<P style="MARGIN: 0px">To train with a 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>
I agree with Matt. But, what do you mean by "fancy titles" and ribbons? Field trial titles and ribbons? Yes, I would agree, they are fancy in that they do not prove the dog can hunt. <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. 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. Better yet is a Hunting Retriever Champion (HRCH) caliber dog. <br> <br> Yes, they give out ribbons and titles for "meat" dogs. These are not "fancy" by any means. 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. HOWEVER, I don't train for ribbons and titles, I train for a dog that is a pleasure to hunt with. 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. The titles and ribbons are icing, they are not the goal. <br> <br> Don't sell the HRC program short. It gives you a clear goal, a target to shoot for and attain. We have a saying, "Train like you hunt, and hunt like you train." Field trial training doesn't cut it. HRC hunt test training does. I recommend that you hook up with an HRC club close to you. This may be West Central Ohio HRC. Good people. <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
<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> 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> 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> </P> <P style="MARGIN: 0px"> </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>
DD, no offense meant, none taken. Sorry if it seemed I jumped on you, that was not my intention. 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 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. Identify those dogs that you would really like to hunt over and ask yourself "why?". Observe the relationship between the handlers and dogs. Listen. Ask questions. 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. That should get you started.<br> <br>
