The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast

As part of the HerUpland family since the beginning of this podcast in 2023, it was fun to have a conversation with Brandy Elrod, a HerUpland Board Member, Co-Chair for Partnerships, Communications Chair, and wingshooting instructor! We primarily chatted about HerUpland's dog training camps and how they offer both new and experienced handlers ways to progress their training. Attending one of these camps is more than just training your dog. There's plenty of opportunity to meet other like-minded women, learn about safely shooting a shotgun, and feel comfortable asking even the "dumb" questions!

After listening to this, if...

What do bird dog people do when it's too hot for much of anything and there's no bird dog events? Keep training!

In this episode, Jessica Predom and I bring you three updates we recorded throughout the summer, in May, July, and the end of August, to talk about what we've been working on with our dogs, what's gone well, and what's challenged us along the way.

We discuss retrieve training, heeling, steadiness, and conformation. One of the interesting discoveries this summer was how much stacking for the conformation ring can actually complement steadiness training...

  Ashley talks with me about her journey from originally getting a Braque Francais for agility to becoming fully immersed in the bird dog world. Like many of us, she didn't grow up hunting. She currently has two dogs: Peaks, her 5 year old Braque, and Valley, her 1 year old German Shorthaired Pointer. She is currently involved in with NAVHDA, AKC hunt tests, AKC field trials, and is now an avid wild hunter.    You can follow Ashley on Instagram at @trail_feather. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland Podcast Network and is sponsored by onX Hunt.

Gear for you and your bird dog. What do you actually need versus what is a "nice to have"? In this episode I cover the essentials for bird dog training, as well as running field trials, hunt tests, or wild bird hunting.

In the intro, I mentioned AKC's new retrieve test for pointing breed field trials. The full rules can be accessed at https://www.akc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Communication-Stand-Alone-Ret-Test-in-PBFT.pdf.

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

This one is for people who are brand new to bird dog training! In this episode, I walk through everything you need to know before your first training day—from what to wear and what to bring to what your dog should (and shouldn't) already know. Whether you're heading to your first lesson with a professional trainer or attending a group training day like NAVHDA, this episode will help you feel more prepared and confident. And if you're a long-time podcast listener or already experienced, consider sharing it with a friend who's just getting started.

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  In this episode, I'm joined by Charlotte, who shares how adopting a reactive rescue Weimaraner eventually led her into the world of NAVHDA and bird dog training. When Jade came into Charlotte's life at a year and a half old, she struggled with anxiety and reactivity, leaving Charlotte searching for ways to meet her needs. Barn Hunt became their first breakthrough, giving Jade an outlet that noticeably reduced her stress and helped build her confidence.   After learning that Jade came from field lines, Charlotte decided to see if hunting might be something that Jade would enjoy. One NAVHDA training day wa...

  What does it take to raise a field trial puppy that develops into a National Champion?   In this episode, I sit down with amateur field trialer John Bacik to discuss the puppy-raising and foundation behind his remarkable success. This year, John's older Vizsla Shelby won the Vizsla Club of America's National Gun Dog Championship, while his younger dog Taylor won the Open Derby and earned her Amateur Field Championship at 17 months.   What's especially interesting is that John doesn't have many of the resources people often assume are necessary for success. He doesn't own horses, an ATV, or a large training pro...

Experienced Vizsla breeder Michelle Dowd of Broad Run Vizslas joins me to talk about her journey into breeding and the important things to consider when breeding dogs for field ability. Breeding has its ups and downs, and Michelle shares about the good and bad she's encountered over the past 26 years. She also offers her advice for people who might be looking to start breeding dogs themselves.

You can find Michelle on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok at Broad Run Vizslas or visit her website at broadrunvizslas.com.

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The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is...

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...

  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.

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

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.

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

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...

  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 n...

  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 re...

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 a...

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.

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 eve...

  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.    

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.

  Do you feel nervous when handling your dog in competitions and events? Even after competing for 10 years, I still feel anxious every single time.    In this episode, I dive into the mindset challenges that come with running your dog in tests and trials. I share my own experiences with negative self-talk, including moments when I nearly talked myself out of competing altogether. We explore what pre-performance anxiety feels like, why it's completely normal, and how to work through it so you can show up as the best handler for your dog. I also break down practical strategies—taking care of your...

In this episode, I'm joined once again by Cristina Ralph to explore how building engagement and a positive relationship with your dog sets the stage for effective training so they want to work with us. We break down how marker systems create a clear communication language, and we discuss the difference between drive and arousal—plus real-world examples of how these concepts show up in hunting dogs. If you want a dog that wants to work with you, not just goes through the motions, this episode is a must-listen.

