#328 | Favorite Ways to Train Your Bird Dog with Mark Payton

Birdshot Podcast

Nick Larson

Wilderness, Hobbies, Science, Nature, Leisure, Sports

4.6 • 936 Ratings

🗓️ 15 August 2025

⏱️ 85 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode of The Birdshot Podcast, host Nick Larson is joined by Mark Payton, a renowned bird dog trainer, author, and YouTube content creator. Mark shares his extensive experience in training bird dogs, emphasizing the importance of patience, timing, and consistency. He discusses key training methods like the Fun Whoa and Chase Method, and offers practical tips for those starting out with their first pointing dog. Mark also dives into the significance of pigeons in training, gun introductions, and how to teach steady points through gradual steps. Mark Payton is a skilled bird dog trainer based in the southern Indiana area. He has trained many dogs using both traditional and modern methods. In addition to his training, Mark is the author of Favorite Ways to Train Your Bird Dog (2009), a highly regarded book that provides concise, practical advice for handling and training bird dogs. Mark also runs a popular YouTube channel, where he shares training techniques and tips with fellow bird dog enthusiasts. Expect to Learn The importance of introducing dogs to birds early on, and how to use pigeons and launchers effectively. How to get your dog to point naturally by simulating real bird hunting situations. Practical tips on gun introductions and teaching dogs to remain steady for flushes. The benefits of a structured yet flexible approach to dog training. The difference between developing a dog versus training them with enforcement. Episode Breakdown with Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Introduction [00:03:51] - Why do Dogs Point? [00:17:52] - Backing in 10 Minutes [00:28:08] - Steady Points for Dog training and Nick’s Dogs [00:44:17] - Curiosity About the Whoa Stuff [00:51:40] - Insightful Tips in the Book [00:58:01] - Trouble Shooting, Pigeon Launcher and Untrained Dogs [01:06:02] - How Mark Flushes the Pigeon and Usage of Check Cord [01:15:37] - Favorite Bird to Hunt [01:20:10] - Get in Touch and one-on-one personal sessions Follow Guest Mark: YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Payton1221 Email: [email protected] Favorite Ways to Train your Bird Dog: https://amzn.to/3UN4RXn Follow Host Nick: Instagram: @birdshot.podcast Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@birdshot.podcast SUPPORT | http://www.patreon.com/birdshotUse Promo Code | BSP20 to save 20% on https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app Use Promo Code | BS10 to save 10% on https://trulockchokes.com/ The Birdshot Podcast is Presented By: https://www.onxmaps.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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2:07.6	Honestly, I don't know anybody who's doing it like I do, and basically I just really bombard the dog with birds.
2:14.6	I just go out with bag full of pigeons and I just have the dog running loose.
	...

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