Training the Pointing Labrador

#346 Trouble-shooting - 2 More Problems

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....

#345 Troubleshooting - 2 Dog Problems Addressed Recently

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...

#344 Becoming a Better Trainer Part 2

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.

#343 Becoming a Little Better Trainer, Part 1

In this episode, we discuss how training your dog is a process, and your expertise is something that should continually progress - it is not a destination you reach with no further learning required. Our dogs continuously reflect us right back to us, if we are wise enough to perceive that phenomenon. With curiosity and strong enough self-evaluation tools, we can become accomplished to a level equivalent to our personal investment in the process.

#342 How do you Perceive your Student

In today's episode, we break down one of the biggest causes of training problems:  looking right through your student.  We often take our timelines and recipes and then stick the dog to them.  This can work, but what do you when it doesn't, and how do you go about preventing problems by created by fitting your square peg into a round hole?  Read on....

#341 The Often-Overlooked Importance of Bird Introduction

In today's episode, we talk about the reasons early and appropriate bird introduction is important, sometimes critically so.  We often believe that "pointers will point" and "flushers will flush", but it can be problematic if they've been taught to be very concerned with you when they are performing their ancestral work of hunting birds.  Emphasis on what is most important on the developing brain of a young pup can shorten the entire training process.  Many of the problems in the young upland hunter stem from what their bird introductions taught them...

#340 It's all about the Process

A recent discussion with a world class athlete reminded me of the importance of our attitude toward daily training, regardless of what you are training to accomplish. It is a good thing to have lofty goals and ambitious attitude, but the secret to the success of the best trainers in the world isn't the desired "trophy".  It is the appreciation and love of the daily process that actually gets you there.  Put all your effort and heart into that, and the rest usually takes care of itself....

#339 How do you Balance Upland Work with Retrieving Work?

In today's episode, based on a question I received, we breakdown why it is very possible to train upland and technical retriever work at the same time in a consistent routine retriever training process.  Done correctly, upland hunting does not "ruin the retriever work", and retriever work should only enhance control in the upland field.  The key is to approach this balance in light of what the dog tells you in training, not how it is 'supposed to go'.

#338 Running Blind Retrieves Well

In today's off-season episode, we talk about the elements necessary to run blind retrieves successfully.  Dogs aren't robots that should 'go straight' and 'take every cast'.  They are living creatures basically having an ongoing conversation with you on their way to get the retrieve they didn't see.  A program that builds their trust in what you are telling them and assures they are very clear on what you are saying is enjoyable for you both. It also leads to running even very difficult blinds well.  As with most really effective techniques, it takes patience, teaching and lots of practice.

#337 The Importance of "Dog Well Being"

In today's episode, we break down the elements that go into having and training a dog in its optimal state:  healthy, willing, understood and living the life it was bred to live.  A dog that can't always fit into the round hole we want it to, but if we learn about the nature of our dogs, we can just adjust the hole to fit them.