Dog Driven Podcast

Joint health is about a lot more than hip dysplasia — and orthopedic disease doesn’t only affect senior dogs. In this Wellness Wednesday deep dive, we’re breaking down the joint and bone conditions every sporting, working, and performance dog owner should know about, from puppyhood through the senior years. We’ll cover hip and elbow dysplasia, osteoarthritis, cruciate ligament disease, OCD, patell...

Is hip dysplasia really just a genetic problem? In this Myth Buster Monday episode, we break down one of the most common misconceptions surrounding canine orthopedic health. Genetics absolutely matter — but they’re only one piece of a much bigger picture. We’re talking about how growth, body condition, nutrition, exercise, development, and environment can all influence orthopedic health, why even...

You have an incredible female. You find the most accomplished stud you can—the titles, the pedigree, the performance record, the genetics. Breed the best to the best and you should get even better puppies… right? Not necessarily. In the final installment of The Genetics of a Performance Dog , we’re taking everything we’ve learned throughout this series and asking the question that ultimately matte...

If an incredible dog appears multiple times in a pedigree, are you really “locking in” the traits that made that dog great? Not exactly. In Part 3 of our Wellness Wednesday series, The Genetics of a Performance Dog , we’re diving into one of the most debated topics in dog breeding: linebreeding, inbreeding, COI, and genetic diversity. Breeders have used linebreeding for generations to create consi...

Dogs Eat Grass Because Their Stomach Is Upset… Right? 🌱🐕 We’ve all heard it: “If your dog is eating grass, their stomach must be upset.” But is grass-eating really a reliable sign of nausea? On this episode of Myth Buster Monday , we’re digging into why this common behavior is a lot more complicated than it seems. While gastrointestinal discomfort can play a role, dogs may eat grass for a variet...

What makes a hunting dog unforgettable? In this episode of Dog Driven , Whitney sits down with LaDell Gee to talk about the dog behind some of his most memorable days in the field— Nova . LaDell shares Nova’s story from the beginning, including how she came into his life, her development as a hunting dog, the challenges they worked through, and the moments when everything started to click. We dive...

The Genetics of a Performance Dog — Part 2: Clear Genetics = Healthy Dog? Your dog's DNA panel came back completely clear. Green checkmarks across the board. So that means your dog is genetically healthy… right? Not necessarily. In Part 2 of our Wellness Wednesday series, The Genetics of a Performance Dog , we're digging into what genetic testing actually tells us—and, just as importantly, what it...

The Genetics of a Performance Dog — Part 1: Good Parents = Good Puppies? If you breed two phenomenal working dogs, you’re guaranteed phenomenal puppies… right? Not exactly. In Part 1 of my Wellness Wednesday series, The Genetics of a Performance Dog , we’re breaking down one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding breeding: that great parents automatically produce great puppies. We’ll explore ho...

Is your dog constantly licking their paws, scratching their ears, or battling recurring skin infections? What if allergies aren't actually where the problem begins? In this in-depth Wellness Wednesday masterclass, we're diving into one of the most overlooked topics in canine health—the skin barrier . Understanding how your dog's skin functions could completely change the way you think...

Is an exhausted dog really a well-conditioned dog? In this week's Myth Buster Monday , we're breaking down one of the biggest myth's in the sporting dog world: a tired dog is always a trained or fit dog. Fatigue and fitness are not the same thing. Just because your dog comes home worn out after training doesn't necessarily mean they're building strength, endurance, or becoming...

When you're miles from the truck and your dog gets injured, every second matters. In this episode of Dog Driven , Whitney sits down with Geoffrey Greiner , founder of Covey Kits , to discuss why canine first aid should be considered essential gear for every hunting trip—not an afterthought. From heat illness and snake bites to torn pads, lacerations, and other field emergencies, Geoffrey share...

Walk into any pet store and you'll find shelves lined with joint supplements promising to keep your dog active for years to come—but is glucosamine really worth the investment? In this episode of Myth Buster Monday , we're separating marketing from medicine. We'll break down what glucosamine actually does, what the current research says, and which dogs are most likely to benefit. You&#...

When we think about canine performance, we often focus on conditioning, nutrition, and training—but one of the most influential performance systems is one we rarely see: the gut. In this Wellness Wednesday episode of Dog Driven , we're taking a deep dive into the fascinating science of the gut-brain connection and exploring how your dog's digestive health impacts far more than just digesti...

When most people hear the word inflammation , they immediately think of something negative. But the truth is, inflammation isn't the enemy—it's one of the body's most important tools for healing, adaptation, and performance. In this Wellness Wednesday episode of Dog Driven , we're taking a deep dive into the science behind inflammation and why understanding it may be one of the mos...

In this inaugural Myth Buster Monday episode of the Dog Driven Podcast, I'm taking a deep dive into one of the most controversial topics in canine nutrition. From the rise of grain-free diets to the FDA's investigation into diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), I'll separate fact from fiction and explore what the current research actually tells us. I'll discuss: What "...

In this episode of Dog Driven , we're taking a deep dive into why the off-season is one of the most important parts of building a healthy, confident, and resilient canine athlete. Whether you hunt over your dog, compete in hunt tests or field trials, participate in agility or dock diving, or simply want your dog to live a longer, healthier life, what you do between seasons matters. We'll d...

Water is one of the most powerful performance tools available to your canine athlete, yet it's often the most overlooked. In this episode of Dog Driven , we're exploring why hydration is about much more than a water bowl. You'll learn how proper hydration supports endurance, muscle function, temperature regulation, and recovery, along with practical strategies to help your dog stay hyd...

What separates a good dog vest from one that's built to perform? In this episode of Dog Driven , I sit down with Austin Koile of ReKoile Outdoors to explore the thought, testing, and innovation behind designing gear for the dogs that give us everything in the field. We dive into what makes a quality retriever vest, why proper fit matters, and how vest design can influence a dog's comfort,...

They may be small, but ticks can have a massive impact on your dog's health, performance, and even your hunting season. In this episode of Dog Driven , we're taking a deep dive into one of the most overlooked threats facing sporting and working dogs. We'll cover the most common tick species, the diseases they carry, how infections occur, what clinical signs to watch for, and why early...

What starts with a dog often turns into something much bigger. In this episode of Dog Driven , I sit down with Ed Lynn from Bracey, Virginia, to talk about his journey into the world of Boykin Spaniels, hunt tests, and the community that keeps us all coming back to the line. Ed shares how his passion for dogs evolved from growing up around hunting dogs to training and running his own Boykin Spanie...

From competition coonhounds and racehorses to Master Hunters and professional retriever training, Blake Haddock's journey through the dog world spans more than 35 years. In this episode of Dog Driven, I sit down with Blake, owner and head trainer of Feather Point Retrievers, to discuss his path into dog training, the dogs that shaped his career, and how he built one of the country's most r...

Understanding Diagnostic Tests Part 2: Urinalysis, Radiology & Ultrasound Spotify Episode Description: Bloodwork is only one piece of the diagnostic puzzle. In Part 2 of the Understanding Diagnostic Tests series, we're diving into three of the most valuable tools veterinarians use to uncover what's happening beneath the surface: urinalysis, radiology, and ultrasound . In this episode, Whitney...

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. Tog...

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 looki...

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, c...