Pro bird dog trainers Ronnie & Susanna Smith on composure, puppy development and getting the most from your dog
From Upland Nation by Scott Linden
May 5, 2026 · 1h 2m · Episode 403
About this episode
Scott Linden interviews Ronnie and Susanna Smith about dog training techniques and puppy development.
The Smith family name is legendary in dog-training circles and among bird hunters for good reason. From Delmar and Ronnie Sr. to the next generation, Rick and Ronnie, and now Ronnie's wife Susanna, most modern training methods started in their yards and fields. We'll cover "training to the mind" of the pup, and why setting a mental agenda in a dog are primary goals in their training. How to observe a dog, think before you act, and keeping in mind what's important to a dog ... how to balance training with a dog's ability to focus ... and channeling prey drive to benefit you both, are some of the topics we cover. Special thanks to Pyke Gear for hosting the Upland Nation podcast in their booth! And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, Pointer shotguns, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.
People in this episode
Host: Scott Linden
Guests: Ronnie Smith, Susanna Smith
Topics covered
- dog training
- puppy development
- mental training
- focus and attention
- prey drive
- bird hunting
Keywords
- dog training
- puppy development
- mental agenda
- focus
- prey drive
- bird hunting
- training methods
Sponsors
Pyke Gear, HiVizSights.com, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, Pointer shotguns, USA Clay Target League, Purina Pro Plan Sport, FindBirdHuntingSpots.com
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