Mike Neiduski of Ugly Dog Hunting joins me for a discussion that spans a number of relevant dog topics which most of them simply come back to the question of "Why are we testing?" WATCH HERE! Impressions of the upland community through so many unique lenses Becoming a judge to become a better handler? Learning by seeing so many different dogs and handlers IF using a command then actually use it! Test jitters and nervousness Why are we testing? Where does ego fall into testing and preparation? "I...
Oct 08, 2024•2 hr 5 min•Ep. 288
One of the concerns for dog handlers in certain regions would be the presence of wolves. How concerned should you actually be though? Randy Johnson, large carnivore specialists for the Wisconsin DNR, joins me to discuss the species and how it impacts us as dog handlers. Cougars, Bears, & Wolves....oh, my! The historical timeline of wolves in Wisconsin The Gray Wolf pack structure and size Very territorial Depredation on local farms The ESA impact on responding to depredation Opportunistic fe...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 53 min
Not all professional gun dog trainers have the land and resources that are typically associated with training gun dogs. Josh Wiggins of Houston Dog Works joins me for a wide ranging conversation on his training perspectives that affords him the capability to train sporting dogs while living and operating in a major city such as Houston, TX. This is also what motivated him to start his new company Gundog Garage! Watch Here! Behavior modifications are the same as regular training Dog training pric...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 287
There is much more to breeding than just pairing up a male and female! Gretchen Zwerlein of V.D. Wildblumen Kleine Munsterlander joins me to discuss her process when it comes to making the decision to breed, whelping the litter, and her process when it comes to developing throughout the early puppyhood stages. Watch Here! Why the Munsterlander? What makes the German system produce consistent results? What made Gretchen decide to breed? Not all dogs are worth breeding The risk of breeding for the...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 286
Danielle Prewett from Meateater joins us to discuss her new cookbook, Wild + Whole: Seasonal Recipes for the Conscious Cook. She also shares valuable tips and insights on preparing and savoring the meat you and your dogs have worked so hard for! WATCH HERE -What does "sustainable" actually mean? -The price and cost of buying meat -Eating only wild game and not buying ANY meat? -Plucking vs skinning vs breasting -What have your birds been eating recently? -Red meat vs white meat birds -"What grow...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 285
I'm just dropping in for a quick recap of my recent trip to Montana. Also, since I haven't checked in solo for quite a while I have a few housekeeping items to check off the list! Watch Here Some quick announcements and housekeeping A new puppy?!? From camper to mobile truck camping. A summary of my new system Getting to Montana with a stop off in MN Horseback trial in the ND grasslands?! Some bad luck starts Getting to camp and really breaking in the new shotgun! Hunting report Report cards for...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Nate Czarnota of Iron Oak Dog Company sits down with me after his training seminar to discuss a number of topics that were addressed throughout the weekend. WATCH HERE What was the goal of putting on this style of a seminar? Active dog, reactive handler Leash and line management Be comfortable being uncomfortable Anyone thats really advanced is truly just good at the basics Pressure that both handlers and dogs are okay with Keeping the good attitude throughout "Space between the notes" Hope has ...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 284
There is a ton of information, opinions, concerns, and concepts out there when it comes to training dogs with electronic collars. One of the most qualified people in the dog training space to speak on the subject is Justin Rigney of K9 Services Unlimited. WATCH HERE Justin landed in dog training and became a "professional student" What even is an "E-collar" Make the dogs addicted to the equipment When to introduce the E-collar Charging the stimulation Opposition reflex The dopamine box The E-col...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 283
Chris Armanini of Full Send K9 comes on to discuss and demonstrate his entire program of the "Unforced Force Fetch." Watch the Podcast Watch the Training (part 1) Watch the Training (part 2) What aspects of the traditional approaches motivated a new outlook? How many dogs were washed out because their genetics couldn't overcome a traditional approach? The language and theory behind the UFF process When do we name the behaviors? Is "hold" implied or a separate command? Where does the pressure com...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 282
In this episode, we explore the value of continuous learning and the importance of embracing new perspectives in dog training. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, there's always room to grow by stepping outside your comfort zone. I'm joined by Randall Lykens of Liberty Canine, Justin Rigney of K9 Services Unlimited, Tim Andrews, and Chris Armanini of Full Send K9 for an insightful discussion on how trainers in the gun dog community—and beyond—can benefit from incorporating fresh ...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 281
I'm joined by Mark Dinsmore who is here to remind people that you cant have effective training without appropriate planning and focusing on the execution of the plan. Watch Here! Trialing an EB in France European vs US trials "French" or "Epagneul Breton" and comparing them to the "American" Brittany Start with a specific goal in mind Break your goal down into individual steps Set yourself up for success or failure with the "6 P's" Adapt when necessary What works for you may not work for me! FOC...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 280
Brett Edstrom comes on to discuss how the 'best' Ruffed Grouse dogs are proven on wild birds in cover dog trials. Its the catch and release approach to Ruffed Grouse Hunting that George Bird Evans used to long for in his writings! WATCH HERE Learning under a "legendary" trainer Did we lose anything through the decades of "wash outs"? From retrievers to horses to grouse dogs Painting a picture of a true cover dog Running to the "edge of the bell" Walking us through a brace How are cover dog judge...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 279
With the much anticipated early bird hunting season finally upon us in a few weeks, I've received quite a number of emails and messages concerned about snakes and questions about the Rattlesnake Vaccine so I thought it would be worth republishing the episode I recorded last year with Chris Jenkins of the Orianne Society where we talked everything snakes and how it pertains to all of us with dogs. Why are we doing a snake episode? Addressing the fear of snakes The overlap of bird and reptile popu...
