The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast

How to Start Training for Hunt Tests/Field Trials

Are you interested in learning how to start hunting with your bird dog? Do you have a young, energy-filled Pointer, German Shorthair, Vizsla, Brittany, etc. and you're curious about hunt tests or field trials? It can be confusing when you first get started, especially if you are new to bird hunting or bird hunting games. Where do I begin? How do I find someone to help me? What if I have never shot a gun before or my dog is not a puppy or I live in a city? I know entering the hunting and testing world can be downright overwhelming at times, because I was in that same boat when I started. This podcast will offer some ideas to help you get started. If you're a long-time listener to the podcast, this may be review for you. However, perhaps you know someone who is new who you can share it with or get some ideas on how to help them. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland [https://herupland.org/] Podcast Network and sponsored by OnX Hunt [https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app].

The Vizsla Club of America National Gun Dog Championship: Post-Event Recap

Jessica Predom joins me again for part 2 discussing the Vizsla national walking field trial last month. We go into the details of how each of our dog's runs went and who got a placement ! As this was Zara's retirement run, I talk honestly about how it felt to run her and my feelings about the end of her field trial career. You can follow Jessica on Instagram at @fieldtrial_lifestyle or @ridge_thevizsla. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland [https://herupland.org/] Podcast Network and is sponsored by OnX Hunt. [https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

The Vizsla Club of America National Gun Dog Championship: Preparing for the Event

Fellow Vizsla owner, Jessica Predom, and I recorded a two-part episode about our Vizsla national walking field trial. This episode was recorded in multiple parts over the two months leading up to the event. We discuss our preparations, expectations, and goals for this prestigious trial. Stay tuned in two weeks for a recap of how everything panned out! You can follow Jessica on Instagram at @fieldtrial_lifestyle or @ridge_thevizsla. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland [https://herupland.org/] Podcast Network and is sponsored by OnX Hunt. [https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

What It Takes to Train Your Dog for Different Levels

Many people get into the bird dog world with a young dog and train for beginner-level events, like the NAVHDA Natural Ability test, AKC Junior Hunter tests, or field trial puppy and derby stakes. With a well-bred bird dog and some deliberate exposure, doing well at these events shouldn't take a ton of effort. However, the jump to intermediate or advanced levels of testing is large. I find that people often underestimate the amount of time and energy it takes to get your dog ready for Senior/Master hunting tests, adult field trial stakes, or the NAVHDA Utility test (I know I did!). This episode discusses some general guidelines on the amount of time and effort you should expect to invest in order to reach the various levels. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland [https://herupland.org/] Podcast Network and is sponsored by OnX Hunt. [https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]

Tales of Accidental Bird Dogs: Emily Delaplain

Emily has been involved in the dog sport world for a while, starting with agility and training and eventually moving into shed hunting when she met her husband. She trained her Lab and then her first German Wirehaired Pointer for shed hunting. They even started a shed dog club in their area. Through this club, they met friends who took them chukar hunting and soon after, they were hooked. Although her first GWP didn't show a lot of interest in shed hunting, he excels as a bird dog. Emily rescued another GWP along the way and is now training her new puppy, a Wirehaired Vizsla named Kanyon, for the NAVHDA Natural Ability test and being a wild bird dog. I'm sure you'll enjoy listening to Emily's story. You can follow her on Facebook at Backcountry Antler Dogs and on Instagram at @backcountry_versatile_dogs. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland [https://herupland.org/] Podcast Network and is sponsored by OnX Hunt. [https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app]