[DiverDown]

<P style="MARGIN: 0px">To train with a&nbsp;field trailer or a gun dog trainer? I'm not interested in all the fancy titles and ribbons, I just want a lab that will retreive mine and my buddie's birds. DD</P>

 

[Orion]

I agree with Matt.&nbsp; But, what do you mean by "fancy titles" and ribbons?&nbsp; Field trial titles and ribbons?&nbsp; Yes, I would agree, they are fancy in that they do not prove the dog can hunt.&nbsp; <br> <br> In my view, you should not be going into the marsh with anything less than a dog that has the ability to earn a Hunting Retriever (HR) title from the Hunting Retriever Club.&nbsp; If you are going to use a dog to be a useful waterfowl hunting/conservation tool, this is the level that you need to shoot for.&nbsp; Better yet is a Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH) caliber dog. <br> <br> Yes, they give out ribbons and titles for "meat" dogs.&nbsp; These are not "fancy" by any means.&nbsp; The Hunting Retriever Club tests dogs (pass or fail; no 1st place, 2nd place. etc.) for the qualities needed in a meat dog; marking and memory, control, nose, desire, etc.&nbsp; HOWEVER, I don't train for ribbons and titles, I train for a dog that is a pleasure to hunt with.&nbsp; I train my dog to be under control and to be able to bring back 100% of the birds that I might drop from the sky.&nbsp; The titles and ribbons are icing, they are not the goal.&nbsp; <br> <br> Don't sell the HRC program short.&nbsp; It gives you a clear goal, a target to shoot for and attain.&nbsp; We have a saying, "Train like you hunt, and hunt like you train."&nbsp; Field trial training doesn't cut it.&nbsp; HRC hunt test training does.&nbsp; I recommend that you hook up with an HRC club close to you.&nbsp; This may be West Central Ohio HRC.&nbsp; Good people.&nbsp; <br> <br> Links:<br> Rules: http://www.ukcdogs.com/hr/rules/index.shtml<br> Seminars and Hunt Tests: http://www.ukcdogs.com/hr/upcoming/index.shtml<br> Club Map: http://www.hrc-ukc.com/clubinfo.htm<br> Club Contact Info: http://www.hrc-ukc.com/Club%20Map%20Legend%20Presidents%20Information.htm<br> Membership Application: https://secure.ukcdogs.com/forms/huntretrv.html

 

[Ylwlabs]

<P>Kevin and Matt Nicely said... </P>

 

[DiverDown]

<P style="MARGIN: 0px">Matt, there is no doudt that Sprig will be a super dog when he's trained. He has a lot of drive and desire. I just wished I could find someone that could either train him or help me get him trained<IMG src="http://www.websitetoolbox.com/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" align=absMiddle border=0>&nbsp;I am having a hard time getting him to do what I want<IMG src="http://www.websitetoolbox.com/images/boards/smilies/bawl.gif" align=absMiddle border=0>&nbsp;I think I waited to long to get him trained<IMG src="http://www.websitetoolbox.com/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><IMG src="http://www.websitetoolbox.com/images/boards/smilies/bawl.gif" align=absMiddle border=0>&nbsp;</P> <P style="MARGIN: 0px">&nbsp;</P> <P style="MARGIN: 0px">Orion, I didn't mean to offend you or anyone, with this post. I was just wondering which type of training would be best for a dog that is going to hunt and not be ran in field trails. DD</P>

 

[Orion]

DD, no offense meant, none taken.&nbsp; Sorry if it seemed I jumped on you, that was not my intention.&nbsp; I just wanted to encourage you to find an HRC club near you, and to not let the fact that ribbons and titles are involved deter you&nbsp; The members will be more than happy to help you train your dog. <br> <br> Go to a club training day or a licensed hunt test and watch the dogs and handlers carefully.&nbsp; Identify those dogs that you would really like to hunt over and ask yourself "why?".&nbsp; Observe the relationship between the handlers and dogs.&nbsp; Listen.&nbsp; Ask questions.&nbsp; Then approach the handler(s) of the dog(s) you like, introduce yourself, and explain that you are having a difficult time getting your dog to do what you want.&nbsp; That should get you started.<br> <br>