BEFORE You Teach WHOA | Iron Oak Steadiness Pt. 1

Gun Dog It Yourself

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Before you teach “whoa,” make sure your bird dog understands this.

In Part 1 of the Iron Oak Steadiness Series, we break down the foundation every pointing dog needs before formal steadiness training begins.

From sight-based drills and scent cone setup to using remote bird launchers the right way, this episode walks you through the most overlooked step in teaching dogs how to reliably hold point—without losing drive or confidence.

🔶 What You’ll Learn in Part 1:

~How to build steadiness before the "whoa" command

~The #1 mistake bird dog trainers make with remote launchers

~How to read subtle signs of scent acknowledgment and caution

~When (and why) to launch birds early

~The difference between controlling drive vs. channeling it

~Smart timing, setup, and bird contact management

~When NOT to use the e-collar in early pointing work

➡️ Whether you're training for NAVHDA, AKC, or hunting season, these foundation drills are crucial for building a rock-solid pointing dog.

🧪 This is Part 1 of 3 in our steadiness training series. Watch this first to avoid common pitfalls and build toward a fully steady dog. Chapters: 00:00 | Intro

17:32 | Using Remote Launchers to Simulate Wild Bird Behavior

18:37 | The Art of Scent Cone Setup for Young Dogs

20:06 | Reading Dog Behavior: Subtle Cues That Signal Point

21:48 | Chasing Can Be a Reward—But Here’s How to Control It

23:06 | Why Fewer, Faster Reps Are More Effective in Steadying

24:33 | When Anticipation Builds Pointing Drive—Not Bad!

25:45 | Concealing Launchers: Scent Flow vs. Visibility

27:05 | Avoiding Superstitious Associations with the E-Collar

28:35 | Launcher Placement: Think Like Your Dog Sees

30:02 | Toad’s Field Run Begins: Timing, Chasing & Reward

32:33 | Fur vs. Feather: Can Dogs Tell the Difference?

33:38 | Pressure Triggers Flight—Creating Cause & Effect

36:01 | Why Early Launching Is Almost Never Too Early

36:54 | Sponsor Shoutout: Gear & Courses from Standing Stone

37:36 | When You Don’t Have Wild Birds—Train with Intention

38:37 | Don’t Use the E-Collar Yet: Avoiding Bird Aversions

40:42 | Pointing Complete? Pause Training, Build Drive Again

41:52 | Managing Heat, Fatigue & Contact Efficiency

43:27 | When the Setup Fails—Don’t Force a Point

44:37 | Avoid High-Stakes Corrections Without Context

45:31 | Tradeoffs in Training: Everything Costs Something

47:40 | Dogs Learn Best from Natural Failure and Correction

49:01 | Train Through Attrition: Let the Dog Fail, Then Succeed

50:29 | German vs. English Breeds—Teaching Point vs. Instinct

51:44 | Wrap-Up & What’s Next in Part Two of the Series

CONTACT: Nate Czarnota | Iron Oak Dog Company | https://2ly.link/1xwdK

Nick Adair | Gun Dog It Yourself | https://2ly.link/1vTif

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