2 handlers?

[Jojoe]

My 12yo daughter has thrown bumpers for me a few dozen times in training. While training with our club she was invited to handle a couple of experienced dogs.(under the direction of their trainer) She did well and really enjoyed it.

Our dog Tucker is in the TT stage of training and in a couple of weeks will begin transition work. At what stage of training can another handler be introduced without adversly affecting the training?

She would dearly like to run him in Started on labour day weekend at GBHRC.

She ran him this morning - he responded well - looked to me only a couple of times. I just don't want to confuse the dog. If there is a reason that I should wait to introduce another handler to my dog, please let me know. Otherwise, my daughter will probably take over half of the training.


Looking forward to your responses?

[Eric B]

Not sure, I guess it would depend on the dog. My female will reposnd well to anyone, but my male only listens to me, ask my wife:laugh:

In any event I think it's a great idea to get the kids involved.:nice work:

[captainjack]

If your daughter knows and uses the same commands as you, the dog should continue to respond to both on known commands. There is a difference between handling the dog and training the dog. If you are the trainer and the dog is in going into transition stage, I would expect that you are expecting too much if you put your daughter into situations where the dog can make mistakes and needs corrections.
The fact that she ran experienced dogs and did well and worked your dog on retrieves and the dog responded well suggests that she is ready to run the dog on some marked retrieves. Having a dog that will work for multiple handlers is quite a plus. Sometimes there are marks that your 12 year old may not be able to throw, but you can. Also, it is good to get out into the field and watch your dog work from a different perspective.
There should be no cause of confusion to the dog if the same commands are used and the same corrections are used for not maintaining your standards.

[Mike Bons]

I personally think it is a great idea to get the kids involved. My daughter loves working with the dogs, and has been doing so for the past 3 years. She comes out to training days quite often to run the dogs. It goes a long ways with my wife every time I want to go out and "play" with the dogs.
I have found that it doesn't affect the dogs much at all. The dogs know the difference between the two of us, and any bad habits they do with her, they don't carry over to me when I run them. That being said, your dog should be well above the level being tested at.
i.e. When my daughter was 5 when she got a working certificate on our eldest dog the same weekend I got a Senior pass on her. She has since run our youngest dog, and got passes in Started and Junior Hunter. I think it is important to remember that all this is suppose to be FUN, and there is no better way to do that, than to have the kids participating in it with you.
Here is a couple pics from that weekend.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/MikeBons/EOLBA2005002.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/MikeBons/Picture166cropped.jpg

[franklauzon]

Where is your Camo?

Cheater. :boink:

Regards :icon1_lol:

I think it's awesome to run with your daughter!! I hope I have a chance to show my kids this passion!

[Kevin Hannah]

I personally think it is a great idea to get the kids involved. My daughter loves working with the dogs, and has been doing so for the past 3 years. She comes out to training days quite often to run the dogs. It goes a long ways with my wife every time I want to go out and "play" with the dogs.



Plus she is a better handler right, what is the score on the ribbon count now Mike.

Kevin

[Mike Bons]

Plus she is a better handler right, what is the score on the ribbon count now Mike.

Kevin

Ya, thats all I heard about coming home on Sunday from CBRCC Hunt test was how she got a ribbon and I didn't. Of course, the deal is who ever comes home with the most ribbons buys the ice cream.

[Kevin Hannah]

You have been eating a lot of free ice cream this year then I guess :harhar:

All kidding aside she does a good job with the dog :nice work:

[Labber]

I agree.
http://www.hunt101.com/img/452802.jpg (http://www.hunt101.com/?p=452802&c=560&z=1)

[Jojoe]

Thanks for the quick replies. Allowing her to handle our dog on known commands is how I will proceed.

By allowing her to handle, I know that she pay more detailed attention to what I'm doing and also what other handlers are doing with their dogs. As for using the same commands, she found out this morning how important that is. She was sending Tucker to a pile and didn't use the same order of words that I use: dead bird, yes/no, Tucker, Back. Instead she she said: Tucker dead bird back - He looked at her as if to say "no that's just not right".

This evening after dinner the topic arose, Dad how old do I have to be to get my own dog?...I'll let her mom answer that one. Thanks again

GREAT pictures by the way - i guess my daughter better start saving her allowance to by us icecream :)

Cheers