How We Train

As a trainer, it's my job to find a way to help a dog learn. I enjoy problem solving and have worked with all ages, gun shy, run-off dogs and even bird shy dogs. Of course, the easy natural dogs are fantastic to work with also, and every dog no matter their skill level, has many lessons to teach me as well. I use no set technique; I learn as many techniques and styles as possible to create a mental "library" of techniques. Then the owner and I choose the gentlest most effective method possible for each dog. I use clicker training in young dogs and to help teach concepts quickly, but also use an e-collar later to reinforce, unless the owner prefers to train without. There is no age too old or too young to learn, but the methods we use will vary.
Check out a few video clips below, to see some of our training techniques for all ages.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Field Training day




Took all into the field to work on whoa in the field. NO BIRDS




Lacey did very well. Slight resistance to open up and hunt early on but took off after a short while and got bigger and bigger. Dragging the lead the whole time. Video of early in her session and I will try to post it. Below is Lacey on "whoa" while dragging the checkcord and free running in the field. Nice happy attitude and clean sharp stop. She is still smelling and looking. Maybe one more session like this. Then I'll add birds and go back to holding the checkcord. VERY HAPPY with her progress.
Jackson did not do so well with the distractions and started to forget what he was supposed to do. I had to move back into the cut grass and shorten the checkcord to about 8 feet. He did "remember" and started to work out a little, but I never let go of the lead. More, More.

Jackson on a whoa, no birds.





Gretchen. She knows what it means but wants to run big OR listen for the whoa. Once I give the "whoa" she seems to thing that the hunting is off and this is just boring old training again. I think she needs more confidence. Perhaps long, dragging lead, walk style training would help her to learn to explore and very occaisonaly give the "whoa" command.
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