Aug 08, 2024•1 hr 40 min
Ryan McIntosh of Southern Wires Kennels joins us to share his journey and insights from establishing himself as a professional dog trainer in the demanding Texas heat. Tune in to hear about the challenges he faced, from finding his preferred training approach to building confidence in the process. WATCH HERE Deciding to take the plunge into professional dog training A variety in training and hunting for your dog Learning curves and advice in becoming a pro trainer Get creative to take the road o...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 278
Todd and Jocelyn Sackett from Sweet Briar Pet Transport joins us to discuss how their unique service can add efficiency and convenience to your travel plans. Whether you're working with a trainer across the country or trying to figure out how to fit in that dream trip without sacrificing days of travel time, a professional pet transport service might be the perfect solution! Watch Here From packing firewood in Alaska with New Foundlands to starting a Pet Transport service out of Indiana Covid sh...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 277
Kristofer Sandlund from Sweden joins us to share his perspectives on hunting, training, and living with dogs in Sweden and compare them to the practices in the US. Watch Here Getting started with hunting dogs in Sweden Duck Tollers to Kleiner Munsterlanders Calling in Hazel Grouse How to hunt the 'horror bird' Cappercallie Grouse Where to find the Willow Ptarmigan Cultural differences: no ecollars, no crates, no shooting training birds Dog trialing with seagulls?! Obtaining a hunting license in ...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 276
This week we close out Jim Sorenson's story of chasing the upland slam in Part 3 originally released on 9/6/22. Ruffed Grouse Chukar Blue Grouse Spruce Grouse Sage Grouse Upland Slam Taxidermy Woodock Willow Ptarmigan Rock Ptarmigan Whitetail Ptarmigan Are Snipe and Rail being left out? Closing out Bella the 3rd dog The best and worst "behaved" birds for the dogs The best and worst tasting birds The most and least fun birds to chase - 2024 GDIY Pheasant Hunt - Presented By: Standing Stone Supply...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Jared Warren of Southern State K9 returns in part 2 of the discussion on building and utilizing markers in your training. You also cant discuss markers without at least a working level of understanding when it comes to reward structures so we explore that topic as well. Watch Here! Think of it as training with Dopamine rather than training with rewards Dogs are selfish and thats a good thing! Keep realistic expectations for your dog Chunking and isolating each individual behavior Paying in posit...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 275
This week we continue Jim Sorenson's story of chasing the upland slam in Part 2 originally released on 8/30/22. Where did the journey begin? Does a hunting journal help with being a better hunter? Hungarian Partridge (Huns) and Sharptail Grouse (Sharps) Prairie Chickens Pheasant Bobwhite Quail Mountain Quail Valley Quail Mearns Quail Gambel Quail Scale Quail - 2024 GDIY Pheasant Hunt - Presented By: Standing Stone Supply | Check out their step by step Online Courses and Use Code 'GDIY' to save 1...
