Ep. 45 - Training to a Standard, Not Trophies | Hunting Dog & Obedience Truths

<p>Many dog trainers chase trophies. Nate Czarnota trains to a standard.</p><p>In this episode, Nate Schoemer sits down with Nate Czarnota of Iron Oak Dog Company to break down what “training to a standard” really means and why it creates more reliable, capable dogs than chasing titles, ribbons, or trends.</p><p>They dive into gundog training, obedience under pressure, impulse control in high-arousal environments, and how the same principles apply to hunting dogs, sport dogs, and everyday companion dogs.</p><p>This is a systems-level conversation focused on real-world performance, clarity, and reliability, not appearances.</p><p>Whether you work high-drive dogs or just want better obedience at home, these principles translate across all training environments.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>WHAT YOU’LL LEARN</strong><br>• Why training to a defined standard outperforms trophy-based training<br>• How to build impulse control without suppressing drive<br>• Using obedience as a communication system, not just control<br>• Reward-based strategies that hold up under pressure<br>• Why dogs become “collar-smart” and how to prevent it<br>• How gundogs can succeed both in the field and at home</p><p><br></p><p><strong>RECOMMENDED TRAINING RESOURCES</strong></p><p>From Novice To Pro – Nate Schoemer<br><a href="">https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/from-novice-to-pro-the-ultimate-guide-to-dog-training-by-nate-schoemer?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&amp;variant=50148621582625</a></p><p>Dog Training Decoded – Michael Ellis<br><a href="">https://sitstaylearn.com/collections/instructional-videos/products/dog-training-decoded-by-michael-ellis?rfsn=8100182.cd38c94&amp;variant=51512501371169</a></p><p>Nate’s breakdown of Michael Ellis’ course:<br><a href="">https://nateschoemer.com/dog-training-decoded-why-every-serious-trainer-should-learn-from-michael-ellis/</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>UPCOMING SEMINARS</strong></p><p>Corpus Christi, TX — January 23–25, 2026<br>Hosted by Harley &amp; Sergio Dog Training (SK9)<br>Friday: Private Lessons (Application Only)<br>Saturday–Sunday: Workshop (8:00 AM – 5:30 PM)<br>Working Spot: $350<br>Audit Spot: $250<br>Tickets: <a href="">https://harleyandsergio.academy/workshop</a></p><p>Peoria, AZ — February 21–22, 2026<br>Hosted by Kinected K-9 AZ Dog Training<br>Location: The Pitbull Store, Peoria AZ<br>Working Spot: SOLD OUT<br>Audit Spot: $250<br>Tickets: <a href="">https://square.link/u/fUpcbPtG</a></p><p>North Bend, OR — Ma