The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast

Mike Neiduski, owner of Ugly Dog Hunting company and Senior NAVHDA judge, joins me to talk about becoming a NAVHDA judge. We discuss his experiences going through the Apprentice Program, including why he decided to become a judge, what it was like to apprentice for the first time, and what he enjoyed the most about being an apprentice. We also get into his journey becoming a Senior judge and what...

  Did you know that you can always handle your dog from foot in an AKC horseback field trial? In this episode I discuss some considerations and ways to prepare yourself to be a walking handler in a horseback stake. Even if you might be at a slight disadvantage, your dog can still be successful. The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by  OnX Hunt,   Boss Shotshells , and  Toyota.  We are part...

  I interviewed UFTA judge Brian Cooney about United Field Trialers Association field trials. We discussed the different divisions, the rules, and why he likes this field trial game over others.   You can find Brian on Instagram @wingshotandfall . For more information about UFTA, check out their website at ufta-online.com . The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by  OnX Hunt,   Boss Shotshel...

In this episode, I talk about running multiple kinds of events with your pointing dog. Some people say you can't run a field trial dog in hunt tests or NAVHDA and vice versa, but that's not always true. If you're going to transition between different types of events, what are some considerations to think about in training? How do you keep the rules straight? The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is spon...

This is the final part of a three-part series discussing the Jagdgebrauchshundverband (JGHV) testing system. I interviewed Cortney Schaefer about the VGP test, which is the finished versatile hunting dog test. This is a two-day test that encompasses 20+ test subjects and is typically run by dogs between 18 and 36 months of age. Cortney has been a JGHV judge since 2013 and currently owns and breeds...

This is part two of a three-part series discussing the Jagdgebrauchshundverband (JGHV) testing system. I interviewed Tanya Gates about the HZP test, which is the fall advanced natural ability test intended for dogs approximately 10 to 24 months. The HZP involves more training than the VJP but is not quite as involved as the finished dog VGP test. Tanya has an interesting perspective since she owns...

This episode kicks off a three-part series diving into the Jagdgebrauchshundverband (JGHV) testing system, which is often referred to as the "German testing" system in the U.S. I interviewed Jennifer Wapenski about the VJP test, which is the lowest level intended for puppies approximately 6 to 18 months. We discussed the different components of the test as well as some tips to have a successful te...

This week, I had a conversation with Jeremy Cormier of V3 Gun Dogs & Canine Academy in Lebanon, CT. Jeremy is a professional trainer who trains and runs bird dogs in hunt tests and field trials. We discussed the differences between handling your dog yourself or using a professional. Both can be a good option depending on your experience, the time you have, and your goals. Check out Jeremy and V3 G...

Recently, I attended an AKC field trial with my vizsla, Zara. In this episode, I go into detail about each of her runs so you can get a sense of the variety of situations that can happen when you are running your dog and how your decision-making can impact the outcome. There were good things, bad things, and thankfully, no ugly things – but a crazy situation with a bird I haven't seen before. The...

This episode continues my conversation with Laura Miller about AFTCA field trials. We cover how to earn titles, the community aspect of the trials, and technicalities involving relocating a dog on point and retrieving. You can reach out to Laura on Facebook through her  CH Lundy's Red Bull for American Field Hall of Fame  page. For more information on the AFTCA guidelines, check out the  Standards...

This episode covers AFTCA field trials, which are the amateur side of American Field (now owned by United Kennel Club). This is part one of my conversation with Laura Miller, an accomplished field trial competitor and judge. We discuss the different levels including Puppy, Derby, Shooting Dog, and All-Age and some key differences from AKC trials.  You can reach out to Laura on Facebook through her...

I'm doing someting a little different for my last episode of 2023. I collected questions from listeners and I'm answering them in this episode. How do I go about training backing? What are some things you can do to help your dog in a hunt test? Will I be getting another bird dog in the future? All of these are answered, and more!  The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by  OnX Hunt,   Boss S...

