Dog Driven Podcast

Whitney Kaiser
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Pets & Animals
  • Updated Weekly

Dog Driven is a podcast for hunters, trainers, and handlers who live for early mornings, muddy boots, cold retrieves, and the bond built in the field. Hosted by Whitney Kaiser, the show features real conversations on sporting dog training, breeding, mindset, health, and the people shaping elite working dogs. From first retrieves to finished dogs, Dog Driven honors the journey, the work, and the dogs that give us everything.

  1. 5d ago

    S1 E40 The Genetics of a Performance Dog — Part 4: Is “Best to Best” Really Best?

    You have an incredible female. You find the most accomplished stud you can—the titles, the pedigree, the performance record, the genetics. Breed the best to the best and you should get even better puppies… right? Not necessarily. In the final installment of The Genetics of a Performance Dog, we’re taking everything we’ve learned throughout this series and asking the question that ultimately matters: How do you actually choose the right breeding pair? Because the most impressive dog available isn’t automatically the best dog for your dog. In Part 4, we dive into complementary breeding and why a thoughtful cross requires looking far beyond titles and accomplishments. We discuss performance versus production, evaluating the entire family behind a dog, and why siblings and previous offspring may tell you things a championship résumé cannot. We also explore: Why breeding should start by honestly evaluating your own dogWhy complementary breeding doesn’t mean trying to “average out” serious weaknessesThe difference between drive and usable driveWhy temperament and the ability to regulate and recover matter in a performance dogWhy structure is about function—not just appearanceThe importance of durability and longevity in working familiesWhy health testing should be the starting point, not the finish lineWhy COI, pedigrees, DNA panels, and titles are tools—not breeding decisionsThe danger of chasing the hottest studWhy an exceptional performer isn’t automatically an exceptional producerThe questions breeders—and puppy buyers—should be asking before a litter is ever producedUltimately, responsible breeding isn't about stacking the two most impressive résumés. It's about understanding what each dog brings, what each dog lacks, what their families consistently produce, and whether those two genetic packages actually make sense together. Throughout this four-part series, one theme has remained constant: Responsible breeding is about managing probability—not guaranteeing outcomes. The goal isn't to produce the most extreme dog, the most fashionable pedigree, or the puppy with the most impressive names behind it. It's to produce healthy, functional, stable, durable dogs capable of doing the work they were bred to do—and hopefully doing it for a very long time. 🎙️ Part 4: “Is ‘Best to Best’ Really Best?” concludes The Genetics of a Performance Dog on Dog Driven. Better dogs. Better lives. Through knowledge.

  2. Aug 26

    S1 E39 The Genetics of a Performance Dog — Part 3: Does Linebreeding Lock In the Good Traits?

    If an incredible dog appears multiple times in a pedigree, are you really “locking in” the traits that made that dog great? Not exactly. In Part 3 of our Wellness Wednesday series, The Genetics of a Performance Dog, we’re diving into one of the most debated topics in dog breeding: linebreeding, inbreeding, COI, and genetic diversity. Breeders have used linebreeding for generations to create consistency and preserve desirable characteristics within a family of dogs. But there’s an important catch: Genetics don’t know which traits you wanted doubled. In this episode, we break down: What linebreeding actually means genetically Linebreeding vs. closer forms of inbreeding Homozygosity and why it can increase predictability Why recessive traits can emerge when related dogs are bred What coefficient of inbreeding—or COI—actually tells us Why pedigree depth matters when comparing COI numbers Pedigree COI vs. genomic measures of inbreeding Why a low COI doesn’t automatically mean a better or healthier breeding Inbreeding depression and long-term population health The popular-sire effect and how successful performance dogs can dramatically influence a gene pool Why outcrossing isn’t automatically the answer The constant balancing act between consistency and genetic diversity We’ll also talk about why linebreeding itself shouldn’t automatically be labeled “good” or “bad.” It’s a breeding strategy—and understanding the family behind the pedigree matters just as much as the number attached to it. Because when you linebreed on an exceptional dog, you don’t get to select only the drive, marking ability, structure, trainability, or temperament you loved. You’re concentrating the genetic package—not just the traits you can see. 🎙️ Part 3 of The Genetics of a Performance Dog challenges us to stop breeding pedigrees and numbers in isolation and start asking a better question: What are we concentrating—and do we understand the family well enough to justify it?

