Episodes

  • What It Takes to Train Your Dog for Different Levels

    What It Takes to Train Your Dog for Different Levels
    Mar 25 2026

    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.
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    The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland Podcast Network and is sponsored by OnX Hunt.

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    31 mins
  • Tales of Accidental Bird Dogs: Emily Delaplain

    Tales of Accidental Bird Dogs: Emily Delaplain
    Mar 11 2026
    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 Podcast Network and is sponsored by OnX Hunt.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Burnout in Bird Dog Training

    Burnout in Bird Dog Training
    Feb 25 2026
    Heather Wallace and I discuss the topic of getting burnt out with your bird dog training, testing, and trialing. We talk about two main kinds of burn out. The first is the feeling of mental exhaustion that can come when your training is not going well, or you are not having a lot of success in tests or trials. The second is the fatigue from all the logistics – setting up training sessions, lining up gunners, getting birds, planning around your work schedule, not to mention all of the driving that's involved. We hope you relate to this honest conversation about the realities of pursuing these hobbies with our bird dogs. You can find Heather on Facebook or Instagram at @hlw_outdoors. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.
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    59 mins
  • Planning Out A Hunt Test/Field Trial Season

    Planning Out A Hunt Test/Field Trial Season
    Feb 11 2026
    New podcast episode! Planning Out A Hunt Test/Field Trial Season 🎙 A successful field trial or hunt test season doesn't happen by accident. If you're a planner like me, then you'll enjoy this topic. 😜 In this episode, I walk you through how to plan your season strategically instead of just signing up for every event that pops up on the calendar. We talk about starting with your goals (Earning a specific title? Gaining experience? Confidence-building?), then looking at what's actually offered in your area and when. I break down how to choose which events to attend based on: – The type of grounds and how they suit your dog – Travel distance and logistics – The judges and their style – The overall atmosphere and culture of the hosting club We also dive into practical considerations like how much training time you realistically need between events, how weather can impact performance, and how to decide which stakes or levels to enter. I end by talking about the off-season — how to use that time wisely and make time for rest. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.
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    47 mins
  • Tips for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds

    Tips for AKC Hunting Tests for Pointing Breeds
    Jan 21 2026

    AKC hunt tests can feel overwhelming, no matter what level you're running. After judging a test last weekend, I walked away with a long list of things handlers could do in training and at the actual test to set themselves up for more successful runs. In this episode, I'm sharing those tips and tricks to help you and your dog be more prepared and confident.

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    The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.
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    50 mins
  • Tales of Accidental Bird Dogs: Jeff Beck

    Tales of Accidental Bird Dogs: Jeff Beck
    Jan 7 2026

    For the first episode of the year, I'm kicking it off with another story of someone who got a pointing dog as a pet and then decided to get into hunting later.

    In this episode of Tales of Accidental Bird Dogs, I sit down with Jeff Beck, whose journey into the bird dog world started with one goal: finding an active dog he could train and do fun things with.

    Jeff's first dog, a GSP named Jinx, was originally meant to be a versatile companion—obedience work, UKC shed dog competitions, and staying busy. But everything changed when he took her to a pro trainer for some bird exposure. The moment he saw her lock up on point, he was hooked.

    Fast forward to today, and Jeff is deep in the bird dog life. He now owns five dogs (four of them GSPs), runs hunt tests with his kids, guides, maintains a serious pigeon coop, and operates a small obedience training business. What started as "just wanting a dog to train" has turned into a full-blown family lifestyle centered around dogs, birds, and learning together.

    You can get in touch with Jeff on Facebook at Point Perfect K9 Academy.

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    The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.
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    1 hr
  • End of the Year 2025 Listener Questions

    End of the Year 2025 Listener Questions
    Dec 24 2025
    For the third year in a row, I'm wrapping up the year with an end-of-year listener Q&A. In this episode, I answer questions submitted by you—covering everything from how I taught my dogs whoa, to whether it makes sense to start with field trials or NAVHDA first, and how to keep making progress when you have limited access to birds. Thanks to everyone who submitted a question and thank you for listening to my podcast this year! Cheers to 2026! 🥂 -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.
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    56 mins
  • The Accidental Bird Dog Audiobook Teaser

    The Accidental Bird Dog Audiobook Teaser
    Dec 10 2025
    This week on the podcast, I'm doing something a little different—I'm reading a few chapters from my book, The Accidental Bird Dog: My Journey with an Extraordinary Vizsla. If you've ever wondered how my story began—or if you've read the book and want to experience it in a new way—this is for you. And yes…this is a teaser, because the audiobook is officially in the works. ☺️ The paperback and ebook versions are currently available on Amazon. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland Podcast Network and sponsored by onX Hunt.
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    39 mins