Training the Pointing Labrador

#392 Build Puppy Brains: Early ENS That Changes Training

Julie Bates reviews a powerful ENS puppy video and shares how early stimulation, clear cues, and consistent handling build the neural pathways that shape focus and teamwork in pointing Labradors.

She explains practical steps—teaching recall, heel and sit, managing energy, using rewards wisely, and resting puppies after training—so owners can develop reliable, well‑behaved dogs from the start.

https://youtu.be/UvmS2EgBl64

$391 Turn Puppy Chaos into Fetch Magic: Simple Fixes That Work

Julie Bates breaks down practical, easy-to-follow tips for training young pups. She covers making retrieving fun, fixing noise and recall issues, and teaching travel/crate toilet habits.

The episode also previews adorable 4–6 week puppy videos and emphasizes early stimulation to build lasting behaviors.

The Conversation That Builds Blinds: Building Trust Between Handler and Dog

In this episode Julie Bates breaks down blind retrieves, focusing on the idea that running blinds is a conversation between handler and dog. She explains why trust, clear communication, and mastering the "go" and "stop" are more effective than mechanical, frantic handling.

Julie shares practical tips for training young and experienced dogs: avoid over-tweaking at the line, build momentum with long blinds, practice stopping and casting clearly, and steadily develop a conversational bond so your dog understands and trusts your direction.

 

https://youtu.be/yBHJzQCG1XY

https://youtu.be/5TdUWX91FuM

 

 

#389 Explanation of the YouTube Channel

In today's late winter episode, I describe exactly what the plans are for the YouTube channel.  It should be open for viewing in the very near future.  It is the story of Faith, from birth to her life of competition and hunting.  How does the early neural stimulation work on performance pups work, what is it and why do it?  It will continue to all the critical early training steps; the walk, early retrieving, early relationship building, bird introduction and its continued development.  I have literally spent my life trying to learn this aspect of the dog world, and Faith, her owner and I will take you on the journey with her, seeing and experiencing it all yourself.  

This audio podcast will remain, so for my noncomputer folks, you will be included, you just won't be on the walk or in the upland field with us.  This is going to be the most fun project I have ever undertaken.  Hope you join us!

#388 New Puppy Project Starting Soon

An introduction to the latest podcast/YouTube combined project, showcasing from the very beginning the steps of raising a pup, including the early mental stimulation of a tiny pup.  From roughly 8 weeks on you'll get to watch the approach to creating a "good dog", how to adjust what you do to fit the animal, and the importance of the right kind of time and effort into your new family member.  Should be an absolute blast. 

#387 Personal Stuff, 2026 Spring Schedule and Welcome Texas

In this Groundhog's Day episode, I have a personal note to a few folks, and a list of Spring Tests in the APLA.  We also welcome Texas to the venues holding tests, as they have one planned for 28 February this spring in Inez Texas.  At that event there will be a seminar for any new or interested folks, to learn more about what this is and how to do it right.  More tests this spring than ever - going to be a great season!

Texas contact info: Chris Wray  cwray079@gmail.com

Tigh Leibel Seminar info:  teighleibel@gmail.com

Test Entry information:  www.huntsecretary.com 

#386 Winding up the Insurance Program

In this final section of being as prepared as possible for the highest level of dog competition, we talk a lot about marks and blinds.  How do you prepare for the setups you will encounter, the ones you didn't set up?  How do you optimize the chances of passing? There is a little science to this.

#385 More on Insurance - Walk in Your Dog's Shoes

How do you get your dog to do very hard things without knowing they were hard?  There is a way to do that.  Listen in.....

#384 More on the Big Show Insurance for you and your Dog

In this year's preparation for your Big Game, this episode breaks down ways to prepare for the unexpected in a weekend test or the big one.  How to prepare yourself and your dog for dragback, unexpected sights or sounds, weird setups and other mishaps.  It's all about your basics and your preparation (as always).  Here are some ideas to help you get ready for the unexpected.

$383 Your National Insurance Program

Today's January episode is aimed at the serious folks who plan on running their National this year, whether that be the Grand, the Master National or the Triple Crown.  Success at this level is not so much based on how many triples you can run this year; it is more on how much you and your dog are prepared for whatever comes your way, expected or unexpected.  How do you get out of your own way, and your dog's, when in the high stakes competition?  It might be different than you think...