Training The Pointing Labrador

As promised, following the force fetch process, there is a substantial process through which a dog is taken which results in an enthusiastic and effective handling dog.  They can run blind retrieves or be handled successfully on marks, when they really understand what you are asking, and you have their full buy-in.   This episode begins with the first step past a good force fetch, the beginning of pile work.  Though it may seem trivial to us, for a dog to learn to repeatedly go get something they already got, the response can be difficult to get across.  We break it down into the smallest step to ensure the dog does 'get' what you are trying to do.

In today's midsummer episode, we discuss what 'fitness' actually means in our dogs, and how to assure the demands you make on your dog will do not do any damage and can be met efficiently.  There is a science to creating an animal fully prepared for challenging physical demand, but it takes some awareness, thought and understanding how important fitness is in any athlete. 

In today's special episode, we break down all the elements of running the American Pointing Lab National event:  The 2024 Triple Crown.  What does it require?  What type of things should you practice, what will a day look like?  Join in a practical discussion about what you will be asked to do, important rules and things to get yourself as ready as possible.  It is genuinely a great accomplishment to get to this event with a pointing retriever, and it is the ticket to the APLA Hall of Fame.  Listen in and make plans to be prepared for this National!

In today's fairly personal episode, the discussion covers how all our canines, in their performances and behavior, reflect back what they receive from their partners.  They are like the Divine Mechanism helping us to see ourselves.  When their performance and behavior is evaluated on this basis, it is both humbling and powerful in reaching the improvement we are looking for.

In today's episode, we discuss a couple different approaches to training a dog.  There is the 'teaching the right motions', the 'make them do it right', the 'repeat it until they get it' and then the one I like, teach them to give their best effort and reward that response.  Probably the last one is the hardest, because you have to pay attention the whole time, but it can certainly produce good results.  Have a listen....

In today's episode, we discuss the success of localized pointing Lab clubs and how we need to form more of these to help in educating more people about these dogs.  Where do you get a good pup, how do you train them with both retrieving and pointing aspects?  What should you do with a new pup?  How can you meet people to train with, what equipment do you need, how do you get help and how can you get a test in your region?  The PL world is expanding rapidly with the quality of dogs and trainers we now see.  I encourage anyone interested in participating in this expansion to contact me or anyone on the APLA Board so we can help get things going in more parts of the country.   www.Americanpointinglab.com www.Batesworks.net Juliannebates2021@gmail.com

Poor behaviors, new training problems, confusing troubles, generally stem from the dog being in a situation it cannot manage, is confused or is disheartened or distrustful.  But very few of us look at things this way.  Understanding the inner nature of your dog can often be quite useful in problem solving.

Today's episode is just a couple stories.  Stories of things that happened with dogs, not because of the training principles used, not because of any expert advice, but because the individuals really wanted it with their dog.  And when done with sincerity and belief, they did it.  Hugely inspirational to me over the years..

For those who test their dogs in any venue, we've all had the day when we were prepared, paid the entry, drove the distance, only to have our dog do something it has never done before.  We are dejected and mystified.  Here are a few ideas that might help in preventing the unexplainable.  

In today's "Tests are happening now" episode, we talk about how to best prepare your student for success.  I have found it isn't by practicing game day setups to get ready for gameday, but by understanding your pupil's psychology, behavior, fitness and ability to grasp the necessary concepts. Then work with these to prepare them to handle whatever the judges are throwing at them, good or not so good.  Best answer to a questionable judge is a well-trained dog...

Today we move past the obedience and moving hold and teach the dog to fetch the bumper with the single command.  In doing this part humanely and with thought, the dog is taught that it controls the training pressure, and that  by responding, there is no pressure at all.  A critical part of the force fetch process, particularly if handling is part of the training plan.

Following the previous podcast, this episode takes us from teaching 'hold' in a stationary and calm position, to teaching 'hold' while moving and carrying out basic obedience exercises.  This is the next logical step to ultimately getting your dog to deliver all retrieves calmly to hand and prepare for advanced handling work.  Always more easily done if broken down to pieces that make real sense to the dog.

Lots of horror stories about this process which teaches good bird handling and is the first step of teaching the handling process.  If you've seen it done in a hard way, it would scare you away.  Many of us are afraid or insecure about undertaking this step in dog training, but these feelings come primarily from not understanding what's really going on between you, your dog and the ultimate objective.  This is the first in a series of the 'how-to's' and the 'why's' a  person new to this training can use to do the process themself.  All of us who have successfully force fetched a dog well, started by not knowing in the beginning.

In today's early spring episode, we talk not about the dogs, but about you.  The human factor IS the limiting factor in our dog training.  Who we are and how we see and interpret things determines the outcomes.  We can require our canines come into our human arena, or we can ask more of ourselves and go into theirs....  it's a choice.

In today's episode, we break down the difference between "making noise" and useful and clear communication with your dog.  To effectively teach a dog anything, you must first establish a relationship in which the dog respects you and actually wants to be taught some new things.  This is most easily accomplished when you communicate in a way natural to a dog, and often sabotaged by implementing our human way of communicating.  Many training problems originate from our thinking we're teaching one thing, and the dog learning something quite different.  Interesting topic...

In this episode, we discuss the approach to training a dog that is fearful of things it encounters in training and daily life, and the same for the dog that has a mild interest in the work for which you got it.  It can often be accomplished, but it isn't a quick fix and takes an understanding and commitment on our part in training them.

In this episode, which is continued discussion of the important elements in puppy upbringing, we breakdown how to teach a dog to be its own best problem solver.  After clearly teaching them a concept, it is important to know how to transfer accountability for response from you to your dog.  Doing this effectively makes all advanced training far easier for both you and your dog.  Also, regular life!

Today's episode is about dealing with the best training habits for you and your young pupil to develop.  Not creating any bad habits is almost as important as the things you are teaching the little one. We talk about bird introduction, retrieving and puppy obedience.  These are the keys to the bright future you can build with your dog.

In today's episode, a topic I dearly love.  I was asked if it was possible to have a dog that came when called, walked well on a leash and off, and could be trusted while loose - without using an electric collar.  The answer is yes, but it takes some understanding.  We'll talk through this subject  in detail.   Batesworks.net

As with any of us in pursuit of something we are doing, a dog should enjoy what they are working on, look forward to it and share in the feeling of mastery of what they do.  There are a number of ideas and approaches in training dogs, some very harsh and demanding, some very passive, and then there is the way that actually reaches the heart and soul of the dog.  That's the one that is going to work best for the long term. Olympic athletes have to really want what they are working so hard to achieve.  They cannot be 'corrected' or punished into it; it comes from a genuine love.  Equally true for our canine counterparts.  At least something to consider in performance training or the family pet.