By Julianne Knutson
New podcast weblog
In today's "Tests are happening now" episode, we talk about how to best prepare your student for success. I have found it isn't by practicing game day setups to get ready for gameday, but by understanding your pupil's psychology, behavior,...
Today we move past the obedience and moving hold and teach the dog to fetch the bumper with the single command. In doing this part humanely and with thought, the dog is taught that it controls the training pressure, and...
Following the previous podcast, this episode takes us from teaching 'hold' in a stationary and calm position, to teaching 'hold' while moving and carrying out basic obedience exercises. This is the next logical step to ultimately getting your dog to...
Lots of horror stories about this process which teaches good bird handling and is the first step of teaching the handling process. If you've seen it done in a hard way, it would scare you away. Many of us are...
In today's early spring episode, we talk not about the dogs, but about you. The human factor IS the limiting factor in our dog training. Who we are and how we see and interpret things determines the outcomes. We can...
In today's episode, we break down the difference between "making noise" and useful and clear communication with your dog. To effectively teach a dog anything, you must first establish a relationship in which the dog respects you and actually wants...
In this episode, we discuss the approach to training a dog that is fearful of things it encounters in training and daily life, and the same for the dog that has a mild interest in the work for which you...
In this episode, which is continued discussion of the important elements in puppy upbringing, we breakdown how to teach a dog to be its own best problem solver. After clearly teaching them a concept, it is important to know how...
Today's episode is about dealing with the best training habits for you and your young pupil to develop. Not creating any bad habits is almost as important as the things you are teaching the little one. We talk about bird...
In today's episode, a topic I dearly love. I was asked if it was possible to have a dog that came when called, walked well on a leash and off, and could be trusted while loose - without using an...
As with any of us in pursuit of something we are doing, a dog should enjoy what they are working on, look forward to it and share in the feeling of mastery of what they do. There are a number...
In this episode, I answer the question from a listener on the topic of daily training. How do you know how much is enough, too often, too hard, too easy? It's a great question, one I have encountered in my...
Based on a good question received on running blinds, we break down what happens when you call a dog back on a blind, and further discussion about requiring the dog do the work instead of you having to do it...
In this episode, we break down the ways to raise a pup which is based more on never creating problems to be fixed later on. Noise, destruction, jumping, not returning on retrieves, not listening, "stubbornness" can all be prevented by...
In today's Troubleshooting episode, we discuss the problem of a young dog that doesn't always return or doesn't directly return on a retrieve. As with many problems, this is a symptom of a larger problem, and often as simple as...
In this episode, I take a question about "How do I get my dog to quit pulling on the leash?" and break down addressing what appears to be a single problem. Most of the time, these behaviors are symptoms of...
In the first episode of 2024, we talk about how much you and your dog can advance when you quit directing their every move and turn responsibility for the work - over to them. Constant commands, cues, reminders are often...
As a continuation of episode 284, starting to run blind retrieves, this describes how much actual teaching needs to be done before a dog is good at running blinds. There is much more to it in the dogs' mind, than...
In today's episode, we breakdown the approach to teaching a dog with the appropriate fundamentals of going when sent and stopping when whistled - how to confidently learn to run any cold blind. It is less drill and trick-oriented, but...
In response to a number of trouble-shooting questions, I compile an answer to many by discussing how to keep from creating training problems and how to address some before they become big problems in your program.
In this holiday season trouble shooting series, we talk about things to think about when you bring your trained dog home for the hunting season, holiday season or because they've completed their work. If you've spent money on dog training,...
2nd in the series of questions and problems, I address the question of developing confidence in a canine, performance or pet. It's a pretty straightforward recipe, but it requires understanding your dog's fundamental programming and providing opportunities for the two...
In this second in the Problem Series, we talk about what to do when the young PL hasn't shown point. The upbringing of these little guys is important, birds are important, and maybe most of all, keeping the right balance...
This episode's question is about choosing the best video, book, YouTube channel, to acquire your dog training information. Heaven knows there is a ton of 'stuff' out there. Which is best? How do you choose? It's a good question, but...
In today's episode, I ask for input on topics and material for the new book I'm doing on Pointing Labs, and also need help on a new "Problem Solving" set of podcasts I'd like to do. Meanwhile, today's topic is...
