One of the most popular and highly anticipated events at National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic has always been the Bird Dog Stage, and it’s back! And once again a star-studded roster of trainers will be dispensing wisdom, advice, and stories.
“Again, we have the “best-in-the-business” presenting on stage, but with some new topics for 2022,” says Karl Gunzer, professional dog trainer, director of the sporting dog group for Nestle Purina PetCare, and chief architect and coordinator of the stage’s seminar series.
“We have some exciting new seminars from Rick and Ronnie Smith that will build on a lifetime of learning how to not only train bird dogs, but how to create a better, more compliant, trainable dog, whatever the breed,” says Gunzer. “Also, Dr. Seth Bynum (@birddogvet) will speak on a variety of topics, including reproduction, nutrition, and the spay/neuter debate.”
Gunzer says other familiar and popular faces will also be back on stage this year. “Tom Dokken will take a deep dive into some advanced hunting strategies as well as the importance of starting your young dog on the right path for success in the field,” says Gunzer. “Mike Wieben will explain how to train you hunting dog to find sheds in the “off-season”, and Josh Miller will have an in-depth discussion on training your retriever.”
The panel discussion, always a crowd favorite, will also be making its return to the stage this year, too. “The panel discussion at the end of each day is always a highlight, and a great opportunity to ask a personal question to a panel of some of the best trainers in the country!” says Gunzer.
Another thing making a return to the stage is the newer, shorter format. Several years ago there was a change-up to the Bird Dog Stage format, from the traditional one-hour seminar time to shorter, half-hour seminars in order to give attendees time to see the rest of the show floor as well the opportunity to see more targeted, focused seminar topics. That has proven to be a popular move.
"Everyone seemed to really like the shorter seminar format, so we’ve brought that back," says Gunzer. "That really gives folks more opportunity to connect with experts in the Purina and SportDOG booths for one-on-one time for specific questions."
Nestle Purina PetCare is a national sponsor of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, and an annual presenter of the Bird Dog Bonanza Stage, while Purina Pro Plan is official dog food brand of “The Habitat Organization.” SportDOG brand, also a national sponsor of the organization, is teaming up with Purina again this year to present the stage.
Complete Seminar Schedule:
Friday
1:00
Training your retriever
Josh Miller
1:30
Training your dog to find shed antlers
Mike Wieben
2:00
When Should I spay or neuter my hunting dog
Seth Bynum, DVM
2:30
Your dog needs a leader - a good one!
Rick Smith
3:00
The 3 C's - Confidence, Composure and Compliance
Ronnie Smith
3:30
Starting and Developing your pheasant dog
Tom Dokken
4:00
Training your retriever
Josh Miller
4:30
It's the dog owner's job to mentor their pets
Rick Smith
5:00
Fueling Success - Maximizing Nutrition for your Hunting Dog
Seth Bynum, DVM
5:30
A more natural way to steady your dog
Ronnie Smith
6:00
Ask the Experts - over 200 years of Dog Training Experience
Panel Discussion
Saturday
10:00
Your Dog needs a leader - a good one!
Rick Smith
10:30
Training your dog to find shed antlers
Mike Wieben
11:00
Tips for taking your Breeding Plan to the next level
Seth Bynum, DVM
11:30
A More Natural Way to Steady Your Dog
Ronnie Smith
12:00
Training your retriever
Josh Miller
12:30
Advanced Control for hunting dogs
Tom Dokken
1:00
It's the dog owner's job to mentor their pets
Rick Smith
1:30
Training your dog to find shed antlers
Mike Wieben
2:00
Fueling Success: Maximizing Nutrition for Your Hunting Dog
Seth Bynum, DVM
2:30
The 3 C's - Confidence, Composure and Compliance
Ronnie Smith
3:00
Training your retriever
Josh Miller
3:30
Starting and Developing Your Pheasant Dog
Tom Dokken
4:00
Ask the Experts - over 200 years of Dog Training Experience
Panel Discussion
Sunday
10:00
Advanced Control for Hunting Dogs
Tom Dokken
10:30
Training Your Retriever
Josh Miller
11:00
The 3 C's - Confidence, Composure and Compliance
Ronnie Smith
11:30
Your Dog Needs a Leader - A Good One!
Rick Smith
12:00
Fueling Success: Maximizing Nutrition for Your Hunting Dog
Seth Bynum, DVM
12:30
Training Your Dog to Find Shed Antlers
Mike Wieben
1:00
Training Your Retriever
Josh Miller
1:30
A More Natural Way to Steady Your Dog
Ronnie Smith
The 2022 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic will take place at CHI Health Center in Omaha on March 11-13. Tickets and more information can be found at: PheasantFest.org.