You can find Cristina on Instagram at @gretablaiseandwednesdayaddams or...

If you're new to the bird dog world, one of the first big questions you'll face is: What should I do with my dog? In this episode, I break down the main types of pointing dog events — hunt tests, field trials, and versatile dog tests — and talk about what makes each one unique.

We'll cover the organizations behind these events, what kinds of dogs are eligible, and how to decide which might be the best fit for you and your pup. I'll also share a few things to think about when choosing where to start, like what kind...

In this episode, I sit down with Geri Orta to talk about her incredible German Shorthaired Pointer, Ranger (VC TC AFC OTCH2 Sageflyer Gorta's Ranger UDX8 OGM GO VER RE MH NA CA BCAT). Ranger made history as the oldest dog to pass the NAVHDA Invitational and earn a Versatile Champion title—at an astounding 12 years and 9 months old.

Geri shares how she set ambitious goals for Ranger from the very beginning, aiming for him to become the breed's first AKC triple champion. Even after retiring him from the field, Ranger wasn't content to slow down. At ag...

I interviewed Adrienne Barber in our latest installment of the Tales of Accidental Bird Dog series. Adrienne got a Spinone, Fig, as an active running and adventure companion in 2016. After a while, she noticed that Fig wouldn't stop pointing tweety birds while she was walking her in the city, so she decided to look into hunting. She got involved in NAVHDA and eventually ran Fig in the Natural Ability test for evaluation only as she was a little past the age cut-off. 

Since then, Adrienne started hunting and recently got another bird dog, a Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla, n...

The AKC just made a major change to field trial rules: judges in walking stakes can now use ATVs and UTVs instead of being required to ride horses. To unpack what this means for the sport, I sit down with Paul Hermes — a Florida-based AKC field trial and hunt test judge — to talk through the impact.

Paul is realistic about the situation and in an ideal world, he would prefer to have horses for judging. But he also recognizes the practical challenges: horses are increasingly hard to source, and many younger participants don't own them. We discuss the...

Steadiness can be one of the most challenging things to teach to your pointing dog. In this episode, I talk about the general process of teaching steadiness, regardless of the method you are using. I discuss common mistakes I see people making and those I was guilty of with Zara. I also go into detail about the process I'm using to teach Lanka to be steady on birds.

Links mentioned in this episode:

NAVHDA Aims, Programs, Test Rules booklet, page 44 for the steadiness diagram: https://www.navhda.org/aims-programs-test-rules/

My upcoming group coaching...

  How do you figure out if your dog is ready to enter a hunt test or field trial? In this episode, I break down what readiness really means. From evaluating your dog's skills to assessing your own confidence and long-term goals, I'll walk you through key questions to ask yourself before signing up. I also share how time constraints and mental preparedness play a role in deciding when to enter—or hold back. I hope you find this episode useful whether you are entering your very first event or an advanced level test or trial.

The Accidental Bird Dog Pod...

  In this episode, I sit down with Kelli—an Irish Setter breeder, handler, and passionate field trialer who has fully embraced the bird dog lifestyle. What sets Kelli apart is the adventurous path she and her husband have chosen: living full-time in their RV as they travel the country training, hunting, and competing with their dogs.   We talk about how she first got involved with Irish Setters, what sparked her interest in field trials, and what it took to transition to life on the road. Kelli shares a refreshing perspective on what it means to go "all in" on your pass...

  So whose dog has gotten picked up in a field trial before?! If you run field trials, it's pretty much inevitable that your dog is going to get picked up at some point, no matter how well trained they are. In this episode, I discuss different ways that can get your dog picked up in AKC field trial gun dog stakes. I also go into detail about Zara's field trial career and explain the times that she has gotten picked up. I've heard from listeners that people like to hear these personal stories and how I've learned from mistakes I've m...

In this episode, I'm joined by professional dog trainer Emily Shirey of Horizon Retrievers. Emily brings a wealth of experience running retriever hunt tests with both her German Shorthaired Pointer and her Labrador Retriever. We dive into the Hunting Retriever Club (HRC) test structure, focusing on the Started and Seasoned levels, and break down how these tests work. Emily shares insights on what handlers can expect, how HRC compares to AKC retriever tests, and why the HRC community is such a welcoming space for newcomers. If you've ever wondered whether your pointing breed bird dog could participate in HRC...

In this episode in my series of Tales of Accidental Bird Dogs, I chat with Vanessa Carmean about the unexpected journey that started with her first German Shorthaired Pointer, Camo. After years with Labradors and a family health scare, Vanessa and her husband chose a pointing breed—though she had no idea what she was getting into.