Here's another go at the topic of choosing your pup out of a litter. Some folks say it really can't be done. That's probably true for many people. I have always found the observation of a litter of puppies to...
In today's episode, I break down the functioning energies of the dog: physical, psychological and mental. It is these 3 components which are the operating system of the dog. The more you understand their nature and the ways they interact,...
In this 275th episode, we talk about some things to consider and practice when preparing to run the Master hunt test stake. I've run many hundreds of them and compiled what I have found to be useful in being as...
In today's episode, I talk about dog trainers, dog training and what it is really all about. It can be making a dog do what you want, or it can be about teaching the dog how to learn, and then...
Per a request, I am answering an inquiry regarding how to keep a finished dog at that level throughout the off season, especially when training alone for the most part. A topic I've lived for years... happy to offer some...
In this early hunting season episode, I take the time to tell two stories of dog and owner, that early on were pretty dismal. However, over time, it became a very different story. Listen in if you'd like to hear...
When your last event of the season is over; it may be a hunt test or field trial, a National of one sort or another, either hunting season or just no more competition takes over. If you're planning on competing...
Lenore, Idaho, 2023 Triple Crown, 43 dogs, 3 days, what a memorable, impressive Labor Day weekend! This is a fairly brief recap of a weekend of highs, a few lows but mostly a showcase of the best in people and...
Today, a little talk about the change in the pointing Labs over time, various venues in which to test them, and a chat about the American Pointing Lab Association. We all need to remember what really matters: those great hours...
In this episode, we address how to deal with a dog who doesn't come when called. Maybe in the field on a bird, on a hike when it sees another dog, or even in the backyard. People get very disturbed...
In today's episode, we talk about some ideas to get ready for the American Pointing Labrador Association's national event, the 2023 Triple Crown. It's a long 3 days for handlers and dogs, and there are a number of things you...
"Basic Obedience" isn't just doing heel and sit on a leash. That is just the tiniest piece of what this big topic is. The real nature of this work is in creating the relationship between you and your dog and...
In this episode, the two common problems we break down are how to prepare for ducks in tests when you have no training group with birds to train with; and secondly, how to go about not inadvertently teaching your dog...
In today's episode, we break down simple solutions to two common problems. 1. What to do about a dog returning on a retrieve but dropping the bird, doing a flyby or otherwise not directly returning the retrieve object. 2. How...
In this episode, we talk about the fact that more often than not, it is the handling of the dog that brings about failing, as opposed to a dog making a mistake on its own. It's a topic that requires...
In this episode, we talk about getting as much success out of your dog test running as yours and your dog's talent allows. Often times we don't try as hard as we might because that could lead to failure and...
In this episode, we go beyond young pups and bird exposure. It takes continued exposure to allow the young dog to learn the upland game and all its' nuances. Upland dogs can and should be expected to understand their role...
In today's episode, we break down the elements to developing the natural pointing response in a pup. It isn't a series of steps you go through; it is a development of what is happening the mind of that baby as...
With at least 300 Certified Pointing Retrievers, 90 GMPR's and over 30 4X's, I want on an unofficial basis to weigh in on effective judging in the APLA testing arena. It isn't a glamorous or even fun thing to do. ...
In today's episode, we talk about the difference between where you are and where you could be. If you're happy, keep doing what you're doing. If you'd like to get a little better, there are ways to do that. It...
In this episode, we discuss dealing with problems in dog behavior, response, attitude, etc. Generally, when there is a problem area in your training, it started earlier on and remained unidentified for a little while. Then addressing these problems can...
It takes a little more than a big truck and trailer and a cool hat to be a trainer worthy of sending your dog and your money to. There are qualities a person must possess that let you know your...
When puppies are little, everything is pretty cute and small and easy; walks, retrieves and a few manners. As they begin to grow up, they aren't old enough for formal training, but they are beginning to know what they are...
After announcing the Snake Avoidance Clinic being held by the Rocky Mountain Pointing Labrador Club on May 12-14 (see their website for sign up details) and my new film project, we talk about the best ways to get you and...
This one is all about early bird introduction. Yes, you can still teach sit. No, you don't need a cord. Feathers stuck on a bumper is not a bird. Real birds are required to teach real bird behavior, and this...
