Training the Pointing Labrador

In today's episode, we talk about G's latest hijinks, and then address 3 listener questions.  "Why can't I just let my puppy be a puppy?" How do you start training to run blind retrieves and am I going to become a cord user in the upland field after recent successes using a cord.

In this episode, we talk about the day of the Test or Trial.  Your training is done, you've prepared your dog for the stake you're running, whether it be the HRC Started or the Field Trial Open.  It can be nerve-wracking, intimidating, or just plain scary.  There are ways to approach this endeavor to ensure you the handler are ready for this.  "New guy" mistakes can often be avoided, and "Experienced guy" mistakes can be avoided.  When you formulate a game day plan and include all the elements necessary, you won't handicap your dog with your nervousness or just blanking out.  This dog game is fun, and particularly so when you approach it like your dog is a trained athlete and you're only there to help them.

Spring is springing!  In this episode I bring you up to date on G and why I've pulled her off upland birds and marks for a few weeks to work on basic things.  I have a few listener questions, 

What does it mean when I say quit doing the work for your dog?

When do I start using whoa on my young dog that is now pointing?

A little update on where Miss G is these puppy days and then we discuss ways to prepare our dogs and ourselves for their competitive adventures.  Complication is approach is usually not nearly as successful and simplicity in approach, so we discuss ways to get our dogs and ourselves ready after paying hefty entry fees...  It's not as hard as you think.

Today I update on what G is doing in the upland and retrieving work.  What follows is a discussion about the fundamental philosophy behind raising a puppy.  People have many ideas based on personal beliefs.  I challenge everyone to really dive into the psychology of their dog and how to think about the daily work and interactions with the pup.  So much is going on in the little puppy heads, and we often treat them like toys.  They are living individuals who deserve to be understood and respected, not spoiled.

Introducing young dogs to upland birds is a process.  It involves developing the dogs' senses, thinking and decision making.  If we approach this work with an understanding from the dogs perspective instead of our own personal goals, this can result in amazing and accomplished upland hunters.  But as with all things, it takes patience and attention.

A quick G update and then a longer discussion about various ways to prepare for the tests when you primarily train alone.  There are ways to utilize equipment and taking time for a good setup that prepare your dog for what they'll see at a competitive event.  And, for all of us with a "mature" buddy - how do we continue to let them do what they love, while taking care not to incur injuries and other work related damage to the older body.

This episode is a discussion of how we help ourselves or hurt ourselves in the simple handling of the dog on line  - in training and especially at competitive events.  Focus, intensity, awareness and practice can make all the difference in achieving your end goal.  It just takes time and the interest.  However you like to manage working with your dog, make sure you do it with an understanding of how your actions deeply impact your dog.

Back to talk about G and her first exposure to live birds in the upland field, followed by talking about how to progress each work with the upland work: how do you know when to push ahead or slow down.  We also answer questions about cord use, where to do upland work and maintaining a good mindset in the young dog.

Today we address listener questions: What makes a dog sit down on point; how do you keep a dog from crowding a bird and how can handling and technical work possible improve pointing?  No G update, things are stable on that front.