Based on some questions from our recent Handling Seminar, we address the question of planting birds in the upland field.  The assumption that there is 'a way' to do it is not entirely correct.  There are a number of considerations before training an upland dog and determining how to plant each training session.

In today's episode, we talk about how, when and why and electric training collar can be invaluable.  There are so many off-base ideas about the use of these collars in dog training, let's break it down on the dog's level....

This episode is for the dogs and owners coming to the Northern California Pointing Lab Club Upland Seminar held on April 17.  So you know what to expect, how to prepare if you're bringing your dog, etc.  These seminars are always so much fun, watching the light come on (in dogs and people!)  Looking forward to seeing old friends and new converts...

In this episode, 2 people take the role of the dog in blind running.  On a search for a large chocolate bar, they learn the job of the dog is a lot harder than they ever knew.  Blaming 'That darned dog' is so much easier than understanding this from their perspective.  An excellent exercise to undertake.

In today's episode we talk about the importance of starting a future upland hunter on the best foot possible.  Often, we approach this work like they already know they are upland dogs, and we try to rush in the training.  Upland work is a logical, linear process, which when done in a manner that suits that pup, results in the beautiful upland hunters who do not need one note of instruction.

This shorter episode is a discussion of the Handler's Seminar the RMPLC (and I) are hosting April 6, at the club lease just north of Brighton CO.  This will be for all levels of handlers at retriever events, Junior, Started CP to Finished and Master.  Handling a dog well is exactly equivalent to a good athlete having an okay coach or a coach really suited to them and very knowledgeable in their coaching skills.  We need to be a great coach for our canine athletes.  Preparedness for success begins with how you train each day, how you interact with your dog before, during and after training, and creating muscle memory for superb handling, so you do the right thing even when you are nervous or encounter unexpected things in competition.  Sign up and more information will be available on the RMPLC Website.  There will be room for a certain number of dogs, but not the number of people who wish to come.  Love to see you there!

In today's "The season is upon is" episode, we talk about how to bulletproof yourself and your dog before you step up to the line and ways to avoid the "She never does that in training" phenomenon.  You can't get rid of nervousness, but you can work around it.  There are ways to help you, that will wind up really helping your dog.

In today's episode (using computer for sound, not podcast microphone), we discuss two more issues dog folks can occasionally encounter.  The first is pointing retrievers creeping on a point, a problem often treated with pressure and correction, a dangerous thing to do to a dog with its live bird.  The second is the difficult issue of mouth problems on retrievers.  Mishandling in retrieving takes the form of barely carrying things but by a feather or a rope, mouthing, dropping, crunching and just not letting go.  This is a problem area you don't want to get into, it is much easier to work on preventing it than fixing, but we discuss at length....

In today's episode, I break down two "dog problems" I helped with.  One a dog with solid basics of handling choosing to not get into the water on either marks or blinds; the other a puppy who refused to retrieve any puppy bumper but its' own.  Addressing behavioral problems is never about what they should be doing, but what you've done that allowed the problem to generate.  Interesting study...

We address the more advanced training in this discussion.  The more advanced training can be accomplished by staying in the most fundamental aspects of the training.  Dogs learn more and have substantially more confidence not by practicing all the hard things, but by consistently practicing the components of the 'hard things'.  It is a powerful tool for those with the patience to use it.