More Than Training: Trust, Partnership, and the Future of Gundogs with Dr. Anna Ziedins

More Than Training: Trust, Partnership, and the Future of Gundogs with Dr. Anna Ziedins

For nearly 24 years, Dr. Anna Ziedins has dedicated her life to veterinary medicine, hunting, and understanding the incredible bond between dogs and the people who love them. In this episode of Dog Driven, Whitney sits down with Dr. Z to discuss her journey from multiple veterinary school rejections to becoming a respected veterinarian, hunter, and advocate for relationship-based dog training. Together, they explore how gun dog training has evolved over the years, why trust and communication often outperform force and intimidation, and the importance of allowing puppies the time and space to develop naturally. Dr. Z also shares her passion for Fear Free veterinary handling and provides practical advice for helping dogs feel more comfortable during veterinary visits. The conversation also shines a spotlight on the Cesky Fousek, a versatile hunting breed that remains relatively unknown in the United States but has earned a devoted following among hunters who appreciate their drive, versatility, and partnership in the field. Whether you're raising your first hunting dog, training for hunt tests, spending mornings in the duck blind, or simply looking to build a stronger connection with your dog, this episode offers valuable insights from a lifetime spent learning from dogs. In This Episode: • Dr. Z's journey to becoming a veterinarian • The evolution of gun dog training philosophies • The power of the human-animal bond • Why puppies need patience, not pressure • Fear Free veterinary handling explained • Introduction to the Cesky Fousek breed • Preserving hunting heritage for future generations Resources Mentioned: • Cesky Fousek North America • NAVHDA International • Fear Free Pets • Puppy's First Steps (Tufts Veterinary School) and Puppy Culture • Absolutely Positively Gundog Training by Robert Milner Connect with Dog Driven: Website: staydogdriven.com Email: staydogdriven@gmail.com Follow on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok Because great dogs aren't built through shortcuts—they're built through trust, partnership, and time.

Understanding Diagnostic Tests Pt. 1- Bloodwork

Bloodwork is one of the most common diagnostic tools used in veterinary medicine, but most dog owners don't fully understand what those numbers mean or why veterinariansrecommend running labs even when a dog seems healthy. In this episode of Dog Driven, Whitney breaks down the basics of canine bloodwork, including CBCs, chemistry panels, organ function testing, and what veterinarians are lookingfor when they recommend diagnostics. Whether you're managing a performance dog, a hunting companion, or a family pet, understanding bloodwork can help youbecome a better advocate for your dog's health.

12 Years Behind the Whistle: Lessons from Retriever Trainer Seth Fontenot

This week on Dog Driven, I sit down with Seth Fontenot of Scout's Retrievers in Ville Platte, LA, a professional gun dog trainer who has spent countless hours developing retrievers, running hunt tests, and helping support the HRC community. We dive into what it really takes to build a capable huntingdog while balancing work, family, and life outside of dogs. We discuss training philosophies, common mistakes handlers make, how Hunt Retriever Club events develop better hunting dogs, and why consistency beats perfection every time. Whether you're training your first retriever, running seasoned-level hunt tests, or simply trying to get more out of your time in the field, this episode is packed with practical advice from someone who lives it every day.

Emergency or Not? Knowing When to Move Fast, Monitor, or Wait

What’s actually an emergency with your dog… and what can safely wait until morning? In this solo episode of Dog Driven, Whitney breaks down one of the most important skills every dog owner should have: knowing how to recognize true emergencies, assess your dog quickly, and stay calm under pressure. From heat stroke and bloat to limping, vomiting, injuries, and “just not acting right,” this episode walks through: * how to tell the difference between emergency vs monitor-at-home situations, * when to head to the ER immediately, * how to check your dog’s temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, hydration, and gum color, * what normal vital signs actually look like, * and what every sporting or working dog owner should keep in a field first aid kit. Whether you’re in the duck blind, at a hunt test, on the road, or at home after hours, this episode is designed to help you make smarter decisions faster — and potentially save your dog’s life one day. Because preparation matters long before the emergency happens.

Fueling the Athlete: Understanding Calories, Metabolism, and Nutritional Needs in Sporting Dogs

This week on Dog Driven, we’re diving deep into one of the most misunderstood — and most important — topics in the sporting dog world: nutrition, metabolism, caloric demand, and how to properly fuel canine athletes at every stage of life and level of work. From growing puppies to seasoned hunting dogs, explosive competition dogs to endurance athletes, this episode breaks down what handlers need to understand about: - Canine metabolism- Glycogen and energy systems- Fat vs protein utilization- Recovery nutrition- Hydration- Body condition scoring - Seasonal calorie adjustments- Environmental impacts on performance- Muscle maintenance- Why some dogs struggle to keep weight on- And how to calculate caloric needs for individual dogs We also tackle some of the biggest misconceptions in the working dog world — including the difference between a lean athlete and an underfed dog, why conditioning changes metabolic efficiency, and why recovery matters just as much as training itself. Whether you run retrievers, pointers, spaniels, SAR dogs, agility dogs, protection dogs, or hard-driving hunting companions, this episode is packed with practical, science-backed education to help you better understand what’s happening inside your dog’s body before, during, and after work. Because these dogs give us everything they have — and fueling them properly matters. Honor the dog. Fuel the athlete. Protect the drive.