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Zara and Colombo on the beach

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Things to Consider When Getting Another Dog

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Protective Clothing & Gear for Hunting Dogs February 15, 2023
How to Start Training for Hunt Tests/Field Trials With Your Bird Dog March 31, 2023
Tips for the NAVHDA Utility Test January 16, 2023
Product Review: Scheels Outfitters Performance Dog Hunting Vest May 19, 2023

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Diet isn’t everything, but I think it makes a di

Diet isn’t everything, but I think it makes a difference in how Zara performs. This is a rundown of her raw diet and the other supplements I use to keep her going strong at 10 years old. The video cut off, but we also started Adequan about 2 months ago. She was diagnosed with very mild hip arthritis over the summer and although she’s not showing symptoms, I thought it would be helpful to slow the progression of the disease especially since she’s still competing.
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#rawfeddog #perfectlyrawsome #goldenpaste #bonebroth #vizsla #10yearsyoung #fitdog

To celebrate Small Business Saturday, I’m offeri

To celebrate Small Business Saturday, I’m offering discounts on two of my services. 🛍️

Coaching: One-on-one virtual coaching sessions for pointing breed dog owners to help you succeed in hunt tests and field trials. Are you looking to enter your dog in a Junior Hunter or Natural Ability test soon? Or move to the intermediate/advanced level after doing these events? Visit accidentalbirddog.com/coaching for more info or send me a DM.

All coaching packages are $50 off. Must schedule the introductory meet and greet by December 1st.

Portraits: I also draw realistic colored pencil portraits of dogs from photographs. I’m offering $50 off any size drawing. More details at accidentalbirddog.com/portraits. Must reserve your spot on my waitlist by December 1st.

Thanks for supporting a small business. 😊
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#smallbusinesssaturday #womanowned #birddogtraining #hunttests #fieldtrials #dogart #dogportrait #artist 📸 by @kristenmurrayphotography

Podcast episode 21 is live: National Bird Dog Even

Podcast episode 21 is live: National Bird Dog Events. 🎙️

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.

Are you planning on attending a national event with your dog in 2024?
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The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by @onxhunt, @bossshotshells, and @toyota. We are part of the @herupland podcast network.
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#accidentalbirddogpodcast #dogpodcast #dogsports #akcfieldtrials #fieldtrialdog #hunttests #navhda #nstra #huntingdog #birddog #ukcfieldtrials

Zara’s first Junior Hunter test, December 2015,

Zara’s first Junior Hunter test, December 2015, age 2. 🐦

Although I wouldn’t realize it until much later, that weekend changed everything for me. This test was the catalyst toward taking the road less traveled, going down the path of becoming someone enamored with bird dog training and trialing.

What was clear at the time, however, was that I had something special on my hands. I just had to decide what to do with it.
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#juniorhunter #akchunttests #vizsla #accidentalbirddog #birddogoftheday #birddogtraining #huntingdog

This weekend, we ventured north to the Mason Dixon

This weekend, we ventured north to the Mason Dixon GSP Club’s field trial in PA. Zara ran in Amateur Gun Dog Retrieving and earned 3rd place. Since it was a major stake, she got the last retrieving credit she needs for her AFC title. She still needs a few points to finish, but it’s nice to have the retrieving requirement out of the way.

Takeaways:
These were new grounds to us, and I liked them for the most part. Pretty flat, easy to walk, and fairly open. There were a lot of turns and tight chutes you had to go through, too, which I didn’t love because I think it shortened her range.

Zara found 3 birds and her first two points were very stylish. No creeping at all on those. On the third find, it took her a minute to pin it down so she was stalking around before stopping.

She didn’t move at all when the birds flushed and I shot my blank pistol. However, she took steps right before I grabbed her collar each time instead of remaining in place. This is something we’ve had issues with before and I really need to nip it in the bud.

There were callbacks for retrieving and she had a very clean retrieve - straight out and back with one command. However, I released her to retrieve with a verbal fetch instead of walking to her and tapping her on the head. I need to get back in the habit of doing that.

