Episodes

  • The Puppy Foundation Behind a National Champion

    The Puppy Foundation Behind a National Champion
    Jun 17 2026
    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 property. Instead, he relies on access to a hunting club, a loft of homing pigeons, an e-bike, and a clear vision for what he wants his dogs to become. We dive into how he structures a puppy's first year, the bird work he introduces early on, and why his approach differs from what many handlers are doing. Whether your goal is field trials, hunt tests, or simply developing a confident bird dog, you'll find practical insights into how early experiences can shape a dog's future performance. If you've ever wondered whether you need professional-level resources to produce a high-performing bird dog, this conversation may change your perspective. You can reach John by email at imageline@sbcglobal.net. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the @herupland Podcast Network and sponsored by @onxhunt.
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    59 mins
  • Breeding Bird Dogs

    Breeding Bird Dogs
    May 27 2026

    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 part of the HerUpland Podcast Network and sponsored by OnX Hunt.
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • How to Start Training for Hunt Tests/Field Trials

    How to Start Training for Hunt Tests/Field Trials
    May 13 2026

    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 can be downright overwhelming at times, because I was in that same boat when I started. This podcast will offer some ideas to help you get started. If you're a long-time listener to the podcast, this may be review for you. However, perhaps you know someone who is new who you can share it with or get some ideas on how to help them.

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    The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland Podcast Network and sponsored by OnX Hunt.
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    32 mins
  • The Vizsla Club of America National Gun Dog Championship: Post-Event Recap

    The Vizsla Club of America National Gun Dog Championship: Post-Event Recap
    Apr 22 2026
    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.

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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • The Vizsla Club of America National Gun Dog Championship: Preparing for the Event

    The Vizsla Club of America National Gun Dog Championship: Preparing for the Event
    Apr 8 2026

    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.

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • What It Takes to Train Your Dog for Different Levels

    What It Takes to Train Your Dog for Different Levels
    Mar 25 2026

    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 (I know I did!). This episode discusses some general guidelines on the amount of time and effort you should expect to invest in order to reach the various levels.
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    The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland Podcast Network and is sponsored by OnX Hunt.

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    31 mins
  • Tales of Accidental Bird Dogs: Emily Delaplain

    Tales of Accidental Bird Dogs: Emily Delaplain
    Mar 11 2026
    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 new puppy, a Wirehaired Vizsla named Kanyon, for the NAVHDA Natural Ability test and being a wild bird dog. I'm sure you'll enjoy listening to Emily's story. You can follow her on Facebook at Backcountry Antler Dogs and on Instagram at @backcountry_versatile_dogs. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is part of the HerUpland Podcast Network and is sponsored by OnX Hunt.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Burnout in Bird Dog Training

    Burnout in Bird Dog Training
    Feb 25 2026
    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 realities of pursuing these hobbies with our bird dogs. You can find Heather on Facebook or Instagram at @hlw_outdoors. -- The Accidental Bird Dog Podcast is sponsored by OnX Hunt and part of the HerUpland Podcast Network.
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    59 mins