WATCH on YouTube | https://youtu.be/wNS9TLk7Lno

-

In Part 3 of the Iron Oak Steadiness Series, we leave the post and take your dog to the field. But not for hunting just yet. We’re drilling everything—from whoa, flush, and shot, to rewarding restraint, randomizing retrieves, and even introducing visual backing.

🔶 What You’ll Learn in Part 3:

~How to teach steadiness in drive (not just in drills)

~The power of room service rewards vs. marked retrieves

~Using e-collar pressure during real bird contacts (safely)

~Creating dogs that expect the unexpected (so they stay steady)

~Correcting vocalization without hurting intensity

~Teaching backing as a visual cue, not a scenting accident

~Managing your setups, wind, and expectations

~Real-world tips: dummy birds in your vest, missed shots, communication with gunners

➡️ If your dog can handle this phase, they’re nearly a finished bird dog.

🛠️ Recommended Gear & Training Courses:

StandingStoneSupply.com — use code GDIY at checkout to save 15%.

🔗 Useful Links:Watch the full series → [https://linkly.link/2ByWe]

Join Patreon for early access → patreon.com/gundogityourself

01:00 | Establishing Point Under High Prey Drive

02:12 | Room Service Rewards vs. Marked Retrieve Drive

03:50 | Soft Points Explained: Why Control Lowers Intensity

05:01 | Patience Over Pressure: Don’t Rush the Flush

06:01 | Whoa Means Wait: Reps with Gunfire and Restraint

07:23 | When to Use the E-Collar During Bird Contact

10:18 | Real Hunting ≠ Training Drills: Why “Contrived” is Good

13:13 | Dealing with Vocalization During Steadiness Training

14:05 | Adding Complexity: Shots, Staggered Flushes, and Utility Prep

15:44 | Breaking the A-B-C Pattern: Randomizing Rewards to Prevent Anticipation

17:08 | Shooting Live Birds: When to Pay, When to Withhold

18:06 | Why keep Birds in Your Vest = Insurance Policy

22:02 | Missed the Bird? Still Pay the Steady Dog

24:01 | From Corrections to Consequences: Building a Finished Dog

25:31 | Teaching the Visual Cue: Backing Basics with Two Dogs

27:03 | Wind Direction, Setup, and Scent vs. Sight Triggers

31:04 | Stop to Flush → Stop to Dog = Backing Without Pressure

32:49 | Final Wrap-Up: Use What Works, Ditch What Doesn’t, Subscribe, Comment & Join Patreon

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WATCH on YouTube | https://linkly.link/2CGYo

-

The whoa post is where steadiness truly begins for Nate Czarnota of Iron Oak Dog Company.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WATCH on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CE7T6FtXTEY

-

Before you teach “whoa,” make sure your bird dog understands this.

In Part 1 of the Iron Oak Steadiness Series, we break down the foundation every pointing dog needs before formal steadiness training begins.

From sight-based drills and scent cone setup to using remote bird launchers the right way, this episode walks you through the most overlooked step in teaching dogs how to reliably hold point—without losing drive or confidence.

-

🔶 What You’ll Learn in Part 1:

~How to build steadiness before the "whoa" command

~The #1 mistake bird dog trainers make with remote launchers

~How to read subtle signs of scent acknowledgment and caution

~When (and why) to launch birds early

~The difference between controlling drive vs. channeling it

~Smart timing, setup, and bird contact management

~When NOT to use the e-collar in early pointing work

➡️ Whether you're training for NAVHDA, AKC, or hunting season, these foundation drills are crucial for building a rock-solid pointing dog.

🧪 This is Part 1 of 3 in our steadiness training series. Watch this first to avoid common pitfalls and build toward a fully steady dog.

17:32 | Using Remote Launchers to Simulate Wild Bird Behavior

18:37 | The Art of Scent Cone Setup for Young Dogs

20:06 | Reading Dog Behavior: Subtle Cues That Signal Point

21:48 | Chasing Can Be a Reward—But Here’s How to Control It

23:06 | Why Fewer, Faster Reps Are More Effective in Steadying

24:33 | When Anticipation Builds Pointing Drive—Not Bad!

25:45 | Concealing Launchers: Scent Flow vs. Visibility

27:05 | Avoiding Superstitious Associations with the E-Collar

28:35 | Launcher Placement: Think Like Your Dog Sees

30:02 | Toad’s Field Run Begins: Timing, Chasing & Reward

32:33 | Fur vs. Feather: Can Dogs Tell the Difference?