It was a horseback stake and we were the last brace without a bracemate likely due to the fact that I was walking. While Zara doesn’t necessarily need a bracemate to run well, she is competitive, so I think having a bracemate can make her push a little harder. Her range was good, but not as far as I’ve seen before. Some of this likely had to do with the new course and technical turns. There were a few times when she stopped and looked at me like, is this the right way to go?

Everyone was very nice and welcoming even though I had never met most of them before.

Thanks to judges Charlie Zito and Stephanie Snyder for the placement and the MDGSP club for putting on a nice trial!
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#fieldtrialdog #akcfieldtrials #vizsla #huntingdog #birddog #ownerhandler #herupland #zarahatesphotos

Zara and I had a great time at our first field tri

Zara and I had a great time at our first field trial of the season. She placed first on Friday in Open Limited Gun Dog Retrieving for another point toward her FC title. And today she earned second place in Open Walking Gun Dog Retrieving. She had solid runs both days, although today we had a few interesting moments including me seeing a snake while she was on point! 😳

One thing I was happy with was how she waited until I grabbed her collar after every bird to start moving. That’s one thing I’ve struggled with, especially transitioning from heeling her off a bird like we did all summer for NAVHDA. We’ve been practicing the collar grab frequently and it’s made a difference. Although the placements are certainly nice, I enjoy seeing when specific training pays off in competition too.

Thank you to judges Kathy Shorter, Sharon Townley, and Kevin Culver, as well as excellent gunner Phil Townley. Thanks to the Slate River Bird Dog Club of Virginia for putting on another enjoyable trial!
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#akcfieldtrial #fieldtrialdog #goodgirl #vizsla #birddog #huntingdog #herupland | 📷 by @tobewildandwonderful

The nice thing about Zara being done with NAVHDA t

The nice thing about Zara being done with NAVHDA testing is that I don’t need to ignore decoys anymore. She can fetch them for me instead! 😄
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#duckhunting #duckdog #versatilechampion #vizsla #retriever #birddogoftheday

Field trial season kicks off for us this weekend.

Field trial season kicks off for us this weekend. Here are my goals for the season:

1. See new grounds. 🌾 There are only so many places where AKC field trials are run around here and even after only doing this for two years, I’ve been to most of them once, if not multiple times. This year I’m seeking out places where Zara hasn’t run before. I think she enjoys new grounds and I like the challenge of a new place. We’re visiting two new locations this fall and hopefully two more in the spring.

2. Have fun with my 10 year old dog. 🐕 Who knew we’d make it this far, especially after she got injured this summer. She loves running and I love handling her, so we’re going to try to enjoy the ride.

3. Continue to refine my handling skills and training techniques. 🐦 I always learn something when I go to a field trial, especially if I get to watch other people run their dogs. I get inspired to try new things in training, too.

4. Finish Zara’s FC and AFC titles. 🏅 This is last on purpose, because it is not my primary focus. Of course I want the titles. I love goals and accomplishing things. But this is not the main reason I’m competing.

I know some of you are running field trials now as well. What are your goals?
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#fieldtrialseason #fieldtrialdog #akcfieldtrials #vizsla #dogsports #birddogoftheday

📷 by Ted Wentink

New podcast episode! 🎙️ This episode explains

New podcast episode! 🎙️ This episode explains National Shoot to Retrieve Association (NSTRA) field trials. I interviewed Matthew Bass, a NSTRA judge and the owner of @stackedupkennels, who has been involved in the NSTRA world almost his whole life! We discuss how NSTRA trials are set up, how they are scored, and what your dog needs to do to earn a placement.

Do you run NSTRA trials with your dog?
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The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by @onxhunt, @bossshotshells, and @toyota. We are part of the @herupland family of podcasts.
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#accidentalbirddogpodcast #dogpodcast #dogsports #akcfieldtrials #fieldtrialdog #hunttests #navhda #nstra #huntingdog #birddog #ukcfieldtrials

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