Jul 18, 2024•58 min
"I wish the dog could understand what I'm saying!" A very relatable request or wish that any dog trainer has probably uttered at some point or another. The truth is though, with the proper approach and consistency, you can get the dog to at least understand "yes" or "no" which does allows you to communicate more effectively with your dog. Jared Warren of Southern State K9 joins us in a two part discussion on building and utilizing markers. You cant discuss markers without at least working level ...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 274
This week we start Jim Sorenson's story of chasing the Upland Slam that originally released on August 23, 2022. This upland slam series is unique in that Jim doesn't chase the slam for himself. Jim counts the upland slam for each individual dog. From Vizslas to German Shorthair Pointers Pheasant hunting with pointing dogs or flushing dogs? What is the Upland Slam? Learning curves and preparation Starting all the way from zero on the list! No previous birds counted. Hunting standards and requirem...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr
In this episode, we're joined by Ben Fretz from North Country Sporting Dogs to discuss the most common concerns in the dog training world. Whether you're a DIY trainer, a professional, or a dog owner who hires a trainer, one truth remains: every dog is unique and won't follow the same path. However, the pressure often mounts once a date is set on the calendar. Ben shares his insights on why patience isn't just a virtue in dog training—it's a requirement. Tune in to learn how to stay calm and foc...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 273
You never know when an idea or passion may find you. This was the case for Kevin and his son while out on an early season Sharptail hunt. While stopping for a break and consuming products designed to help fuel their own hunt, they couldn't help but wonder why they didn't have anything to help fuel their dogs. Fast forward and they have now produced an all natural human grade bone broth designed to help fuel hydration and spark recovery before the hunt is even over! Watch Here! Moving back to Ida...
Jul 04, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 272
AKC conformation judge, Lonnie Carrol of Bear Hug Griffons, joins us to cover everything in the show dog world. Very often we hear the phrase "function over form" and Lonnie explains why it shouldn't be an either/or situation and we should be striving for both form AND function. Watch Here! What are conformation shows? The different classes and what it takes to earn championships Compete in 'classes' then move into the 'groups' before entering the 'best in show' Dogs are judged against a breed s...
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 271
Accidents happen. Prices at the veterinary offices seem to be skyrocketing. How do we prepare for the scenario where we are weighing the well being of our beloved dog against whats right for our bank account and family? In this episode, we delve into the world of pet insurance—what it is, how it works, and why it might be right or wrong for you. Tim Andrews did a deep dive and researched the numerous types of insurance offered across the space to then come on and beak it all out for us. Watch He...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 270
GDIY Profiles are bonus episodes that feature your average DIY dog trainer and hunter. All dog owners have a story of what got them involved and the main lessons learned along the way. Hearing numerous people’s stories along with their mistakes, helps promote the idea that WE ALL STARTED AT THE SAME PLACE! NAME: Nate Lecy BREED: Pudelpointer, Lab/Australian Shepherd Mix LOCATION: Southeast MN TARGETS: Waterfowl, Ruffed Grouse FAVORITE EPISODES: Ep. 243 Understanding Your Dog's Behavior, Ep. 182 ...
Jun 20, 2024•41 min
We heard about the patients journey through TPLO surgery last week. This week we talk with Veterinarian, Jay Brekke, as he goes through all of the advice and tips from the actual surgeons perspective. WATCH HERE Just how common is the CCL injury today? The odds of dealing with the injury and the underlying causes The knee certifications should be similar to the hip certifications The lifestyle and preventative measures while joins form as a puppy An egg a day....and other supplements From the in...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 269
One of my favorite things in the bird dog world is backing and honoring. Darryl Pernat came on the show in May of 2021 to break down his process on getting your dog to back reliably and consistently in the field! Why is backing important? "Backing" vs. "honoring" "Natural" vs. "developed" backers Better to start earlier or wait until after steadiness training? Necessary gear for training: silhouettes, pigeons, launchers The "Daryl Method" broken out step by step Getting from the bird flush to a ...
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr 11 min
It's something we all hope never happens to our dogs but, unfortunately, a CCL injury (equivalent to a human ACL) is more common than what you may think. When Cliff Hawkins' 3 year old Pudelpointer, Ruby, went down with the injury, he found the available information on how to navigate the situation very lacking. So he documented his experience and wrote the Navigating TPLO Surgery Article that can hopefully help others make their way through the process with as little setbacks as possible! The a...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 268
GDIY Profiles are bonus episodes that feature your average DIY dog trainer and hunter. All dog owners have a story of what got them involved and the main lessons learned along the way. Hearing numerous people’s stories along with their mistakes, helps promote the idea that WE ALL STARTED AT THE SAME PLACE! NAME: Lucas Felling BREED: Llewellin Setter LOCATION: Spooner, WI TARGETS: Pheasant, Ruffed Grouse, Woodcock FAVORITE EPISODES: Ep. 231. Getting To Know Nick | The Force Fetch Series MISTAKE: ...
Jun 06, 2024•29 min