This week I'm discussing what it's like when you spend a season or several months of the year testing or trialing. How much travel is involved? What are the costs? What does a typical day look like at an event? The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by  OnX Hunt,   Boss Shotshells , and  Toyota.  We are part of the  HerUpland  Podcast Network. You can find me on the following platforms: Inst...

This episode dives into bird dog events on a national scale, such as the NAVHDA Invitational and the many national field trials. I discuss how they are different than local events and some considerations to think about if you want to enter one of them. The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by  OnX Hunt,   Boss Shotshells , and  Toyota.  We are part of the  HerUpland Podcast Network. You can...

This episode explains National Shoot to Retrieve Association (NSTRA) field trials. I interviewed Matthew Bass, a NSTRA judge and owner of Stacked Up Kennels , who has been involved in the NSTRA world since he was young child. We discuss how NSTRA trials are set up, how they are scored, and what your dog needs to do to earn a placement. The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by  OnX Hunt,   B...

In this episode, I interview Doug Ljungren, the Executive Vice President of Sports and Events at AKC. Doug and I talk about a brand-new event called the Master Hunter Excellent Test (MHX). This standards-based test is open to dogs who already have their Master Hunter titles. The rules and judging categories are a little different than the MH test and more emphasis is placed on the hunting ability...

Finding live upland birds as well as ducks can be a challenge, especially if bird growers in your area don't raise them year round. I discuss some alternatives to find birds for training, as well as some options if you aren't able to store birds long-term where you live.  The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by  OnX Hunt,   Boss Shotshells , and  Toyota.  We are part of the  HerUpland  fam...

Are you struggling to find a place to train your bird dog for hunting? It can be hard to find a suitable place. Before I got involved in NAVHDA in 2017, I spent a solid year trying to find a place to train Zara for hunting. This involved copious internet searches, Facebook messages, some emails, a few phone calls, and some site visits. It took me two more years to find a place I could access more...

This episode is not about one specific organization. Instead, I discuss the differences between the beginner/puppy level events and the intermediate/advanced levels. I go into the main components that you need to work on in order to be successful at the upper levels. The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by  OnX Hunt,   Boss Shotshells , and Toyota ! We are part of the  HerUpland  family of...

This is part two of my conversation with Grayson Guyer about United Kennel Club (UKC) field trials. In this episode, we get into the details about the Gun and Open classes: how they are judged, what titles you can earn, and the differences between the two. To get in contact with Grayson, visit his  website  or check him out on  Instagram . He also hosts his own podcast, the  Companion Gun Dog podc...

This episode features my first guest: Grayson Guyer, an experienced bird dog trainer who runs Lost Highway Kennels. Grayson and I discuss United Kennel Club (UKC) field trials and he provides some history about the beginning of the program. We also get into the Natural Ability (TAN) and Water Retrieve (WRT) tests. To get in contact with Grayson, visit his website or check him out on Instagram . He...

This episode details ways to help you prepare for the NAVHDA Invitational and set you and your dog up for success. I discuss tips for the field and water sections as well as mentally preparing for this big event! The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by  OnX Hunt  and  Boss Shotshells . We are part of the  HerUpland  family of podcasts. You can find me on the following platforms: Instagram...

This episode goes into detail about the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association's (NAVHDA) Invitational test, which is NAVHDA's highest level of hunt test. It's held once a year at various locations around the country. In this episode, I discuss the various parts of the test. The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by  OnX Hunt  and  Boss Shotshells . We are part of the  HerUpland  f...

This episode goes into detail about the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association's (NAVHDA) Utility test, which is a comprehensive test to evaluate finished versatile dogs. I cover the different parts of the test, how the scoring system works, and some tips to help you and your dog have the best experience possible. I also talk about the Utility Preparatory test, which is a scaled down ver...

This episode goes into detail about the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association's (NAVHDA) Natural Ability test, which is intended for dogs up to 16 months of age. I cover the different parts of the test, how the scoring system works, and some tips to help you and your dog have the best experience possible. The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by  OnX Hunt  and  Boss Shotshells ....