People training needed.

[bigshark]

Well if everything works out I will be having a good time with a new Lab come spring. However I detect a problem. You see I have the feeling that a started dog with several months in the hands of a professional trainer may know more about what he's suppose to do and how he should be asked to do it than his new owner. I would not want this pooch to die of laughing at what this human is trying to get him to do. The dog of my dreams is from out of town and I really doubt I'm going to learn enough in one session to come home and expect to be able to get it right each time out. In addition, and go ahead and laugh if you like, I think I would like to know enough to actively get into hunt tests. It seems to me that this would be a nice way to stay active with the dog and hopefully keep both of our skill levels increasing while we wait for the next season to open. This dog is what its owner calls "a field trial washout". The dog will never be good enough to "win". That doesn't bother me, what I want is a dog to retrieve the ducks that are shot. That said, I do want him to be as good as he is capable of being. So, the question I have is how does one get started?
Are there groups for "beginners only"?

[ 01-31-2002, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: bigshark ]

[Tilla]

The Salem Retriever Trial Club has it's picnic tests at St Louis Ponds 9AM Mar 10,April 21, May 19. There are beginner (puppies up to one yr) Junior, senior, master and people to help you (MaryJo). These are practice/training sessions, you can get a bird introduction session! There are two other clubs that have basically the same thing.Let me know if you are interested.

[MikeT]

bigshark,
The Oregon Hunter Retriever Club may be a good choice for you. This spring we'll have a monthly Picnic Hunt Test on Sauvie Island or nearby, plus a big Hunt Test event Memorial weekend.
I was in your situation a year ago, and found the club members to be very helpful with training advice and training assistance. My pup and I both learned a lot, managed to make it through the Jr. Hunter tests, and had a fine first duck season.
The club will have a booth at the Sportsman's Show, back near the trout pond, and will be signing up new members. Or you can call Doug Shade at 503-621-3597 for membership info.
Mike

[Labsforme]

When you pick up your dog get as much info on the
commands and style of training the dog has had.This will help you to be able to continue giving the right commands and progress in your training and having fun with it.All the above clubs can get you addicted to the hunt test scene.
Just ask Tilla.The only problem with having a well trained dog is that they get real frustrated when they don't get to retrieve because of someone
(unmentioned owner) missing the birds

[DK]

the most important thing to remember is its a dog, so when you give him commands you need to think like a dog, alot of dog owners confuse the dog by telling it one thing and rewarding it for something it didn't do, a good example is telling your dog to sit and then saying good boy,doesn't sound confussing but it is, again think like a dog,what did you make him do (sit) good sit, you didn;t make him a good boy, i have a yellow lab and talk to him like he was a person, you would not believe the things this dog can do, but by talking to him like a person he trys to figure out situtions and made him much more attentative