  3. Aug 24

    S1 E38 Myth Buster Monday “Dogs Eat Grass Because Their Stomach Is Upset”

    Dogs Eat Grass Because Their Stomach Is Upset… Right? 🌱🐕 We’ve all heard it: “If your dog is eating grass, their stomach must be upset.” But is grass-eating really a reliable sign of nausea? On this episode of Myth Buster Monday, we’re digging into why this common behavior is a lot more complicated than it seems. While gastrointestinal discomfort can play a role, dogs may eat grass for a variety of reasons—including normal foraging behavior, feeding patterns, environmental enrichment, and simply because they like it. We’ll break down the difference between casual grazing and the frantic grass-eating that may deserve a closer look, what other signs of GI discomfort owners should watch for, and why changes in your dog’s normal behavior often tell us more than the grass-eating itself. For working and sporting dogs especially, those subtle changes can matter. Knowing your dog’s normal is one of the most valuable tools you have. 🎙️ In this episode: Why grass-eating doesn’t automatically mean nausea Why some dogs vomit after eating grass Casual grazing vs. frantic grass-eating Behavioral, dietary, and GI factors to consider Signs that warrant a conversation with your veterinarian Why patterns matter more than one isolated behavior The takeaway: Grass-eating isn’t a diagnosis—it’s a behavior. Look at the whole dog, not just the grass. 🐾 Driven dogs deserve informed owners.

  4. Aug 21

    S1 E37 The Dog Behind the Hunt: LaDell Gee & Nova

    What makes a hunting dog unforgettable? In this episode of Dog Driven, Whitney sits down with LaDell Gee to talk about the dog behind some of his most memorable days in the field—Nova. LaDell shares Nova’s story from the beginning, including how she came into his life, her development as a hunting dog, the challenges they worked through, and the moments when everything started to click. We dive into memorable retrieves, lessons learned in the field, the evolution of their communication, and what it really means to build a partnership with a dog over season after season. We also talk about the other side of performance: conditioning, recovery, knowing when your dog has had enough, and learning to read the individual dog in front of you. But this episode isn’t just about retrieves or successful hunts. It’s about the relationship that develops along the way—and how, eventually, the dog beside you can become more important than the birds you’re chasing. Because the birds fade. The dogs don’t. 🎙️ Featuring LaDell Gee with association to Salt Creek Ammunition🐾 Nova’s story, training & development🦆 Memorable hunts and retrieves💪 Caring for the canine athlete🤝 Building trust between dog and handler❤️ Appreciating the seasons we get with great dogs Stay Dog Driven. Be sure to check out Salt Creek's Triple Curl duck loads on their website link listed below! Salt Creek Custom Ammunition

  5. Aug 19

    S1 E36 The Genetics of a Performance Dog — Part 2 Clear Genetics = Healthy Dog

    The Genetics of a Performance Dog — Part 2: Clear Genetics = Healthy Dog? Your dog's DNA panel came back completely clear. Green checkmarks across the board. So that means your dog is genetically healthy… right? Not necessarily. In Part 2 of our Wellness Wednesday series, The Genetics of a Performance Dog, we're digging into what genetic testing actually tells us—and, just as importantly, what it doesn't. We'll break down the difference between DNA testing and health screening, what clear, carrier, and affected results actually mean, and why a dog being a carrier for certain recessive conditions doesn't automatically mean that dog is unhealthy—or should automatically be removed from a responsible breeding program. We also dive into: Clear × clear, clear × carrier, and carrier × carrier breedings Why genetic probabilities don't guarantee the makeup of an individual litter Autosomal recessive inheritance Why not every genetic disease follows the same rules Genetic risk versus genetic destiny Why orthopedic, cardiac, eye, and other breed-appropriate screenings still matter The importance of family history and longevity Why eliminating every carrier can have unintended consequences for genetic diversity How responsible breeders can use testing to manage risk rather than chase genetic perfection For performance dogs, health is about far more than a DNA report. These dogs need bodies and minds capable of running, swimming, retrieving, hunting, recovering, and remaining functional for years—and understanding the genetics behind them is only one piece of that puzzle. A green genetic panel doesn't mean zero risk. A carrier result doesn't automatically mean a bad dog. The real question is: Do we understand the information well enough to use it responsibly? 🎙️ This is Part 2 of The Genetics of a Performance Dog, a four-part Wellness Wednesday series from Dog Driven.

