Advertise on podcast: The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast

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

  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 physical needs, focusing on constructive thoughts, and setting layered goals—to make things a little easier the next time you handle your dog.   -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland Podcast Network and sponsored by onX Hunt.

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 @huntinginharmony. You can reach her by email at [email protected]. Her kennel is vom Zamora Deutsch Kurzhaars.   -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by onX Hunt. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.

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 of training you enjoy, your dog's natural strengths and weaknesses, and how much you like competition. Whether you're hoping to earn titles, join a supportive training community, or just give your dog a fun new challenge, this episode will help you find your starting point in the world of pointing dog events. This episode is also available in written form with links and photos! Check out https://accidentalbirddog.com/field-trials-vs-hunt-tests-vs-navhda-which-should-i-do-with-my-dog/ -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by onX Hunt. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.

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 age 10, he returned to competition, and Geri decided to give NAVHDA a try. Together, they achieved more than most could dream of. This conversation is not only about titles and achievements, but also about the bond between handler and dog, perseverance, and what's possible when our bird dogs remain healthy and motivated in their senior years. Ranger has been an inspiration to me personally, especially when I was deciding whether to retire my own dog, Zara, from NAVHDA events. If you've ever wondered what older dogs are capable of, this episode will leave you inspired. You can get in touch with Geri at [email protected]. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by onX Hunt. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.

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, named Frankie. We talk about her journey into the bird dog world, how life circumstances slowed down Fig's development a bit, and what she's done differently with Frankie. Adrienne's story is very relatable and I think you will enjoy it!  You can find Adrienne on Instagram at @mostlyfigandfran.  -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by onX Hunt and Elevate Pet Provisions. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.

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 upsides of this shift, the potential challenges it brings, and why, overall, this move could help keep field trials alive and more accessible for the next generation. You can find Paul on Facebook or email him at [email protected]. My online course: https://accidentalbirddog.learnworlds.com/ -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by onX Hunt and Elevate Pet Provisions. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.

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 program: https://accidentalbirddog.com/group-coaching/ My online course: https://accidentalbirddog.learnworlds.com/ -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by onX Hunt and Elevate Pet Provisions. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.

  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 Podcast is sponsored by onX Hunt and Elevate Pet Provisions. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.

  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 passion—and how that decision has shaped her life with her dogs.   You can visit Kelli's website at https://www.quantonas.com, follow her on Instagram at @quantonas_irish, or find her on Facebook at Kelli Aitken-Thompson. Her husband, Clayton's, YouTube channel is @RedbeardOutdoors-IrishSetters.  -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by onX Hunt and Elevate Pet Provisions. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.

  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 made, so hopefully you find this useful!  -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and Elevate Pet Provisions. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.

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 hunt tests—the answer is yes, and this episode is for you. You can follow Emily on Instagram at @horizonretrievers or @shorthairsandshotguns. Her website is horizonretrievers.com.  For more information about HRC tests, visit hrc.dog.  The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and Elevate Pet Provisions. We are part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.