The Value of Solo Training Days: Why Training Alone Can Be One of Your Best Tools

Hello retriever enthusiasts,

Between work, family, and trying to get the dogs ready for the next test or trial, finding time to train can be tough. Some of my most productive sessions lately haven’t been at big group training days — they’ve been solo.

There’s real value in solo training days. They’ve become a key part of how I keep Apollo and Echo progressing, especially with limited time and grounds on Long Island.

Why Solo Training Days Matter

Solo days give you something group training often can’t: complete control and focus.

•  You can zero in on exactly what your dog needs that day without worrying about holding up the group or matching someone else’s schedule.

•  You can repeat a drill 8–10 times if needed, or scrap it and move on when you see it’s not clicking — no pressure to keep moving for the next dog.

•  It’s easier to work on handler-specific things like timing, body position, and whistle cadence without feeling self-conscious.

•  You can train at your own pace — early mornings before work, quick evening sessions, or adjusting on the fly when the weather changes.

I’ve found solo days especially useful after group sessions. If Apollo struggled with a particular cast or water entry during a big day, I can go back the next morning and address it cleanly without distractions.

Making Solo Days Effective

The key is having a plan. I usually pick one or two main focuses — for example, tightening up lining on retired marks or cleaning up water re-entries. Then I use our foundational tools (like the Double-T or simple lining drills we’ve talked about before) to reinforce them.

Solo days are also great for:

•  Building confidence on new concepts before bringing them into a group

•  Working on handler-dog communication in a low-pressure environment

•  Giving the dogs mental variety so they don’t get bored with the same group setups

They’re not a replacement for group training — running with others is still essential for real-world experience and learning from better handlers. But solo days help fill the gaps and keep momentum going when life gets busy.

My Recent Solo Sessions

Lately I’ve been doing a lot of short solo mornings. Some days it’s just 4–6 quality retrieves focused on one weakness. Other days we do a quick water tune-up or some scattered bumper work. Apollo especially seems to enjoy the focused attention, and I come away feeling like we actually moved the needle instead of just getting reps in.

Final Thoughts

Solo training days won’t win you the National Championship by themselves, but they’re one of the most practical tools an amateur handler has. They let you be consistent even when group opportunities are limited.

If you’re short on time or training partners, don’t underestimate what you can accomplish alone. Sometimes the best progress happens when it’s just you and your dog.

How often do you train solo? What’s one thing you’ve worked on recently by yourself that really paid off?

Share in the comments or on Instagram @flyinghighretrievers. I’d love to hear what’s working for you.

Here’s to consistent progress, even on the quiet days,

Ryan Fisher

Owner and Team Development Officer

Flying High Retrievers

Long Island, New York