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What happens when a Geek Squad technician with an obsessive personality meets a college-educated bird hunter? For Ethan and Kat of Standing Stone Kennels, this unlikely combination sparked a remarkable journey from amateur dog owners to renowned German Shorthair Pointer breeders and trainers.

Their story begins with pure passion. After acquiring their first GSP in 2009, Ethan's meticulous nature took over—watching videos, reading books, working with dogs at every opportunity, even staying unpaid hours at a training facility just to absorb more knowledge. What started as curiosity evolved into opportunity when they moved to Kansas, intending for Ethan to manage grocery stores while training dogs as a hobby. Within months, demand for their training skills transformed their side gig into a thriving full-time business.

What truly sets Standing Stone Kennels apart is their crystal-clear vision: producing "family-oriented versatile hunting companions." Unlike traditional approaches where hunting dogs might be viewed primarily as tools kept in outdoor kennels, Standing Stone prioritizes dogs that excel in both field performance and home life. This philosophy shapes everything from their breeding selections to training methods, creating GSPs that can seamlessly transition from pointing birds to relaxing with family.

The conversation dives deep into the technical aspects of versatile gun dog training, exploring the significant differences between American-bred GSPs and German imports (DKs), socialization practices that create mentally stable dogs, and the critical balance needed between consistency and variety in training. Their insights reveal how thoughtful breeding and proper training create dogs with ideal temperament—high drive in the field with an "off switch" at home.

Ready to apply Standing Stone's methods with your own dog? Visit their YouTube channel for free training videos, check out their comprehensive online courses, or browse their curated selection of training equipment at standingstonesupply.com. Better yet, consider attending one of their in-person seminars to experience their balanced training approach firsthand. Your bird dog—and your family—will thank you.

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In this fascinating conversation with Brent Cowley, Gunner's Event Marketing Specialist, we explore the science and passion behind what many consider the world's safest dog kennels. Brent takes us inside the company's patented double-walled rotomolded design – the only one of its kind – and describes testing that included throwing kennels off cliffs, shooting them with shotguns, and crushing tests where the kennel actually broke a 7,000-pound industrial vice.

The real power of this conversation comes through the stories. Brent shares emotional testimonials from customers whose dogs walked away unharmed from horrific accidents, including rollover crashes where the kennel prevented the truck bed from collapsing into the cab. Beyond crash protection, we explore how these kennels manage temperature extremes, keeping dogs comfortable in both scorching heat and sub-freezing conditions.

There's something special about a company whose mission centers entirely on safety. As Brent explains, "We exist for dogs to be safe." This philosophy extends beyond kennels to everything Gunner creates, from their popular food crates to their newest offerings like bowls and bumpers. Each product must earn the title of "man's best whatever-it-is" before reaching customers.

Whether you're transporting a hunting companion, competition dog, or beloved family pet, this episode offers invaluable insights into keeping them safe on the road. Plus, Brent shares his personal hunting experiences and his journey training his own golden retriever, making this a must-listen for anyone who loves dogs and the outdoors.

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Ever wondered what separates championship gun dogs from the rest? Kenneth Witt sits down with Pieter Vivijs and Laura Lazzaretto, Belgian retriever experts with decades of experience breeding, training, and judging at the highest levels of European competition, including the prestigious International Gundog League (IGL).

This fascinating conversation reveals striking differences between European and American approaches to training and competitions. Laura shares her 25-year journey breeding golden retrievers, transitioning from show lines to working dogs that compete at elite levels. The couple's expertise is evident as they explain how European field trials differ from American events, with continental competitions divided between working tests (using dummies) and field trials (during actual shooting days with real game).

What truly sets this episode apart is their refreshingly straightforward training philosophy. While many trainers rely on treats and clickers, Pieter and Laura have achieved international championships using only verbal praise: "Good boy, good girl, that's it." They argue that treats often become bribes rather than rewards, emphasizing that proper timing and connection with your dog matter infinitely more than training gadgets.

Perhaps the most valuable insight comes when discussing what they look for in puppies. Laura identifies "ability to recover" as her top priority – a dog's willingness to try again after making mistakes rather than shutting down. This quality, combined with trainability and connection to the handler, creates the foundation for both championship competitors and excellent family hunting companions.

Whether you're a seasoned trainer or just starting with your first retriever, this transatlantic perspective offers valuable lessons applicable to any training program. The episode concludes with a thoughtful comparison between golden retrievers and Labradors, emphasizing their belief that "a good dog never has the wrong breed or color." Visit www.thinktwicegoldenretriever.be to learn more about their program and follow their competition journey.

