AD18
03-28-2007, 10:11 AM
It is soooo nice to have a place to share all of the various aspects of retriever training with individuals who share the same desires, expectations, and geographical regions. I've noticed a couple of posts that I find real interesting. They revolve around questions about "the best" way to do something, whatever it may be. That's a very difficult question to answer in my opinion. I'll state right out I'm no expert, far from it. Still training my first dog to this day, I've asked alot of the same questions and fell into the same traps. Here is the best pieces of overall advise I've gotten to date. Feel free to tack on your opinions and advise as well, and I won't be insulted if you disagree.
The first and best piece of advise I got is to teach your dog basic obediance. First and foremost. Do not expect it, demand it, at all times. It's alot more fun running marks and such, but if your dog won't sit or come when called who cares. Tough to do some times, easy to forget, but do it.
As for "the best" training program or method in my opinion that's one of the easiest questions to answer. They all are. All of the programs, be it Mike Lardy, Evan Graham, John and Phylis Dobbs, John and Amie Dahl, Robert Milner, James Lamb Free, whoever, all use the same program basically developed by the early pioneers such as Rex Carr. Lardy states right in his video he is not going to teach you anything new, just teach you how to do it better. I have alot of the books and videos and if you browse through them they do the same basic things in the same basic sequence. Lardy's method is the standard to which most are measured, but if you can't afford the $300-400 for his program John and Amie Dahl's 10 Minute Retriever $30 book will get you there. Some minor variations and less detail, but the concept is there. The best advise is to pick ONE program and stick to it alone. Do not try to mix them all together. Do what they say, in the sequence they say, when they say, and you'll be fine.
Join a training group if one is near. Groups like Lake Ontario HRC, Kingston HRC, the various Toronto and Ottawa CKC groups, to name a few. They are HUGE knowledge bases to tap into. Don't be afraid to ask questions or advise. Be cautious giving unless asked. And don't forget to jump in and do your share of the work on training days.
Be patient. Take all the time you need to teach it right the first time. All handlers and dogs are different. Some will scream through, others must plod. This ain't no horse race.
A last, and probably most important. HAVE FUN!!!!!!! It's hard to sometimes, but at the end of the day put a smile on your face, give the ol' hound an ear rub and come back tomorrow.
The first and best piece of advise I got is to teach your dog basic obediance. First and foremost. Do not expect it, demand it, at all times. It's alot more fun running marks and such, but if your dog won't sit or come when called who cares. Tough to do some times, easy to forget, but do it.
As for "the best" training program or method in my opinion that's one of the easiest questions to answer. They all are. All of the programs, be it Mike Lardy, Evan Graham, John and Phylis Dobbs, John and Amie Dahl, Robert Milner, James Lamb Free, whoever, all use the same program basically developed by the early pioneers such as Rex Carr. Lardy states right in his video he is not going to teach you anything new, just teach you how to do it better. I have alot of the books and videos and if you browse through them they do the same basic things in the same basic sequence. Lardy's method is the standard to which most are measured, but if you can't afford the $300-400 for his program John and Amie Dahl's 10 Minute Retriever $30 book will get you there. Some minor variations and less detail, but the concept is there. The best advise is to pick ONE program and stick to it alone. Do not try to mix them all together. Do what they say, in the sequence they say, when they say, and you'll be fine.
Join a training group if one is near. Groups like Lake Ontario HRC, Kingston HRC, the various Toronto and Ottawa CKC groups, to name a few. They are HUGE knowledge bases to tap into. Don't be afraid to ask questions or advise. Be cautious giving unless asked. And don't forget to jump in and do your share of the work on training days.
Be patient. Take all the time you need to teach it right the first time. All handlers and dogs are different. Some will scream through, others must plod. This ain't no horse race.
A last, and probably most important. HAVE FUN!!!!!!! It's hard to sometimes, but at the end of the day put a smile on your face, give the ol' hound an ear rub and come back tomorrow.