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Trey,
I live in Mobile. There are some pretty hard core trainers here that you would be able to hook up with and they'll be able to introduce you to some nice training grounds. There's nothing...

Frank,

sounds like you'll be starting FF soon anyway (almost 6 mo old), then CC, then it's over anyway. I find the check cord doesn't work as well with stubborn dogs, they tend to drop the bumper...

spray it straight into his mouth and see how he likes that -- bet he won't

perhaps one of the best answers I've ever read on this forum.

Good points GoodDog. I think we agree on running the bank. There may be a time when it's better for the do to do so, but the owner decides that, not the dog. So as you said, you send him to the...

this is the best part about owning dogs. good point to bring it back to and good conversation.

"Some times a savvy dog breaks" No, a break is never acceptable.

"Sometimes they take land instead of the water" No, running the bank is never acceptable.

"Sometimes they hunt at the end of...

This thread has become quite entertaining. Funny thing for me is that, 10 years ago, I was arguing differently than I do today. I remember specifically saying that I could easily set up a test that...

Ever shot a passing bird? Ever shot one that you hit and it flew and flew and flew and then just folded up dead and fell? That bird can get pretty far out there. A well seasoned duck dog is worth...

I call everybody "dude". No offense meant and I assume none taken.

Oh dude, don't misunderstand me. FT dogs are AMAZING!!! I was just funnin' (hence the smiley). I've shot flyers for some FTs to help some training buddies out. Those dogs are the best of the best.

Well, I'm sorry to say this but this is a huge problem. Obviously, the dog is not properly FF/CC or else that would be the simple solution. You could go all the way back and start over, but that...

Shoot a passing sailer and you can have a 400 yard retrieve hunting. I have. And there was no white coat out there to help either :-)

Dukdawg,

I always end up with more ducks than I really want to eat as I am really just out there for the experience and for the dog work. I've always said I would "shoot and release" if there was...

I had to miss opening day to go to my brother-in-law's wedding (I'm considering beginning to talk to him again soon). So my "opener" was to be 2 days at my camp in Louisiana and then to Arkansas for...

If you've run tests before, it'd be ok to start with seasoned. If you have never run before, I'd do the started tests. You (and your dog) are going to feel a lot different at the line than you do...

Everyone has already told you what to do -- basically make it easier for them until they are ready to pick it up off the ground. You cannot allow them not to pick it up. "It's not a choice" is a...

How old is this dog?

I think, to a large extent, if you ignore it it will go away a good bit. I think it mostly comes from desire. Do you make him sit for a long time before casting him? It...

If you can anticipate his pop, you can often prevent it with a BACK verbal reinforcement just as he starts to lose momentum. I also like the idea of going back to pile work/FTP for a session or two....

I'm going to say Amen and try to get by the abstract part so that snitch or some other non-believer can maybe see FF in the light that we do. Teaching a dog a command like FETCH or HOLD (or roll...

Rick,

I just want to say that I think you are doing a tremendous job of training your dog and yourself, recognizing when you need help, and moving along at a pace dictated by how your dog is...

Yeah baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's what I'm talking about. Great job, stick with it.

Reading this post and your sig kinda made me "snick"er. Maybe, if you had FF'd that chessie, he wouldn't give you that look.

As someone else said, maybe you should take a dog through FF before...

A few more random thoughts:

having a dog that's eager to please has nothing to do with FF. FF is about understanding pressure and how to escape it, not how to make Daddy happy.

what's his ear...

We agree. When you get to the point that you are correcting a cast refusal, you are treating that as you would a "break" -- you've had enough. Your trigger finger, so to speak, is lighter for a...