Sounds like great advice. I think the real problem is that for many it is not easy. Problems with time, distance, and money make it difficult for many.
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Sounds like great advice. I think the real problem is that for many it is not easy. Problems with time, distance, and money make it difficult for many.
I think the first step, is you have to realistically have the dog.
That takes Time and money commitment.
With the pup I have right now, I am devoting as much time as I possibly can with the dog. I train every day,following assignments for homework I recieve from a Pro I visit once a week.
The training ground I have during the week is Pathetic, but I can get things done. Idont have folks to throw for me on a regular basis. I have remote wingers I use instead.
Now, with all that said,, I am a realist also.. I am a Horrible handler. Idont think well underpressure, I know my limitations.
As a handler, I dont think I can step onto the field, and compeate with a Pro that has the experience of training and running dogs all the time.
I love football. I played some in High school. I am a small man with little hands, smell like cabbage!
I would be a fool to think I could be a Pro Player..
My Goal is to have a well trained dog..
Gooser
MooseGooser
You set your goals and you achieve them. That is success.
And,,, I am very thakful for the people who DO run and campain dogs, and the organization that gives them the chance.
It gives us all a very good availability of dogs to choose from when we are ready for that next project.
Gooser agin
Gooser is correct you have to have a dog that is able to play at the FT level. After that its a matter of how bad do you want it. It takes some sacrifice to be competitive for most of us at the top level of retriever games. So gdgnyc, take a hard look at your goals then get about doing them. I don't know your situation just know that it can be done. When you get that blue ribbon its the best feeling in the world at that moment.
I played the game as an amateur for a lot of years.
The expense is horrible, but the real killer if you want to be competitive as an Amateur is the time commitment for training. Not many can give up 2 hours a day without making family sacrifices.
I think Field trials should have a buy in like a country club, or an age requirement to keep young families away.
Don
Thats the way i look at it..Quote:
Originally Posted by gdgnyc
Its like dieting,,,, You have to set reasonable goals to be successful,, otherwise its not very gratifying to see rewards that are not what you expect, for the amount of work you put in.
I love my dogs, I love the time with them. IF,, at a training day, Cherylon tells me I have done something REALLY well,, I will know She absolutly means it..
Thats my ribbon..
When I get a chance to take this dog hunting, and I accept an invite from Mr Jobman to come hunt with him on his Big North Platte river,, and Flinch sits well and retrieves birds, runs blinds, and shows that Mr Jobman,, the puppy he sold me is in good hands,,, I will be beside myself..
Gooser
MikeQuote:
Originally Posted by MooseGooser
I really get tired of hearing you say this. Frankly, I think that it is - for you (and others that I have seen over the years)
a) An attention getting device; and
b) A way to excuse poor performance
Ted
I couldn't agree more Ted. I think Mike might have said it earlier, if you keep telling yourself you can't beat the Pro's you never will.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Shih
I have seen Mike handle. He is by no means a great handler, but neither is he as poor as he claims. I think he needs to ditch the broken record, and put a new one on the player. It is my observation that when he sets his mind to something, he improves at it.