33:38 | Pressure Triggers Flight—Creating Cause & Effect

36:01 | Why Early Launching Is Almost Never Too Early

36:54 | Sponsor Shoutout: Gear & Courses from Standing Stone

37:36 | When You Don’t Have Wild Birds—Train with Intention

38:37 | Don’t Use the E-Collar Yet: Avoiding Bird Aversions

40:42 | Pointing Complete? Pause Training, Build Drive Again

41:52 | Managing Heat, Fatigue & Contact Efficiency

43:27 | When the Setup Fails—Don’t Force a Point

44:37 | Avoid High-Stakes Corrections Without Context

45:31 | Tradeoffs in Training: Everything Costs Something

47:40 | Dogs Learn Best from Natural Failure and Correction

49:01 | Train Through Attrition: Let the Dog Fail, Then Succeed

50:29 | German vs. English Breeds—Teaching Point vs. Instinct

51:44 | Wrap-Up & What’s Next in Part Two of the Series

CONTACT:

Nick Adair | Gun Dog It Yourself | https://2ly.link/1vTif

Patreon | https://2ly.link/1vTic

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode touches on everything you need to know on the subject of spaying and neutering your dog.

--

Presented By:

Standing Stone Supply [Use Code: GDIY to save 15%]

Other Partners:

⁠Eukanuba⁠ // ⁠Bird Dog Society⁠

GDIY Links:

⁠Patreon⁠ // ⁠Instagram⁠ // ⁠Facebook⁠ // ⁠Website

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Ebstein of ⁠California Gun Dogs⁠ joins me to break down his experience and processes when it comes to trapping pigeons in an urban setting!

⁠⁠Joel's trap building Facebook video referenced in the episode.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Episode 136. Everything Pigeons Part 1⁠⁠

⁠⁠Episode 137. ⁠⁠Everything Pigeons Part 2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

--Presented By:

~Standing Stone Supply | https://2ly.link/1vThi | Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15%

Supported By:

~Marsh Wear Clothing | https://2ly.link/1yJ7n | Use Code 'MWGD15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save MORE!)

~Trulock Choke Tubes | https://2ly.link/1yJ7k | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10%

Other Partners:

⁠Eukanuba⁠

GDIY Links:

⁠Patreon⁠ // ⁠Instagram⁠ // ⁠Facebook⁠ // ⁠Website

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alston Peek makes his long awaited return to the podcast to recap his journey from qualifying in a NAVHDA Utility Test last year all the way to the Invitational Test held recently in New Mexico. A lot of honesty in this episode including what it's like to work so hard and fall just short of your intended target!

Episode References:

⁠91 Backing and Honoring⁠

⁠124 Backing Dummies⁠

---

Patreon and Partners:

Support the Podcast: ⁠PATREON⁠

Gear: ⁠STANDING STONE SUPPLY⁠⁠

⁠Other GDIY LINKS

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Horak of⁠ Cato Outdoors⁠ comes back on to talk puppies! We both recently got new puppies and thought it would be fun to sit down and talk about early development and "drills."

---

Patreon and Partners:

Support the Podcast | ⁠PATREON⁠

Gear | ⁠STANDING STONE SUPPLY⁠⁠

---

Episode References:

⁠Griz Cato Steadiness Videos⁠

⁠Ep. 146 Know Your Place!

⁠Other GDIY LINKS⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/kJ3KH7leThA

Tired of cookie-cutter dog training advice? In this episode, we dive deep with Stephanie Vachinsky of Method K9 to explore holistic dog training that goes beyond simple commands. Learn how to truly connect with your dog by understanding their drives, instincts, and individual needs. We're not just talking about "sit" and "stay" – we're uncovering the "why" behind canine behavior!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part 2 of my discussion with Jon and Jessica Hann back a while ago. This part of the episode we focused in on field work and keeping things SIMPLE!

Presented By:

~Standing Stone Supply | https://2ly.link/1vThi | Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15%

~onX Hunt Maps | https://2ly.link/1vThs | Use Code 'GDIY20' to save 20%

~Upland Gun Company | https://2ly.link/1vTiJ

---------------------------------------------

Supported By:

~Marsh Wear Clothing | https://2ly.link/1yJ7n | Use Code 'MWGD15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save MORE!)

~Trulock Choke Tubes | https://2ly.link/1yJ7k | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10%

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jon and Jessica Hann from join me to discuss their training program, clinics, and videos. They both truly value trying to educate the average dog trainer so they can train their own dogs themselves!

Presented By:

~Standing Stone Supply | https://2ly.link/1vThi | Use Code 'GDIY' to save 15%

~onX Hunt Maps | https://2ly.link/1vThs | Use Code 'GDIY20' to save 20%

~Upland Gun Company | https://2ly.link/1vTiJ

---------------------------------------------

Supported By:

~Marsh Wear Clothing | https://2ly.link/1yJ7n | Use Code 'MWGD15' to save 15% (Patreon Patrons save MORE!)

~Trulock Choke Tubes | https://2ly.link/1yJ7k | Use Code 'GDIY10' to save 10%

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices