Training The Pointing Labrador

In this episode, I talk about the importance of understanding how your dog thinks in your training, and how to use their physical actions to decipher their mental state.  I also announce some changes in my personal and professional life.  

In this episode, we talk about two of the important aspects of raising any puppy, for anything.  One is respect for you and the things in the puppy's world; the other is a personal robustness that readies a dog for whatever comes it way.  These two things are most easily established at an early age, making later training and living together much easier and more enjoyable.

In this episode, from the position of judge all 3 days, I try to tell the story of the event.  From literal descriptions of the setups, the performances, the emotions and the energy, I try to share what we all experienced this past Labor Day Weekend.  In short, phenomenal dogs and gifted handlers.  The music was definitely playing....

In this episode, happening just before a couple of important national events, I address two topics arising recently. 1.  Ideas for staying calm and focused (at least as much as possible) while running the big event.  2. What is a 'good judge'?  Most of us think we are... but what are some things to think about as a judge?   Books and videos available at:  www.Batesworks.net

In this brief episode, I address 3 questions asked recently by a person in search of a puppy: 1. How do you know whether to get a male or a female? 2.  How do you tell if your pup points or not? 3. What do you do after you get it and it points, what then? Just my experiences I use to answer, but these are very common concerns.

In this episode, we talk about the components to your training and your dog, flushing or pointing, necessary to have a safe, efficient and very enjoyable upland hunt.  Waterfowl as well of course.  Most of the elements we train for to compete serve equally well for the hunter:  diligence to go as directly as possible to the bird, desire to waste as little unnecessary energy as possible, and the understanding that this is an activity done with you, not in spite of you.  Not hard if you train with these things in mind...

In this episode, I address the issue of a 6 month old puppy pulling on the leash and "ignoring" training pressure, along with getting a pup to retrieve with treats.  Differences in training philosophies usually just comes down to personal preferences and perspectives.  An interesting discussion...

In this episode, we talk about how to get ready for the APLA National, held at a bit of an elevation at Labor Day.  Dog fitness, what is involved in this 3 day event, knowledge of rules, handling 3 upland days in row..... etc., etc.  It's a huge accomplishment to qualify for this and a really huge accomplishment to be a finisher. Let's get you as ready as possible!  Listen on...

In this episode, given a question from a listener about when and how to "correct" a dog doing the wrong thing, I break down a perspective and approach on the subject of teaching and training.  It's a significant aspect of our daily training activities.

In this episode I breakdown the problem and solution approach for two things:  1.  A dog that will not get out from underfoot to hunt and 2. A dog that will run through any collar pressure to chase a bird.  Oddly similar approach to what seems to be opposite issues.

In this episode, I use a problem a person had with their dog that stemmed from a lack of trust, instead of any inadequacy on the dogs' part.  Often, we overlook the importance of teaching the dog they can always count on our consistency and honesty... puppies and advanced dogs.

In this episode, I discuss responses I received from the puppy raising podcast and talk briefly about breeding and often unwanted dogs.

In this single topic episode, I break down the things I think go into getting a youngster ready to leave the fuzzy puppy world and either be professionally trained, or formally trained by you.  There are some significant factors which save time, training money and the well-being of your dog.

In this episode, I take up 3 questions:  1.  Training your pointing retriever with non-pointing retriever people, 2. Puppy introduction to upland birds and 3. The impact of excessive talking while training or handling your dog.

In this post-test episode, I answer three listener issues:  1.  How old is too old to train a dog, 2. Getting good at training requires experience more than education, and 3. Can I train an upland retriever on retriever things first and then upland or not?   G update, now that she's a 1.5 X GMPR!

In this 199th episode, I talk about the single topic of basing your training on what your dog's behavior is telling.  You need to assess what is on your dog's mind, more than just what their behavior is.  It is an important topic for those with young dogs (and those with older dogs.)

In this episode, I break down the 3 aspects critical to raising a retriever planned for upland hunting.  The significance of the Walk, Retrieving and Bird Exposure.  Assembled in a way that makes sense to a pup, it creates a hunting partner which clearly understands its role in your hunting.  Not hard, just takes a little thought...

In this episode, after describing G's first run in the APLA Master tests, I address two listener issues:   1. Staying "in the literal moment" while running competitive events and  2. What to do with all the "down time" when raising a puppy.  After the walk and obedience training, what do we do with all the other time?   Book, Audiobook and Video series at Batesworks.net

In this episode, in response to a request, we talk about how to take a fire breathing dragon in the upland field to be staunch and steady, and then how to transition from pattern blinds to cold blinds.  Both are BIG steps, which are most easily taken by building from fundamentals, teaching, teaching, teaching....   Books and Videos available on Batesworks.net

In this episode, based on a client inquiry as to "how many hours a day" I train a dog, I discuss the thinking about daily training efforts.  More is virtually never better, often much worse to do to a dog in training.  Join this discussion on approaching the most effective way to train your dog for your desired outcome.   Batesworks.net