Encouragement for amateurs and pos. trainers in field trials

A guy with his first field trial dog (a golden) who trains with positive methods and no help from a pro or ecollar or force fetch - got his 5th Qual Jam of the year this weekend at Cape Fear.

The last series, he was the only golden and I think he was the only amateur owner/handler.

Not bad.

Yes, the dog is 5 and it's a minor stake, but it looked to be some pretty stiff competition.

Guys name is Lindsay Ridgeway with a Topbrass bred dog.

I have to ask, what is Positive methods in your mind. I believe most people incorporate positive methods in their traiing besides using trained fetch (FF) and the collar.

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Originally Posted by moscowitz

I have to ask, what is Positive methods in your mind. I believe most people incorporate positive methods in their traiing besides using trained fetch (FF) and the collar.

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Yes, I know you're right about that. Here's my definition: not using compulsion training or force training and using mainly motivation and positive reinforcement.

Want to add that Lindsay says he following Mike Lardy's TRT training model but without the compulsion element or collar corrections. I am doing the same and with much success so far with my 9 mos old.

No criticism to anyone who does use compulsion force, just not what I do.

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Originally Posted by Jennifer Henion

A guy with his first field trial dog (a golden) who trains with positive methods and no help from a pro or ecollar or force fetch - got his 5th Qual Jam of the year this weekend at Cape Fear.

The last series, he was the only golden and I think he was the only amateur owner/handler.

Not bad.

Yes, the dog is 5 and it's a minor stake, but it looked to be some pretty stiff competition.

Guys name is Lindsay Ridgeway with a Topbrass bred dog.

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Are you saying that this dog is at the maximum of its potential using this training regimen ? If not, what are you saying ?

john

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Originally Posted by john fallon

Are you saying that this dog is at the maximum of its potential using this training regimen ? If not, what are you saying ?

john

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I'm saying that it's encouraging for me to see that an amateur training his first ft dog who happens to be a Golden and using non-compulsion training, can finish 5 Field Trial Qualifying stakes with a jam against a field of mainly pro trained/handled labs.

That's it, the end. A lot of us training our first field trial dog are nervous and uncertain about competing at field trials. Add on the factors of running a dog whose not a lab and not trained with the same method all the others are trained with and you have a cocktail of things to be nervous about.

Anyone training their first dog and competing with any level of success should be congratulated and encouraged, regardless of method.

Tim

Awesome stuff.....good to hear about alternate training methods success.

Sounds like a talented dog. I wonder what if he had taken advantage of the wonderful technology available?

It sounds as if you're unsure of your method?

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Originally Posted by Jennifer Henion

I'm saying that it's encouraging for me to see that an amateur training his first ft dog who happens to be a Golden and using non-compulsion training, can finish 5 Field Trial Qualifying stakes with a jam against a field of mainly pro trained/handled labs.

That's it, the end. A lot of us training our first field trial dog are nervous and uncertain about competing at field trials. Add on the factors of running a dog whose not a lab and not trained with the same method all the others are trained with and you have a cocktail of things to be nervous about.

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Jennifer, Check out Lorie Jolly's book. Motivational training, Rosewood Kennels.com