What began as a plan to do a little dove hunting turned into something much bigger. Vanessa shares how Camo's first Junior Hunter test revealed his natural talent, sparking her curiosity and passion for pointing dog training. Armed with YouTube an...

In this week's episode, I interviewed Amanda Gruhn about her incredible win at the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America's National Amateur Gun Dog Championship this year. Amanda shares the inspiring journey of how she and her dog Penny prepared for this prestigious field trial—from early training techniques to the challenges they overcame along the way. We dive into the strategies that helped make Penny rock-solid in the field, the importance of handling, and how Amanda dealt with her nerves while at the event. Whether you're a seasoned field trialer or just like a good success story, you'll ce...

  In this episode, we dive deep into the path toward earning AKC Field Champion (FC) and Amateur Field Champion (AFC) titles for pointing breeds. I break down the point schedule in detail, explain retrieving credits, and clarify how juvenile points factor into the journey. Plus, we explore the amateur-to-open crossover points. If you're looking for a quick guide of how to earn AKC field trial titles, this is it!    The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast covers hunting events for pointing breeds. We are sponsored by onX Hunt and Elevate Pet Provisions. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.

In this episode, I interview Chris Ingram, Marketing Promotions Manager for the United Kennel Club, to talk about the rich legacy of The American Field—a cornerstone publication in the pointing dog world since 1874. We dive into its evolution and the exciting launch of its next chapter: the American Field Sportsman's Journal.

This newly revamped 100-page printed magazine honors the 151-year tradition while bringing fresh energy to the stories and heritage of hunting and working dogs. From bird dogs and retrievers to hounds and beagles, the AFSJ celebrates the enduring bond between hunters and their canine companions th...

  Jerry DeRose, AKC retriever hunt test judge, joins me again to talk about the Senior Hunter level. We discuss the differences between Junior and Senior and what kind of training your dog needs in order to pass the SHR level. These are challenging tests but could be a good option for a pointing dog who is experienced with blind retrieves or has run the NAVHDA Invitational.   You can get in touch with Jerry on Facebook at Calm Focused K9s – DeRose Kennels. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast covers hunting events for pointing breeds. We are sponsored by onX Hunt and...

Dan Wittman, NAVHDA's Director of Testing, joins me to talk about the new Gun Dog Test, which replaces the Utility Preparatory Test. We discuss how this test is designed to keep NAVHDA members engaged after the Natural Ability level and seems to be a positive change for the organization. Tune in to hear how the Gun Dog Test works and how it's different from the old UPT.   To get in touch with Dan, you can email him at testdirector@navhda.org. The revised Aims Programs Test Rules book can be downloaded at navhda.org/aims-programs-test-rules   The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast co...

In the second installment of Tales of Accidental Bird Dogs, we sit down with Cristina Ralph, a passionate dog owner and trainer who's fully embraced the world of bird dogs.

Cristina is the proud owner of three dogs: two German Shorthaired Pointers, Greta and Blaise, and a Deutsch Kurzhaar named Wednesday. Before diving into bird dog training, Cristina spent years working with Siberian Huskies in pulling sports. When she sought a versatile running partner, she found exactly what she was looking for – and then some – with Greta, her first GSP.

Cristina shares her journey from the...

Professional handler and trainer Tammy Chaffee of Pioneer Kennels joins me to talk about Cover Dog trials. These are unique walking field trials run on wild grouse and woodcock under UKC/American Field rules. In this episode, we explore how these trials differ from traditional horseback trials with pen-raised birds, what judges are looking for, and the unpredictable challenges of working in thick cover. 

You can get in touch with Tammy via her Pioneer Kennels Facebook page. 

For more information about Cover Dog trials, check out the Cover Dog Field Trial Message Board or the Co...

In this episode, we dive into the world of AKC hunting tests for retrievers, with a focus on the Junior level. Originally designed for retriever breeds like Labradors and Goldens, these tests are open to pointing breeds as well. If your dog has a solid retrieve and a strong obedience foundation, they could be a great fit for these tests. I sit down with Jerry DeRose, an experienced AKC hunting test judge from Minnesota, to break down the different components of the test and share tips on how to set your dog up for success.

To get...

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my journey to become an AKC hunting test judge for pointing breeds. I walk through the requirements for becoming a judge, share my experience apprenticing at a recent hunting test, and reflect on the key takeaways from the experience. Tune in for insights into the judging process, what I learned along the way, and why I enjoyed watching the dogs and handlers.

In the intro, I mention the scentwork course I am hosting with Tamara from Canine Development & Testing and Mike from Ugly Dog Hunting. The course...