sitting with Their Dog
Hello retriever enthusiasts,
The most respected trainers in our sport—Rex Carr, Mike Lardy, Dave and Ty Rorem, Pat Burns, Kenny Trott, and Alan Pleasant—have consistently emphasized one practice that is rarely highlighted in public discussions: spending unstructured, pressure-free time simply sitting with the dog.
Rex Carr stressed the importance of calm presence after sessions in his writings and teaching. Mike Lardy has spoken of the value of allowing the dog to process and recharge in quiet moments. Dave and Ty Rorem have built their programs around the principle that the relationship precedes the retrieve. Pat Burns often let his dogs rest beside him in the blind, absorbing the calm. Kenny Trott underscored that trust is built in the absence of constant demands. Alan Pleasant repeatedly noted that the dog must view the handler as a safe, steady presence, not merely a source of commands or pressure.
This practice—often called the “Quiet Hour”—is intentional time together with no drills, no birds, no expectations. It is not inactivity. It is investment.
Why the Quiet Hour Matters
The partnership between handler and dog is not forged exclusively in the field or during structured training. It is deepened in moments when nothing is required. During these quiet periods:
The dog learns to read subtle handler signals—breath rate, posture, eye contact—without the overlay of commands or correction.
The handler learns to read the dog—ear position, tail carriage, breathing, eye focus—gaining insight into confidence, fatigue, or uncertainty that drills alone cannot reveal.
Trust is reinforced. The dog begins to see the handler as a calm, predictable constant, not just a source of direction or reward.
Mental recovery takes place. High-drive dogs recharge emotionally; lower-drive dogs gain security and reduce anxiety about future demands.
Without this time, even the most capable dog can become mechanical—performing out of habit rather than genuine partnership. The handler misses the small cues that predict problems before they appear in competition.
How to Make the Quiet Hour Effective
There is no rigid protocol, but the following principles have proven consistent across the best-documented training approaches:
Choose the right setting — A quiet location away from distractions: the truck tailgate, a bench at the training field, or a calm corner of the yard.
Remove all demands — No whistle, no commands, no treats in hand. Simply sit or stand together. Allow the dog to choose to lie close or rest against you.
Observe without reacting — Watch how the dog settles. Note breathing rate, eye contact, body relaxation. These are the same signals that appear at the line during a test.
Be fully present — Eliminate distractions such as phones. Focus on the dog. The dog senses the difference between distracted presence and genuine attention.
Frequency — Aim for 10–20 minutes daily, ideally after training or at the end of the day. Make it part of the routine, not an occasional afterthought.
Field Transfer
The Quiet Hour creates a dog that remains steady not out of fear of correction, but from deep trust in the handler. In high-stakes moments—when birds are flying, judges are watching, and pressure is real—the dog turns to the handler with confidence rather than uncertainty. The bond carries through the test. The dog stays composed because he knows the handler is his calm center.
This is not sentiment. It is practical. The most effective handlers understand that the retrieve begins long before the bird is in the air. It begins in the quiet moments when nothing is asked, and everything is understood.
If you already practice unstructured time with your dog, how has it affected his performance under pressure? Share your observations in the comments or on Instagram (@flyinghighretrievers). We all learn from each other’s experience.
Here is to building the bond that endures,
Ryan Fisher
Owner & Lead Trainer
Flying High Retrievers
Long Island, New York
