Learn how to find your dog by listening to the bell and reading the landscape instead of relying on screens.
This episode features host Chad and first-time guest Brett Edstrom, an experienced dog trainer from the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. They focus on the world of cover dog field trials, a competitive event for hunting dogs. Brett's background includes working with pointers, setters, and English Cockers, and he began his training career under Hall of Fame retriever trainer Bill Wunderlich.
The conversation details the specific qualities judges evaluate in a cover dog trial, including the dog's application to the ground, its style and movement, and its bird-finding ability. Judges look for a pleasant-to-watch dog that goes to the right places and responds to its handler. A key part of the performance is how the dog handles birds, requiring it to pin them stylishly and exhibit perfect manners. Brett recounts his early start in the retriever world, where his mother would drive him to Bill Wunderlich's kennel before he could drive himself. His initial tasks involved throwing birds, catching birds, and cleaning kennels from dawn until after dinner.
An interesting insight is that handlers can lose their ability to locate their dogs without practice, emphasizing the need to be in tune with the animal. The skill involves listening to the dog and observing the landscape, like noting when a bell stops ringing, rather than relying on a tracking screen. The ideal trial performance leaves a judge with a strong, positive impression of the dog's intelligence and skill. Brett's diverse experience across different dog breeds provides a broad perspective on training and competition.
The tone is conversational and educational, blending practical advice with personal anecdotes from a seasoned trainer. It is geared toward hunters and dog sports enthusiasts who are actively involved in training bird dogs. Listeners seeking a highly technical breakdown of trial rules or those uninterested in hunting dogs might find the episode less applicable.
