The Bend Radio Show & Podcast Episode 245

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The Bend Show - Episode 245: Hunting Dogs and Staying Weather Aware

In this episode of "The Bend Show," hosts Rebecca "Beck" Wanner and Jeff "Tigger" Earhart dive into the world of hunting dogs, contrasting their training with the cattle dogs they've discussed in previous weeks. With pheasant hunting season approaching, Beck admits her rustiness in training a young hunting pup, while Tigger, accustomed to Border Collies and cattle dogs, reveals his inexperience with hunting breeds.

They bring on expert Mark Vanzi of Drake Creek Kennels, a professional retriever trainer, to shed light on the instincts and training of hunting dogs. Vanzi explains the two main categories: retrievers (like Labradors and Golden Retrievers, often used for waterfowl) and upland dogs (like pointers and German Shorthairs, used for birds like pheasants). He highlights how selective breeding plays a crucial role in enhancing natural instincts, demonstrating how even young puppies can exhibit pointing behaviors with a pheasant wing on a fishing rod.

Vanzi clarifies that while the initial "point" might be natural, getting a dog to be "steady to wing and shot" (remaining still when a bird flushes and a shot is fired) and then to retrieve properly is a trained response, not an instinct, especially for pointing breeds. He emphasizes the dedication required to train a dog to "deliver the bird to hand."

For listeners looking to train their own hunting dog, Vanzi's advice is to find a local AKC Pointing Dog Club or Retriever Club. These clubs offer opportunities to network with experienced trainers, gain hands-on guidance, and discover online resources like retrievertrainer.com. He also stresses the importance of downtime for working dogs, allowing them to "do dog stuff" and simply play to prevent them from becoming "sour" on their job.

Later in the episode, Beck and Tigger shift gears to discuss the importance of weather preparedness, especially after their own harrowing experience with high winds during a camping trip. They strongly recommend investing in a NOAA weather band radio for essential weather forecasts and emergency alerts, highlighting their affordability and crucial features like crank and solar charging, and USB ports for charging cell phones. They also suggest using the Life360 app for families to stay connected and for its safety features like crash detection.

Don't miss this insightful episode for valuable tips on training hunting dogs and practical advice for staying safe and connected outdoors.