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Wayne Lain, known professionally as "Snake Breaker," brings over two decades of specialized expertise to this compelling episode of Gundog Nation. Having trained thousands of dogs to avoid dangerous encounters with venomous reptiles, Wayne shares the methodology that has potentially saved countless canine lives throughout Texas and beyond.

The conversation dives deep into the science and psychology behind effective snake avoidance training. Wayne meticulously explains how he uses live Western Diamondback rattlesnakes (safely defanged and secured) to create powerful learning experiences for dogs. Rather than relying on commands, this unique training approach creates direct associations between the snake's presence and a negative stimulus, teaching dogs to recognize and avoid danger through their natural senses of sight, smell, and hearing.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is Wayne's candid discussion of emergency protocols. He outlines a comprehensive strategy for dealing with potential snake bites - from the importance of rattlesnake vaccines to maintaining calm during emergencies, and researching veterinary facilities before traveling to snake-prone hunting areas. His first-hand experience with a snake bite lends authenticity to his advice, offering listeners rare insights into proper response techniques.

Beyond the technical aspects, Wayne shares heartwarming stories of dogs whose lives were saved by his training methods. From retrievers refusing to pick up bumpers near hidden rattlesnakes to pets alerting their owners to dangerous serpents in yards and on trails, these real-world examples demonstrate the practical value of proper snake avoidance training.

Whether you're a dedicated hunter working dogs in snake country or simply a concerned pet owner living in an area where venomous snakes are present, this episode provides essential knowledge that could potentially save your dog's life. Tune in to learn from one of the most respected specialists in this critical but often overlooked aspect of canine safety and training.

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Ben Randall, double British National Field Trial Champion and creator of the revolutionary BG method, challenges traditional training approaches in this eye-opening conversation. Drawing from decades of experience training hundreds of dogs and teaching thousands of handlers worldwide, Randall reveals how psychology-driven training produces exceptional results without harsh corrections.

At the heart of Randall's approach is a profound shift in perspective—training the human first, then the dog. "Many people talk about dog psychology and training with dog psychology. Well, I don't really buy into that," he explains. "The people training the dog are humans. If a trainer can understand human psychology first, how to implement those training methods to the client, that's a far better way of doing it."

Randall's innovative mealtime training method transforms how puppies learn core commands. By using feeding opportunities to teach directional work, puppies master complex handling skills months before traditional training would begin. This foundation creates young dogs capable of performing like seasoned veterans, all while building an unbreakable handler-dog bond.

Perhaps most controversial is Randall's stance against unlimited freedom for young dogs. "If I give a puppy freedom twice daily, that's 60 sessions a month I've taught that dog to find enjoyment without me," he notes, explaining how this creates the recall and steadiness problems handlers later struggle to fix. Instead, structured engagement with clear boundaries produces dogs that naturally want to remain connected.

Whether you're training your first gun dog or have handled dozens, Randall's methods challenge conventional wisdom while producing undeniable results. Download his BG Gundog App or find his book "How to Train Your Gundog" to dive deeper into a system that's transforming the gun dog world one meal at a time.

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A deadly parasite spread by kissing bugs is silently attacking hunting dogs across America, and most owners have no idea their dogs are at risk until it's too late. In this eye-opening conversation, Kenneth Witt welcomes Rachel Busselman, a fourth-year veterinary student who earned her PhD researching Chagas disease at Texas A&M University.

Rachel reveals alarming statistics from her years studying hunting kennels across Texas, where she discovered over 25% of previously healthy dogs became infected within a single year. The parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, primarily attacks the heart and can cause sudden death without warning signs or symptoms. Most troubling is that infected dogs often appear completely healthy until they suffer cardiac failure.

"We took our dog out to run, ran great, brought him back, was grabbing the food, came back to find he had had a heart attack," Rachel shares as one kennel owner's heartbreaking experience. Unlike common parasitic infections, Chagas disease doesn't respond to standard medications, and detection requires specialized blood tests that aren't part of routine veterinary examinations.

The geographic reach of this disease extends throughout the southern United States, with highest concentrations in Texas and Louisiana, though cases have been documented as far north as Nebraska. Approximately 50% of the kissing bugs that transmit the disease carry the parasite, creating a significant threat for dogs spending time outdoors.

For dog owners, Rachel provides crucial prevention advice, including using insecticides around kennels, changing outdoor lighting to red wavelengths that don't attract the bugs, and turning off unnecessary lights at night. While researchers work toward better treatments, awareness remains the best defense. If you find kissing bugs on your property, collect them safely and submit them for testing through Texas A&M's community science program at kissingbug.tamu.edu.

Don't wait until your hunting companion becomes another statistic. Listen now to learn how to identify, prevent, and respond to this hidden threat that's endangering our gundogs.