  6. Aug 12

    S1 E35 The Genetics of a Performance Dog Part 1: Good Parents = Good Puppies

    The Genetics of a Performance Dog — Part 1: Good Parents = Good Puppies? If you breed two phenomenal working dogs, you’re guaranteed phenomenal puppies… right? Not exactly. In Part 1 of my Wellness Wednesday series, The Genetics of a Performance Dog, we’re breaking down one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding breeding: that great parents automatically produce great puppies. We’ll explore how genetics actually influence the dogs we see in the field, including genotype vs. phenotype, polygenic traits, heritability, genetic recombination, environmental influence, and why littermates from the exact same breeding can turn out remarkably different. We’ll also talk about what titles and pedigrees can—and can’t—tell us, why the dog standing in front of you represents much more than genetics alone, and why evaluating a breeding means looking beyond just the sire and dam to the larger family behind them. Whether you’re a breeder, trainer, handler, or searching for your next performance prospect, understanding genetics can help you ask better questions and set more realistic expectations. Because responsible breeding isn't about guaranteeing the outcome. It's about stacking the deck toward the traits we want while understanding that biology still deals in probabilities. 🎙️ A pedigree is a probability—not a promise. This is Part 1 of The Genetics of a Performance Dog, a four-part Wellness Wednesday series from Dog Driven.

  7. Aug 8

    S1 E34 The Skin Barrier: The Missing Piece in the Allergy Conversation

    Is your dog constantly licking their paws, scratching their ears, or battling recurring skin infections? What if allergies aren't actually where the problem begins? In this in-depth Wellness Wednesday masterclass, we're diving into one of the most overlooked topics in canine health—the skin barrier. Understanding how your dog's skin functions could completely change the way you think about allergies, itching, nutrition, and long-term health. In this episode, we go far beyond the typical conversation about "allergies." You'll learn why the skin is your dog's first line of defense, how a damaged skin barrier contributes to chronic inflammation, why recurring ear and skin infections happen, and what role nutrition, omega-3 fatty acids, bathing, and veterinary medicine play in protecting your dog's health. Whether you own a hunting dog, hunt test competitor, field trial dog, or simply want to give your best friend the healthiest life possible, this episode is packed with practical, evidence-based information you can apply immediately. Why the skin is one of your dog's most important organsHow the skin barrier protects against allergens, bacteria, and moisture lossThe connection between the skin barrier and environmental allergiesThe science behind the itch cycleWhy dogs develop recurrent ear infections and skin infectionsThe role of the skin microbiome in overall healthHow nutrition and omega-3 fatty acids support healthy skinCommon bathing mistakes that may be working against your dogHow medications like Apoquel, Cytopoint, and immunotherapy fit into a comprehensive treatment planPractical strategies to support healthier skin and improve your dog's comfort year-roundYour dog gives everything they have in the field. Understanding how to protect the skin that protects them is one of the best investments you can make in their health, performance, and longevity. Because healthy skin isn't just about stopping the itch—it's about building stronger, healthier dogs from the inside out. 🎙️ Subscribe to Dog Driven and never miss a new Myth Buster Monday, Wellness Wednesday, or Guest Friday episode. Stay Dog Driven. In this episode, we discuss:

  8. Aug 3

    S1 E33 Tired Isn't Trained: Why Exhaustion Doesn't Equal Conditioning

    Is an exhausted dog really a well-conditioned dog? In this week's Myth Buster Monday, we're breaking down one of the biggest myth's in the sporting dog world: a tired dog is always a trained or fit dog. Fatigue and fitness are not the same thing. Just because your dog comes home worn out after training doesn't necessarily mean they're building strength, endurance, or becoming a better athlete. In this episode, we discuss: The difference between fatigue and true conditioningHow fitness is built through progressive training—not exhaustionWhy recovery is where your dog actually gets stronger Whether you're preparing for hunting season, training for hunt tests, or simply looking to keep your sporting dog performing at their best, this episode will help you train smarter—not just harder. Because at Dog Driven, the goal isn't just to build dogs that work hard today—it's to build dogs that stay healthy, perform confidently, and love doing their job for years to come.

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About

Dog Driven is a podcast for hunters, trainers, and handlers who live for early mornings, muddy boots, cold retrieves, and the bond built in the field. Hosted by Whitney Kaiser, the show features real conversations on sporting dog training, breeding, mindset, health, and the people shaping elite working dogs. From first retrieves to finished dogs, Dog Driven honors the journey, the work, and the dogs that give us everything.

Information

  • Creator
    Whitney Kaiser
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Whitney Kaiser
  • Show Website
    Dog Driven Podcast