January 19, 2022
In today's episode, after bringing everyone up to date with G and her activities at just over a year of age now... we begin the discussion of "Building a dog" from 8 weeks to successful life. Often there are aspects to puppy upbringing people don't think much about. Puppy breath and adorable eyes can erase the best of intentions, but just as it is with children, looking at the long-term goals and big picture is always the best way to approach this 10–15-year adventure.
January 10, 2022
The third in a series about getting to be a little bit better of a trainer than you are today. Today the discussion revolves around bringing more awareness of yourself into your training session, and understanding your dog is always reflecting back to you the energy and focus you've brought into your interactions. Awareness of what you bring in, what you've taught them whether intentional or not and what the dog is telling you - is key to a more successful team activity.
www.Batesworks.net
January 6, 2022
In today's episode, we have one question regarding getting a dog to hold a bumper without dropping, even on a retrieve. Following that is a discussion of ways to document your training efforts, organize your thoughts, your daily objective, your activities and your conclusions about your training program. Often, committing plans, activities and outcomes to writing makes them far more useful, easier to stick to and helps you hold to a program that works for you and your dog. Even if you're not a 'journaler', you may be surprised how useful documenting your ideas and progress can be.
January 1, 2022
In today's episode, a brief and happy G update, followed by 2 listener questions.
1. How do you correct a dog taking the wrong cast, using the electric collar and 2. Do you train a competitive retriever the same way you would a hunting dog?
Finally, the initial approach to setting yourself up for a more successful competitive dog season. Before outlining the skills you want to establish and develop on your dog, or your training program for the next 6 months, you need to look closely at the instructor (you). How prepared are you to genuinely advance the dog and your season goals? How do you go about making sure you're the best you can be, so you can ask the same thing of your dog? It is an interesting if not occasionally uncomfortable inquiry.
December 27, 2021
In this episode, I break down the pieces of the training process through which the flushing and the pointing dog learn that the only birds they go after are the ones that are shot for them or the ones they are sent to get. The dechase process results in a dog that is confident about locating birds in the upland field, but also clearly understands that flying birds are not fair game. Birds flying over that can't be shot or are too far to shoot - are not fair game. It makes the upland hunt far more of a pleasant endeavor and greatly adds to the safety of the hunting dog in the field.
This is the last podcast of the year, hoping that 2022 is a great year for all of us. The next podcasts will be a series of making us all better dog trainers and handlers. Until then - a happy new year to you all! Julie
www.Batesworks.net
December 20, 2021
In this Before-Christmas episode, after bringing the latest G news, we break down the steps used to teach a dog that is upland hunting, flushing or pointing, hiking or just walking off leash with you - to stay within a prescribed range. This involves several critical steps, each requiring a full understanding of the prior step: basic obedience with mechanical enforcement, wherein a dog learns it controls all training pressure by responding to instructions; basic here and sit with collar enforcement in place of mechanical enforcement. Finally, appropriate teaching of range and having the dog take the responsibility for doing the work, and you don't have to constantly remind or correct them. This skill makes a dog a great pleasure to hunt (or hike) with, without frustration or constant nagging.
www.Batesworks.net
December 13, 2021
In this episode, I address two listener questions:
1. In electric collar conditioning, do you condition with the vibrate mode as well as the stimulation mode?
2. What is your actual perspective on dogs; what are they to you, how do they make you feel and what is it you get from having and working with them? Fascinating topic and I go into a little detail on the subject.
www.Batesworks.net
December 5, 2021
In this pre-Christmas episode, after a brief and very positive update on G (and her sister) we discuss why the 8 week to 6 or 7 month period is absolutely critical in the long term plans for your pup. It is in those months the pup figures out what the world is about, who it is and what its role is going to be. There are so many simple ways to create a robust, confident attitude in a little guy, while at the same time teaching them to be respectful, aware and develop a strong sense of purpose. In my book, that is the greatest gift we can give our animals...
www.Batesworks.net
November 29, 2021
After a very positive G (and sister) update, we break down the importance of not trying to win all the training sessions, but instead looking for places for improvement. Dogs do what they are taught, so when things don't go well, it's a fault in their training. This approach helps you improve as a teacher and your student make good progress. I also include some brief thoughts on having an effective training group, instead of a purely competitive one.
November 24, 2021
Good news on the G Update, the Sturdy Girl is putting it all together these days. Then I address two related listener questions. The first is about the dog that people believe they need to "let run" before working with it or hunting, or just to burn off its excess energy. Not much of that is actually the issue.
Second is a discussion of what to do when working with the high mental/physical energy dog so they don't take control of the training session.
Audiobook and hardback book available on www.Batesworks.net
