Best Birddog Training Podcasts (2024)

1
Introducing Kids to Upland Bird Hunting 13:18

37m ago13:18

13:18

Like most parents, I hope my children will share my interests so we can enjoy them together. As a passionate upland hunter, I dream of days spent in the field nurturing their curiosity, instilling a desire for conservation, and fostering a profound respect and appreciation for the game birds we pursue. There’s a special kind of magic and responsibi…

1
A Guide to Choosing the Right Load For a Classic Shotgun 10:53

4d ago10:53

10:53

Vintage shotguns can be particular with the kinds of shotgun shells you put through them. In a world filled with high-velocity, heavy payload shells, the difficulty of finding lighter loads can take away some of the allure of owning a classic. But it shouldn’t stop you. There’s something warm and cozy about hunting with a 50-, 75-, or even 100-year…

1
Episode 108 - interview with Collette May (another one!) 1:04:52

9d ago1:04:52

1:04:52

I last spoke with Collette back in 2019, pre-Covid. Her life has changed in so many ways over the last 5 years, I wanted to catch up with her again and hear about her new ventures. If you want to connect with Collette, check out her websites midwalesholidays.com and completelygundogs.co.uk - and, if you're looking for a pup, her affix is Windlemoor…

1
Edward Laverack: the Father of the English Setter 18:13

11d ago18:13

18:13

“Suddenly into the middle of the coterie of breeders a bombshell was flung, so startling as to cause a violent upheaval of all the old theories, and a complete revolution in setter breeding, the effects of which have lasted to the present day.” —Walter Baxendale Walter Baxendale’s “bombshell” was a man named Edward Laverack, now universally regarde…

1
New CDC Dog Import Rules Will Affect Border Crossings and Air Travel 11:17

13d ago11:17

11:17

In May of 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new rules governing dog imports into the United States. The rules are aimed at standardizing the process between countries and preventing the introduction of canine rabies into the U.S., but the broad-sweeping changes will have lasting impacts on breed clubs that de…

1
Episode 107 - dropping water deliveries & straight line vs hunt it up blinds 34:24

18d ago34:24

34:24

I describe the way that one part of the Clicker Retrieve process ("Proofing the Hold Against Food") is a powerful tool for teaching a dog not to drop on exiting water. And I help a listener who wants to train both straight line blinds AND 'hunt it up' blinds.By Jo Laurens

1
Are Pinyon Jays the Next Sage Grouse? 15:26

19d ago15:26

15:26

I can’t help but stare through the conference room’s glass curtain wall, in awe of some of the world’s most productive wetlands on Earth. This morning, the frozen wetlands are blanketed in snow after this winter’s biggest storms pounded the area, which is great for recharging those wetlands later in the year. During spring, summer, and fall, these …

1
Episode 106 - working with 'distractions' and reinforcers 45:30

24d ago45:30

45:30

Check out as well episodes: Episode 86 - getting focus from your dog outdoors Episode 78 - behavioural trilogy (part 3), the super-drive, hunting crazy dog Episode 72 - behavioural trilogy (part 2), food motivation, allergies, body sensitivity and focus Episode 58 - developing reinforcers before contact with game Episode 38 - puppy exercise and dev…

1
English Springer Spaniel: Breed Characteristics, Abilities, and History 13:06

26d ago13:06

13:06

My first-ever interaction with an English Springer Spaniel was when my wife, Emily, brought one home. When considering which dog breed our first hunting dog should be, we ultimately landed on the one with which Emily was most familiar. She grew up with Springers, and consequently, that is where we landed. At that time, we weren’t aware of the diffe…

1
How to Correctly Command Your Dog 11:47

29d ago11:47

11:47

“Where were you last night?” These words strike fear in nearly all adolescent children. Is the parent simply curious? Was it an ambivalent conversation starter or a knowing and accusatory set up? The answer always lies within the subtle tones, expression, and body language of the parent. The same is true when thinking about the delivery of a comman…

1
Introduction to Force Fetch for Pointing Dogs 13:33

29d ago13:33

13:33

It’s not quite U.S. domestic politics or dog food, but raise the topic of “force fetch” or its euphemism, “trained retrieve,” and you’ll quickly discover that pointing dog folks have lots of feelings about it. You’ll generally find four camps: a camp of those who say they don’t need it because they don’t need their dog to retrieve but only help the…

1
What Is An English “Best Gun?” 8:46

1M ago8:46

8:46

Having dealt with so-called “fine” firearms for decades, the question “What exactly is a ‘best gun?’” comes up a lot. Explaining what a best gun is can be challenging because it’s more of a concept or ethos to building a gun, not something that follows a set of rules or criteria. As such, the term is used quite liberally, especially when it comes t…

