Training the Pointing Labrador

#156 G Update and Raising and Training the Soft Dog

In this episode we hear the latest and greatest on G and then discuss the approach to having a puppy and adult dog that is what is often referred to as "soft".  That is a dog that might be upset by new or abrupt things; a dog that may take a slightly different approach in raising and training, but can result in an excellent performance dog and companion.

#155 G Update and Listener Questions

In this episode, I bring G's latest to everyone, and then address 3 listener questions:  1.  Purpose of the "Happy Bumper"; 2. Pup choice to mess with bird instead of bringing it back and 3. Using failure in events to improve your performances.  

# 154 G Update and the Importance of Talking and Movement in Training

In this episode, after a brief update and G's progress (which is good) we go into some detail on the function of your noise and movement in training and competing with your dog.  Often we underestimate the impact of our voice, how much we use it, how loudly we use it, the whistle and the movement and position of our own body.  It is at least something to think about as we work with our animals.

#153 G Update and Listener Questions

Today I bring everyone up to date on G and her latest adventures.  Two listener questions are addressed:  1. How do I move through the APLA upland field helping my dog the most and 2. How to be a little better handler on  marks and blinds.

#152 G Update, Audiobook coming and Approaches to Trouble Shooting Training Problems

The latest on Miss G, Training the Pointing Labrador will be coming out in Audiobook form, and in this episode, we go over some approaches to training problems.  How do you look at them, how do you decide what caused them and then come up with a good, effective approach to eliminate them?

#151 G Update and More Listener Questions

In this episode  I bring everyone into G's world, which is back to running well again, and answer one question about preparing for land versus water marks, and finally, how to become a better dog trainer when you often train by yourself without expert help.

#150 G Update and Listener Questions

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.

#149 Game Day Preparation

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.

# 148 G Update and Listener Questions

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?

 

#147 G Update and Best Approaches to The Tests

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.