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Step into the fascinating world of champion coon hunting dogs with J.R. Gray, owner of what many consider the most successful stud dog in America today. Gray's Rack Em Willie boasts an unprecedented collection of titles – UKC World Night Hunt Champion, PKC Hunt Champion, AKC Supreme Grand Night Champion – all earned before his fourth birthday when Gray made the strategic decision to retire him for breeding.

Willie has since sired approximately 1,800 puppies, with many becoming champions themselves. Gray shares the unconventional wisdom that's made his program so successful: "Picking a pup is like a lottery ticket," he explains, and when it comes to breeding, "You never know what female is going to throw the best dogs." This refreshing honesty reveals why Gray has thrived while others struggle.

The conversation ventures into the practical aspects of maintaining elite hunting dogs – from nutrition (Gray swears by Purina ProPlan) to combating tick diseases that plague coon dogs. "That's probably 50% of the game now with coon dogs," Gray notes. "Fighting ticks, keeping them right, keeping them healthy." His insights on recognizing subtle health changes before they become serious problems demonstrate the deep connection between handler and dog.

We journey through the competitive circuit where events can pay $10,000 or more to winners, explore the regional strongholds of the sport (Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio), and even follow Gray's adventures bear hunting in West Virginia. Throughout, his passion for working dogs shines through: "I could care less about a coon. I just like watching the dog work."

Whether you're an experienced coon hunter or simply fascinated by the bond between humans and working dogs, this episode offers a rare glimpse into a world where heritage, skill, and passion intersect.

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From carving wooden decoys in Ontario to guiding hunts beneath dancing Northern Lights in Saskatchewan, Steve Strongman's waterfowling journey embodies the rich heritage of Canadian hunting traditions. As co-owner of The Waterfowl Dispatchers outfitting company, Steve offers a rare window into what makes Saskatchewan arguably the world's premier waterfowl destination.

What makes this conversation truly compelling is Steve's parallel journey as a first-time dog owner and trainer. Having never owned a dog before, Steve and his wife—a Florida transplant who traded sunshine for Canadian winters—decided to dive headfirst into the retriever world with their high-drive Fox Red Lab. Their training adventures with what Steve affectionately calls their "problem child" will resonate with anyone who's struggled with a challenging but promising hunting companion.

The episode explores fascinating contrasts between hunting traditions in different Canadian provinces, the remarkable diversity of Saskatchewan waterfowl, and how outfitting has evolved to accommodate dog-focused hunts where working retrievers takes priority over shooting limits. Steve shares captivating stories about hunting beneath the Northern Lights and creating once-in-a-lifetime photographs that capture the magic of dogs, wild places, and hunting heritage.

Whether you're interested in international hunting opportunities, training retrievers through structured programs, or simply enjoy listening to authentic conversations between passionate dog people, this episode delivers genuine insights from someone who bridges the Canadian and American hunting communities. Ready to experience the allure of prairie waterfowling or learn how structure and community can transform dog training challenges? This conversation might just inspire your next hunting adventure.

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In this engaging conversation, Kenneth Witt interviews Declan Boyle, a renowned gundog trainer from Ireland. Declan shares his journey into the world of gundogs, discussing the structure of national gundog teams, the importance of obedience in training, and the various competitions held across Europe. He also delves into the practices of hunting with retrievers, the regulations surrounding firearms in the UK, and his experiences as a judge in gundog competitions. Declan concludes by reflecting on his breeding career and the current state of his kennel. In this conversation, Kenneth Witt and Declan Boyle discuss various aspects of dog training and field trials, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right dog, the challenges of breeding, and the nuances of training and handling dogs for competitions. They share personal experiences, insights on what traits to look for in a field trial dog, and the significance of community engagement through charity events. The conversation also touches on the experiences of interacting with royalty in the gundog world and the cultural differences in dog trials between the UK and the US.

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In this engaging conversation, Kenneth Witt interviews Jeremy Moore of DogBone Training, a seasoned dog trainer and entrepreneur, who shares his journey from training his first hunting dogs to developing innovative products for dog training. The discussion covers the evolution of dog training, the growth of shed hunting as a sport, and the transition from retrievers to upland hunting. Jeremy emphasizes the importance of understanding dog behavior, the traits of a great hunting dog, and the significance of patience in training. He also explores the versatility of different dog breeds, particularly wirehaired breeds, and their unique capabilities in various hunting scenarios. In this conversation, Jeremy and Kenneth discuss various aspects of dog training, breeding, and nutrition. They explore the differences between retrievers and bird dogs, the evolution of dog breeding practices, and the importance of flexibility in training methods. Jeremy shares his experiences with breeding and raising puppies, as well as insights into dog nutrition and the supplements he uses to maintain their health. The discussion highlights the significance of understanding individual dog needs and adapting training and care accordingly.

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