1
Solving Separation Anxiety Issues with Dogs 8:20

1M ago8:20

8:20

As each year passes, some of us find enough time to raise and finish our dream upland dog. It is an amazing opportunity to have your dog at the ready, all day long, just begging to be educated. Extra time, whether due to retirement or working from home, has inspired many of us to get out there every day and mold our pup into the finest hunting mach…

1
Episode 105 - should we outright condemn aversives? 35:18

1M ago35:18

35:18

This episode was inspired by the debate between Zak George and Denise Fenzi on Instagram recently. Check out their Stories there if you want to hear what they had to say in their own words.By Jo Laurens

1
The Extinct California Wild Turkey: Meleagris Californica 11:52

1M ago11:52

11:52

Depending on where in the world you’re hunting turkeys, you may be fortunate to see other remarkable wildlife while you sit and hammer on your box or slate call. You may even have one or two curious predatory critters come into your calls, hoping for an easy meal. For many modern turkey species, their main predators are owls, coyotes, and cougars. …

1
Weaving Whoa Training Into Our Daily Routines 9:35

1M ago9:35

9:35

If I were to ask you to honestly explain to me your expectations of whoa, what would your answer look like? Would you be okay with the three or four step California roll type whoa, utilizing more than a few commands while throwing in a few choice expletives? You know, the kind of whoa where you turn red while the dog sighs and rolls its eyes at you…

1
Understanding the Stages of Steady Training a Dog 20:29

2M ago20:29

20:29

Dogs that have been trained to hold point until the handler arrives will do so partly due to it being cooperative. However, this is mostly due to the dog fearing that if it moves, the bird will fly away. Steadiness comes into play once the dog realizes the presence of its handler. Before initiating the steadiness process, you would have hopefully p…

1
Where to Start in Training with a Bird Dog Puppy 11:17

2M ago11:17

11:17

You did your homework, picked the right hunting dog breed, and found the breeder who provided you with the genetic package you dreamt of. On the drive home it hits you. Have I prepared for this new puppy? Now what? How do I start? You own the equivalent of a Ferrari but are unsure how to take it for its first spin without scratching it. Too often, …

1
Llewellin Setter: Characteristics, Training, and Hunting Ability 9:23

2M ago9:23

9:23

Setters are incredible dogs that offer a wide diversity of type, hunting tendencies, and coat colors. Although some may be harder or softer than others, and some pups may be slightly more hesitant to retrieve, there are two constants that remain regardless of breed or strain: their beauty and amazing companionship in the field and at home. Llewelli…

1
Place Training in Your Home 6:24

2M ago6:24

6:24

Sit and stay is a tall order. I don’t know about you, but this is no easy task for me or my bird dogs. Many of us are now quarantined in our homes. I’m sitting here writing this article with four very patient hunting dogs huddled up beside me awaiting anything remotely training related. And so place training is one of the things that can be accompl…

1
Episode 104 - retrieving problems and the importance of basics 35:25

2M ago35:25

35:25

In this episode, I answer a listener question about dogs trying to bring back multiple dummies. I also talk about the importance of having a rigorous training system which begins with the basics and doesn't just want to jump in with the sexy stuff...By Jo Laurens

1
Ruffed Grouse Drumming – The Mysterious Noise of Northern Forests 16:34

2M ago16:34

16:34

The reverberation of a ruffed grouse drumming during early mornings in spring forests is one of the most magical sounds. When you hear it, it starkly contrasts against all other sounds found in the springtime. Its unique nature provokes human curiosity and admiration. No doubt, that very same feeling we get today is what sparked naturalist John Bar…

1
Whoa Training on Your Home Staircase 5:32

2M ago5:32

5:32

Our bird dog training routine has been completely uprooted, though my dogs are thoroughly enjoying all the extra training. Unfortunately for many people, what would have been the start of training season with friends and professional trainers has now become a stay-at-home DIY situation. Nevertheless, we can take this extra time to get some excellen…

1
Understanding and Flagging in a Bird Dog 9:46

2M ago9:46

9:46

So what if my dog has a wiggle butt and flags a bit on point? It’s kinda cute and still gets meat to the frying pan. If that’s the case and your dog will efficiently hunt, locate plenty of birds for you and stand point, I would happily agree with you. More often than not, however, it will affect your hunt in some aspect as it’s a symptom of underly…

1
Why Hunt With a Vintage Shotgun? 10:44

3M ago10:44

10:44

Being part of the hunting and shooting industry, I get to try the latest and greatest new guns every year. But when I’m not toting a gun for work, I’m usually carrying a vintage shotgun. My duck and pigeon gun turned 100 this year, and my grouse gun isn’t far behind it. I have a safe full of old pumps, semi-autos, side-by-sides, and over-unders, an…

1
Learning to Read a Dog’s Body Language for Training 17:47

3M ago17:47

17:47

I’m sure you noticed that you can’t make a move your bird dog doesn’t notice. It’s kind of creepy at times finding your dog at the door staring at you the moment the thought crosses your mind to go out dog training or hunting, as if they are somehow reading your mind. It’s because they’ve been studying your every move since the day you brought them…

1
Hand-Carving Turkey Pot Call Strikers 12:08

3M ago12:08

12:08

Some say the sweetest springtime sounds come from wild turkeys. As many turkey hunters have experienced, real turkeys aren’t always the ones producing that cacophony of yelps. Oftentimes, on crowded small parcels of land, one may be seduced by the sounds emanating from what turns out to be a hungry hunter, not a hen on the prowl. Hunters using turk…

1
Training to the Character of Your Dog 10:24

3M ago10:24

10:24

Bird dog training at its core is behavior modification reliant upon catching your dog in the thought process and being able to read their emotions. Doing so allows us to predict behaviors before they occur, thereby maximizing the potential for learning. Also, the character of the dog at that moment and the behaviors they are exhibiting dictates the…

1
Developing a Hunting Dog's Bird Searching and Quartering Skills 14:08

3M ago14:08

14:08

Have you ever hunted over a dog with a sixth sense for finding birds? Perhaps the dog had a higher-than-average drive to push out to find game. Or maybe it was highly intelligent and sought the most productive cover. Its exceptional nose could’ve been dialed in. Regardless of the attribute, it must have had a cooperative temperament, trusted its ha…

1
How to Make Homemade Maple Syrup 10:46

3M ago10:46

10:46

The Ojibwe, the indigenous people of the Great Lakes region, tell a story of how they were starving and aninaatig (sugar maple) fed the tribe with syrup (zhiiwaagamizigan) that gushed forth from its wood. Soon, the people took the gift of sugar from the Creator for granted. They lay under aninaatig all day and just let the syrup drip into their mou…

1
Understanding Timing in Dog Training 7:45

3M ago7:45

7:45

The instant it takes to drop your car keys from your fingertips to the floor is all the time you have to relay a message to your dog that they are a good dog or a bad dog. This is all the time you have to tag a behavior. Anything after that simply leads to confusion and resentment. When you are reward-based bird dog training using food, toys or pra…

1
#31| Unleashing Adventure: Jessie's Journey with HerUpland 49:37

3M ago49:37

49:37

Join us on this captivating episode of the HerUpland Podcast as we journey with Jessie Janowski from the snow-covered landscapes of Alaska to the heart of HerUpland's community and events. Hosted by Amanda Ponti, a member of the HerUpland Board of Directors and the co-director of the Regional Coordinator program, this episode delves into the empowe…

1
Chukar Partridge – A Rugged, Nonnative Upland Bird 12:01

3M ago12:01

12:01

A black slash slices over red-lined eyes, streaks down the breast, and connects at the keel as it cuts across the body of a flashy chukar partridge. Gray-blue feathers blend seamlessly into shades of dust-brown across its breast and back, but not its sides, where chukar apparently took some inspiration from zebras. Besides pheasants, chukars are ar…

1
Spring Woodcock: The Quiet Period and Pointing Dog Training 13:10

4M ago13:10

13:10

The afternoon sun sat low through the thick cover. It glistened off the saturated ground, small patches of snow still pushing back against the oncoming spring. The sound of my Wirehaired Pointing Griffon’s bell came sharply through the undergrowth, occasionally muted by the splash of water as Grim worked his way back and forth. We had been through …

1
Red Grouse Counting in the North Highlands of Scotland 15:15

4M ago15:15

15:15

July is an exciting month for us, as it signals the approach of our shooting season, which starts on 12 August—known as The Glorious Twelfth—with the opening of the red grouse season. My husband Ronnie and I live on the northwest coast of Scotland with our ten Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas. They are a huge part of our lives—they share our house and …

1
How to Use Dog Treats in Training 10:29

4M ago10:29

10:29

A short while ago, I spoke with a behaviorist friend of mine, Matt McKenny, who also owns versatile hunting dogs. I specifically asked him his thoughts about his relationship with his dog and how behavioral science contributes to his ability to work with, train and calm his dogs. He provided an in-depth perspective of how we use science knowingly —…

1
Sharp-tailed Grouse of Wisconsin – Firebirds of the Northwest Sands 23:15

4M ago23:15

23:15

During my time at Deerfield Elementary School in southern Wisconsin, my fourth-grade teacher taught us about Wisconsin’s geological history. I recall learning about glaciers, the formation of our local drumlins, and how unique the unglaciated driftless area is when it comes to midwestern landscapes. However, I don’t recall Mr. Meyer teaching my cla…

