Hold the Line

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃

After a question from a listener, I talk about the clicker retrieve and how to get things set up to begin a clicker retrieve session.  The plan is to continue, in future episodes, to talk listeners through how to train the clicker retrieve(!).  There are eight 'phases' to the clicker retrieve process I use.  This episode is the first in the series on the clicker retrieve.

I do offer an online clicker retrieve course, which you can take - wherever you are, in the world.  You will receive videos, handout sheets and emailed info each week for 5 weeks.  You will have access to a Facebook group where you can post videos and get my feedback.  The course is £35.  If you'd like to enrol, email me at [email protected] or [email protected]

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃

In this episode, I interview Leanne Smith.  Leanne is a force-free gundog trainer and handler, based in Devon UK.  She is a full member of the APDT (UK), holds a diploma from COAPE, and is a Gundog Club trainer and instructor.  Leanne owns and works three cocker spaniels.  Leanne's training organisation is called Dogs R Dogs and, via Dogs R Dogs, she also organises the biannual Positive Gundog Training Conference.  

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃

I talk about the Really Bad Thing that just happened with the book I've written and the manner in which what's happened reflects the conflict between mainstream training and force-free training.

Then I talk about 'arousal levels' and frustration-based behaviours - and what we can do, to help gundogs with these.

For more information on the 'Superman pose' research, check out that link.  And, to find out more about Control Unleashed, take a look at Leslie McDevitt's website.

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃

I talk about harnesses:  Back-fastening harnesses and front-fastening harnesses.  Harnesses which have a Y-front, versus those which barricade the chest.  Fit.  And gape-age (I made that word up!) at the shoulder, as something to avoid.

I discuss the recent history of harnesses - and how the force-free dog training scene has been transformed by the appearance of the front-attachment point.

I talk especially about using a harness when it comes to gundog training and some of the conflict (internal and external) there - including when to use a harness and when to use a slip-lead.

And then I review the new super-duper DOGCopenhagen Comfort Walk Air harness, which is my current fav harness.

During the episode, I mention Emily Larlham's great article 'Is it harmful to attach a leash to your dog's neck?'.  

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃

In this episode, I talk with Dr Claire Brand.  Claire works springer spaniels and is a trustee of the Gundog Club.  The Gundog Club is a UK-based organisation which offers a graded testing scheme for gundogs.  It is a force-free organisation, with all Gundog Club instructors and assessors being committed to force-free gundog training.  You can find out more about the Gundog Club from the website:  www.thegundogclub.co.uk

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃

In this episode, I talk about how to train the Sit (or Stand) to Flush, using force-free methods.  (You may also want to listen to Episode 2 - my interview with Elsa and Lena - for more on this subject.)

At the end of the podcast, I talk about how to get started with training the Back casts - Back-Left and Back-Right.

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃

In this episode, I talk to UK retriever trainer, Collette May.  We talked in some depth about UK retriever working tests, in a bid to encourage more people to dip their toes into mainstream competition. 

Collette competes with her three black labs in UK tests and trials, as well as picking up on shoots.  She is a full member of the IMDT and an accredited Gundog Club instructor and assessor.  Her training organisation is called 'Lead and Listen' and you can check out what she offers, here:  www.leadandlisten.co.uk

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃

In this episode, I talk about marking.  What is good marking and why do we need it?  How can we establish good marking habits?  Why should the dog not look away from the location of fall unless cued to?  And a few other bits and pieces.

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃

In this episode, I interview Swedish force-free gundog trainers Elsa Blomster and Lena Gunnarsson.  They are the authors of the book 'Retrieving for All Occasions' - which is available from their website retrievingforalloccasions.com They also offer online gundog training courses, which we discuss in the podcast.  Their organisation is called Klickerförlaget Göteborg AB.  Which I cannot pronounce.  But I can write it(!).

If you want to watch the video clips of Lena training her spaniel to Sit to Flush, you can see these here:  

• https://www.retrievingforalloccasions.com/quling-goes-to-flush-school-part-1/
• https://www.retrievingforalloccasions.com/quling-goes-to-flush-school-part-2/ 

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃

Hello to you all!  This is just a quick intro to let you know what the podcast is about and what you can look forward to hearing, in future.