Nick Larson of the Birdshot Podcast joins me for a fireside chat to reflect on how our hunting styles and approaches have evolved over the years. This episode truly has something for everyone! Watch Here Highlights: Waiting on colder conditions during the early season Recapping Hartley's hunt A puppy run complete with fall drummers, porcupines, and bears?!? Reflecting back on being brand new to Ruffed Grouse Hunting Noticing the pattern in habitat You can get as into the weeds on...

I stopped off while on my way up to the Northwoods for a few weeks with Jordan Horak of Cato Outdoors . We hung out and ran some dogs through a few drills then sat down to record this conversation in which we talk about some hurdles or challenges for a lot of folks wanting to train their own bird dogs. Watch Here! The impact of wild bird populations on how we train. You don't need land and birds everyday to train a bird dog. Develop a language with the dog Find the highest common...

Terry Ann Fernando joins me to talk about why she favors trialing over testing and hunting. Having spent years in each activity with her Vizsla, Zara, Terry Ann offers valuable insights into what she enjoys about each one and what sets them apart. Watch Here Highlights: A positive experience at a JR Hunt Test results in the Accidental Bird Dog What appeals to Terry Ann more about trialing and testing? Do we lose any "hunt"by focusing on competing? The dogs know the difference between...

I spent a week bouncing around Montana hunting and camping on public land with Randall Lykens (Liberty Canine, LLC) and his brother Cory Lykens. We talk about everything in this one to include hunt stories, gear talk, and lessons learned. You don't want to miss this one! WATCH HERE! --> This episode has a number of clips and pictures sprinkled throughout. Please click the link to check it out and hit SUBSCRIBE while there! Highlights: Why did we come to Montana? Taking client dogs on...

You never know who's paths may cross on these trips and when previous GDIY guest from episode 230, Tyson Bowden, messaged saying he was in the area we were able to link up. His buddy Lars Jacobson of Crispi Boots was his riding partner and we all got out in the middle of nowhere for a quick hunt and conversation. First impressions of Montana Overanalyzing and second guessing yourself What cover were the Sharptail Grouse in? Goals and expectations coming into the trip Keeping camp both...

Riding a horse to chase bird dogs across the prairies of North Dakota will be one of the experiences that sticks with me for quite a while. Kenton Bryant, Dave Stover, and Will Dunn join me to discuss everything about the tradition of horseback field trials. Watch Here! History of horseback hunting in the United States Horseback field trials in the United States Impact of diminishing bird numbers American Field Trial is a lifestyle Trial dogs versus “hunting dogs” Superior independence...

Revisiting the conversation I had with Del Whitman of D.C. Whitman Custom Gunsmithing discussing the basics of selecting the proper ammunition to effectively and ethically hunt your targeted game. This episode was originally released on Local grouse hunting update Pointer & flusher combo on grouse Getting into ballistics Appropriate ammo for vintage shotguns Low pressure loads Analyzing the ammo for the actual gun you're using The components of a shotgun shell High brass vs low...

This episode is all about the ever neglected flushing dog! John Huddleston of Over the Mountain Kennels is a tried and true Boykin Spaniel man and joins me to talk flushing dog training and much much more. Watch Here! The 2025 St. Huberts Trial on February 8th and 9th is ready for Sign Ups! What makes a quality flushing dog? The proper range for a flusher Steadiness is more for safety than practicality? Style in the flush?! Breed standards on how each flushes Getting the dog hunting...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...