In this episode, Erik catches up with Wayne Dixon for another chapter of Bjorn to Be Wild, following Bjorn as he takes his first steps from puppyhood toward becoming a hunting dog.
Wayne shares what he has learned from watching Scotty raise her puppies naturally and how early exposure to the outdoors, other dogs, wildlife, and different environments can influence confidence, independence, and hunting instincts. Erik and Wayne discuss the importance of those first eight weeks and how early experiences can help shape a dog's future.
The conversation also follows Bjorn's introduction to hunting and his early experiences around bears and other game. They discuss the balance between giving a young dog opportunities to learn while knowing when the risk of a bad encounter outweighs the potential reward.
Along the way, Erik and Wayne talk about bonding, independence, learning from experienced dogs, modern training tools, and why developing a hunting dog is about much more than simply creating hunt drive.
🐕 Bjorn's first steps toward becoming a hunting dog
🐻 Early exposure to bears and other game
🐾 Learning naturally from Scotty and experienced dogs
🌲 Raising puppies with early exposure to the outdoors
🧠 Why the first eight weeks can have a lasting impact
🤝 Building a strong bond between hunter and dog
⚖️ Balancing experience, confidence, and risk with young dogs
📡 Modern tools and training young hunting dogs
Another chapter in Bjorn to Be Wild, following the experiences, instincts, and lessons that shape a young dog on his journey toward becoming a hunting dog.
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