1
Episode 103 - the UK's approach to blind retrieves for HPRs 45:51

4M ago45:51

45:51

Did you know that HPRs in the UK are expected to handle? That means: To hold straight lines. To be cast left, right and back. Essentially, to 'be' Retrievers. Some of you might thing that sounds insane....By Jo Laurens

1
How to Reset Your Dog in Training 10:11

4M ago10:11

10:11

“That’s it. I’m sending my dog away to be trained!” So training didn’t go your way today and you are left with an alarmed dog and a bitter taste in your mouth. Hopefully, you called it a day before impacting the trusting relationship you worked so hard to earn. Time for both of you to recover and reset. Take a break, back up and go back to the basi…

1
Basics of Training Dogs With A Long Lead 9:06

4M ago9:06

9:06

Dog training methodologies are vast. The long lead’s outward appearance may seem to be a relic of training days gone by. And truth be told, for some, they wouldn’t be wrong. With the invention of the e-collar and the now mainstream training approaches of utilizing classical and operant conditioning, many trainers forego the use of the long lead alt…

1
The Five Mental States of Dogs in Training 9:06

4M ago9:06

9:06

When your dog is in a calm state, they are ready to learn and will do so even if you’re not intending to teach them anything. I was at a sportsman club in Maine chatting it up with folks when my German shorthaired pointer started tugging at the lead. Without much thought I reached in my pocket, called her in and treated her throughout the day. What…

1
Winchester Model 12 Shotgun 13:46

4M ago13:46

13:46

Suppose one found themselves reading a newspaper in 1912. The headlines may have read, “New Mexico, Arizona Admitted as 48th and 49th States,” “Titanic Sank on its Maiden Voyage,” and “First Stop Light Invented in Detroit.” Between articles, you might have spotted a Winchester Repeating Firearms announcement for its new shotgun, the Winchester Mode…

1
The Labrador Duck: A Tale of Modern Extinction 13:17

5M ago13:17

13:17

The Labrador Duck was a beautiful black and white type of sea duck considered the first species of North American birds to go extinct during modern times. The last Labrador Duck to be hunted was shot in 1878 in Elmira, New York. It is presumed that the species went extinct shortly after. The loss of the Labrador duck is not your typical ecological …

1
English Setter: Characteristics, Abilities, and History 12:57

5M ago12:57

12:57

The English Setter was America’s first bird dog. And rightly so; they’re known for being incredible hunting partners regardless of the terrain or quarry. As a result, they have a long history in North America, and evidence of that can be found in classic upland bird hunting texts like The Upland Shooting Life by George Bird Evans. However, this dog…

1
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in History and Today 24:49

5M ago24:49

24:49

Nowadays, when we think of duck hunting, we imagine scenes of wing-shooting mallards in a marsh or stubble field. However, before the invention of firearms, ducks were not shot on the wing. They were caught with snares, shot with a bow and arrow or driven into nets. Eventually, techniques were even developed to lure ducks into cages. So for centuri…

1
Episode 102 - aversives and listener questions 56:23

5M ago56:23

56:23

In this episode, I answer listener questions about in-a-row blinds, dealing with frustration in blinds and the use of aversives.By Jo Laurens

1
Introducing a Dog to an E-Collar 19:44

5M ago19:44

19:44

I grew up during what appears today to be the stone age of upland hunting. It’s hard to believe we could simply throw on a bell and go out hunting. Admittedly, there were plenty of frustrating days when the dogs were having a really good time without us. It was just part of the gig back then. We talked to our dogs a lot, constantly commanding to ke…

1
NAVHDA Utility Test – A Complete Overview 14:15

5M ago14:15

14:15

When it comes to evaluating hunting dogs—whether for breeding purposes or bragging rights—the methods and philosophies are as varied as hunters themselves. What constitutes a “good” hunting dog, and whose opinion counts? One hunter’s ideal dog could be a terrible match for someone else’s style, and vice versa. Non-competitive hunt tests came about …

1
History of the Sinkbox 34:47

5M ago34:47

34:47

The sinkbox was effective for waterfowl hunting because it was flush with the water’s surface and nearly invisible ducks and geese, particularly to the low approach of diving ducks. Its popularity began early, three decades before the Civil War, and it remained a waterfowling tool for over a hundred years. Originating on the North Atlantic Seaboard…

1
How to Prepare a Dog for the VJP Test 17:20

5M ago17:20

17:20

As a new owner of a versatile hunting dog, you’ve probably been asked about running in a natural ability or puppy hunt test. Some breeders may request or require that puppy buyers run in a test, while other owners may stumble into the puppy test through local club chapters such as NAVHDA or AKC. For owners of the German-registered breeds—such as th…

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