Q&A with AKC Judge & Retriever Trainer Jim Drager: Fueling the Journey

Fueling the Journey

Q: Can you share your background in retriever training?

A: I’ve been involved in retriever training since 1982. My first Golden Retriever, Shamus, started out in obedience and quickly became a fantastic obedience competitor. That early success lit the fire, and I went on to become an advanced obedience instructor and a judge of obedience trials.

From there, I moved into the field world, training and competing in AKC events. I ran my first licensed field trial in 1989 and took home a Judge’s Award of Merit that day. The following year, I competed in the very first AKC Master National event held in Delaware.

Q: What certifications or judging experience do you have?

A: I’ve trained all my own dogs over the years, occasionally with help from some very talented friends. I’ve judged AKC field trials and hunt tests at all levels throughout the U.S. and Canada, and I’ve also led hunt test seminars across both countries. I’m qualified to judge every stake in AKC field trials and hunt tests.

The dogs I’ve trained have earned ribbons at every level in hunt tests—including finishes at Master Nationals—and also in field trials, including stakes that carry championship points.

Q: What’s your daily training routine like?

A: I’ve always had a lot of irons in the fire—work, family, and now grandkids—so my training methods are built to fit into a busy lifestyle. That said, I train every dog like it could be a national champion someday. I keep the end goal in mind and then build the daily plan to fit my schedule and resources.

You don’t need to train for hours every day. Sometimes it’s just a few focused minutes. My dogs typically get 15 to 45 minutes of training a day. More than that, and you’re probably just wearing them down mentally and taking some of the fun out of it.

When I can, I meet up with training groups across Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and Maryland. I’m blessed with amazing people to train with—folks I continue to learn from.

At the end of the day, it’s about having a plan, advancing the dog’s skills—whether it’s basic obedience, handling, or something else—and always keeping it fun. Break it down so the dog can learn without being overwhelmed. And never lose your cool.

Q: Tell us about your current dogs.

A: I’m currently competing with two Golden Retrievers. The AKC retriever game is dominated by Labradors, and Goldens are definitely in the minority—but I love the breed, and I’ve had all the success I could’ve dreamed of with them.

Trav is 15 months old. His registered name is Rivercities Gone for the Day to Neversink. He’s just beginning his field career, but what a start—at 9 months old, he earned a Judge’s Award of Merit in the Derby at the 2024 Golden Retriever National Specialty in Sprakers, New York. He also earned a Two-Star title from the Golden Retriever Club of America. He’s currently training and competing in AKC Derbies, which are for dogs under two years old. I think he’s pretty special!
Teague is related to Trav. His full name is Pine Runs Neversink Island Boy MH,**. He’s a 6-year-old male, an AKC Master Hunter, and a Three-Star Golden Retriever. He’s qualified all-age for AKC field trials, which puts him in rare company—probably fewer than 25 Goldens nationwide hold that level of titles. He’s also qualified for the 2025 Master Amateur Retriever Club Invitational Hunt Test in Maine this June. Teague’s sweet, handsome, and a blast to be around.

Q: What are some key training tips you’d share with other handlers?

A:

Keep training fun. You want the dog to want to do the work, not just feel like it has to.
Never lose your cool. Dogs don’t act out to upset you. When a trainer loses their temper, they’re making it about themselves instead of the dog.
Have solid obedience. Sit, stay, come, and heel—these basics are everything. Without them, you can’t teach anything else. They’re the foundation of great training and what makes your dog a good citizen, too.
Start early, train forever. A common myth is you can’t train a puppy—or an older dog. We start as early as 8 weeks, and my first dog learned blind retrieves at the age of eight!

Q: What do you feed your dogs, and why?

A: I used to feed Pro Plan. While I won’t say anything bad about it, I never felt completely comfortable with it—too many grains and ingredients I couldn’t pronounce. Common sense tells you that dogs don’t eat those things in the wild. I tried supplementing with raw foods like venison and chicken, but with how much I travel, it was hard to maintain.

Then I found Elevate, and honestly, it felt like the answer to a problem I’d dealt with my entire dog career. It’s a whole food, air-dried diet made from trusted U.S. sources. No grains or questionable ingredients. And it’s incredibly convenient for travel—it weighs less, takes up less space, and doesn’t need refrigeration.

Q: What kind of results have you seen since switching to Elevate?

A: The results speak for themselves. My dogs look absolutely amazing. Their coats are full and beautiful, their pigment is dark, and their eyes are bright. They run like true athletes—and that’s what AKC retriever trials demand. If your dog isn’t in peak condition, they won’t succeed in training or competition.

One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed? My dogs are never picky with Elevate. They eat it like it’s a treat. I used to have dogs tip over their bowls or dig holes around them. Not anymore.

I feed once per day in the evening—it works best for digestion and energy. I also use Backyard Bites as training rewards. My dogs will swim 80 yards across a pond just for a bite! The treats are super convenient, shelf-stable, and make reward-based training a breeze.

Q: What’s the MARC Invitational, and how are you preparing for it?

A: The Master Amateur Retriever Club (MARC) Invitational is for AKC Master Hunters who have passed five master-level hunt tests within a 12-month period. It’s held once a year and rotates locations—this year, it’s in Central Maine.

Around 300+ of the best retrievers in the world qualify each year, and about 200 are expected to attend. Most are Labradors, with maybe 20 to 25 Goldens and a few Chessies and Flat-Coats.

Right now, we’re prepping with a focus on mental and physical conditioning. It’s not about cramming—it's about making sure the dog walks into the event believing he’s the best retriever ever created by God and is running with total confidence.

The event is a grind—you’re running your dog every day for nearly a week—so they’ve got to be in tip-top shape. Elevate plays a huge role in helping me get them there. It gives me peace of mind knowing they’re getting the best food and fuel to power their bodies and minds through training and competition.

That’s why I love telling the Elevate story—it’s easy to tell when you truly believe in it.