Training the Pointing Labrador

In today's episode, we talk about the difference between where you are and where you could be.  If you're happy, keep doing what you're doing.  If you'd like to get a little better, there are ways to do that.  It just has to matter, and you have to be willing to put in the extra mental and emotional effort.  But what does that look like?   Listen in....

In this episode, we discuss dealing with problems in dog behavior, response, attitude, etc.  Generally, when there is a problem area in your training, it started earlier on and remained unidentified for a little while.  Then addressing these problems can make things worse if the cause of the issue isn't isolated and a plan for going back in front of where it started isn't built.  Usually people are looking for "corrections" when the real correction belongs in the trainers' actions, not the dog.  It's always easier to prevent a problem than to solve one, but that requires paying a lot of attention....

It takes a little more than a big truck and trailer and a cool hat to be a trainer worthy of sending your dog and your money to.   There are qualities a person must possess that let you know your dog MATTERS and even more so than your money.  Whether deciding if you want to become a professional trainer, or trying to pick one, there are important things you want to examine fairly closely before handing over a precious member of your family or deciding to take that responsibility on yourself.  There have been many disturbing stories out there about the wrong person handling dogs.  Just some food for thought by someone who believes in integrity more than just about anything else.

When puppies are little, everything is pretty cute and small and easy; walks, retrieves and a few manners.  As they begin to grow up, they aren't old enough for formal training, but they are beginning to know what they are doing, like running puppy marks and hunting live birds.  It is at this stage we often jump ahead before the pup is really ready, with whoa, electric collar, force fetch, etc.  Instead, teaching the growing dogs to learn to take responsibility for doing the work you are teaching them, to take the work seriously and to focus on it, allows for the upcoming formal training to be much easier and more clearly understood.

After announcing the Snake Avoidance Clinic being held by the Rocky Mountain Pointing Labrador Club on May 12-14 (see their website for sign up details) and my new film project, we talk about the best ways to get you and your dog ready, for whatever level of testing you're planning on running.  It isn't accomplished by running lots of test setups, but by having the basics solidly established in your dog's behavior and understanding.  It isn't hard, but it takes time and patience.  Good luck to all this spring season!

Batesworks.net

This one is all about early bird introduction.  Yes, you can still teach sit.  No, you don't need a cord.  Feathers stuck on a bumper is not a bird.  Real birds are required to teach real bird behavior, and this takes some time to accomplish.  But with that said, this is the most fun thing in the world to do with these little guys.  

Batesworks.net

In today's puppy talk, we break down the process of not letting dogs learn things we don't want them to do, and how to learn the things we do want them to do.  It seems so obvious when you just say that, but what does it really look like on a day-to-day regular life basis?   

Far simpler than you may think, but it does require a little forethought.

Batesworks.net

What does it take to get a little better all the time?  Sometimes we get stuck at a certain level, and look to new seminars, training groups, books, podcasts to give us an answer.  That is rarely where the real answer to our lack of improvement lies.  Join a discussion on what often prevents our progression, and how you might be able to really increase your mastery of this dog training thing...

In this third episode, we break down the components of a puppy "training program".  A pup learns optimally when life has a certain rhythm and predictability to it.  Consistency in expectations is important, and a focused approach to reaching into the developing pup's head is extremely useful. And as always, doing some form of what this dog's purpose on earth is.

Today we breakdown the art and skill of teaching good marking to our retrievers.  It starts with the little guys and progresses as they mature, and their skill level develops.  Setting up useful marks isn't about how clever you may be or how good your dog is.  It is far more about understanding what the dog experiences and needs, and how to continue to teach them their job of watching things go down and most efficiently returning them to you.