Sporting Dog Talk

Tom Dokken, inventor of the DeadFowl Trainer retrieving dummies, is one of the most well-known dog trainers in the world. He's also a wealth of information on all-things-related to training, and the owner of Oak Ridge Kennels. Gunfire introduction can be a make-or-break situation sometimes. Tom breaks down the do’s & don’ts to make sure you are giving your dog the best shot at being a gun dog.

Stephanie Jenson is a professional horse trainer who specializes in working with retired race horses. She's also a Certfied Evaluater for the American Kennel Club, and an accomplished dog trainer. Stephanie talks about how dog training and horse training are similar, the AKC testing programs she is a part of, recall training, and much more.

Michigan's, Keith McGregor, has been training dogs for four decades with the organization, Leader Dogs for the Blind. He also developed a first-of-its-kind training program to place guide dogs with deaf-blind individuals. We discuss the ins and outs of guide dog training and how it can relate to general dog and hunting dog training.

South Dakota's, Tina Dokken, is an avid upland and waterfowl hunter as well as a Labrador retriever fanatic. She's also married to Tom Dokken, who is one of the most accomplished dog trainers in the country. We cover everything puppy from water intro, retriever training drills, how to introduce a new pup to your family and other dogs, why it’s ok to make mistakes in puppy training, and much more. If you are a new dog owner, are thinking about getting a pup, or are just looking for general dog training tips, this is the podcast for you!

Tyce Erickson lives in Utah, where he owns and operates Utah Bird Dog Training. While he specializes in retriever training, Erickson is well known for handling all pointing breeds as well as non-hunting breeds. We cover all sorts of topics from what it’s like to train different breeds to pre-season tune-up tricks, basic obedience work, and much more. Check it out!

Aaron Joos owns Red Cedar Retrievers in Wisconsin where he not only trains bird dogs, but breeds Labs as well. Joos is a hunting dog specialist who prides himself on developing the best dogs possible whether they're destined for the duck blind, the CRP fields - or both. We discuss pre-season tune-ups, the importance of collar conditioning, and what you can do to increase the retrieve drive in your bird dog. This is a great one for all types of hunting dog owners.

Matt Mercereau is the owner of Overall Retriever Training, which is located in Illinois. He's an expert when it comes to developing quality sporting dogs to compete in Hunt Tests, or to excel in actual hunting environments - no matter the quarry. Matt explains his training process, how to seek out training help when you need it, and how to help your dog develop the right way.

Dr. Jon McRoberts is a Missouri native who recently made the move to Montana. Throughout his professional career, he has studied a variety of game species but admits to being drawn to upland birds more than any other subject. He's also a GSP owner and a fanatical upland hunter.

Whitney Miller oversees the breeding program at Riverstone Kennels while her husband, Josh, handles the training. Together, they produce some of the best British Labs in the business. Whitney talks about puppy placement, puppy breeding, working with a trainer for your puppy and much more. Check it out!

Georgia's, Michael DeLoach, is back for part 2 of his 2 part podcast. Michael is the owner of Livingston Gun Dogs Atlantic. DeLoach is a skilled and passionate trainer who specializes in developed quality bird dogs that are a joy to have in the home. In this episode, we focus on adversity and versatility in dog training to get exactly what you want out of your dog.