Training the Pointing Labrador

#187 Rite in the Rain, G Update and Dog Building

Today, information about training note taking in a book made especially for doing that in any kind of weather (Rite in the Rain), a G update on what she's doing and why, and then into more of the ways to build up a robust, passionate, focused and adaptable training and life buddy.  We impart our perspective, attitudes and personality traits to our canine buddies.  It's good to understand how that works and what it can do to your training success.

 

Book, audiobook and video links available on www.Batesworks.net

#186 G Update and Building your Dog

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.

#185 More on Becoming an Even Better Trainer

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.

 

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#184 Listener Question and Starting your Better-Trainer Program

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.

#183 G Update, 2 Listener Questions and a Program for the New Season

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.

#182 Details of the Dechase Training

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

#181 G Update and Teaching a Dog Gun Range (or to stay with you)

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

#180 Two Listener

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

#179 G Update and the Extreme Importance of Puppy Upbringing

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

#178 G Update and the Importance of Looking for the Holes in your Training

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.