Encouragement for amateurs and pos. trainers in field trials

[Howard N]

I knew SOMEONE was going to tell me to get a Lab! They just don't look as good in a bandana!

But Jennifer, all dogs look GREAT with a blue ribbon.

[gdgnyc]

Why would I have tried it? Dogs only live so long and it takes long enough to get consistant performance. I see no need to waste time with something like clicker training. I want to be successful with my dogs therefore I train with the must jriven of methods like most on here. My dogs have great attitudes and enjoy the training more than me. Don't fix what's not broken I guess. Again to each his own. Anyone playing the games at the q level and finishing deserves credit and respect for it.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I didn't say "try it", I said "take advantage of it" thus alluding to your own comment. Just because a method is not electronic doesn't mean it is neither effective nor efficient. I had a conversation with someone who has two FC-AFC dogs. I told her that I noticed that she was taking advantage of more than just one method of training. Her comment to me was "Why not, can't you use more than one?". This person uses clicker, choker, and ecollar.

"Wasting time with something like clicker training." I also felt just as you do. I ridiculed the method. Then I saw its effectiveness.

I also respect anyone's accomplishment playing the games. I also respect anyone who has a thorough understanding of behavior modification and applies it to dog training.

Again, I am also playing devil's advocate.

[DoubleHaul]

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

Just to clarify: First, Second and Third were owner handlers. 4th may also have been but I don't remember all of the placements.

Nevertheless, Laddie is a fine animal.

[Judy Chute]

Looks like, counting Cape Fear...4 JAMS and 2 Reserve JAMs. All but one JAM earned this season, 2012.

Topbrass Lad of the Lakes SH WCX **, "Laddie"..nice pedigree!

And, he earned the RJ's..and two JAMs..4 in a row. Jennifer!, Reserve JAMS are recognition for exellent work

Certainly that shows that he and "Laddie" were becoming a team. Very nice ..that is a big deal no matter HT, FT..or level of competition. Congratulations on that...a great achievement..so hope to see more from this Team in 2013!!!

He has a FT bred Golden Retriever if anyone cares to look:

http://k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=257111 (love that hip clearance..congrats on that, too)

[Bill Billups]

Great accomplishment. To play consistently at the Q level with those methods tells me its a good dog and a very good trainer. I would expect that trainer to be very proud and satisfied and thats what its all about!

Bill

[Gun_Dog2002]

Anybody read what Ted said or, am I the only person who hasn't ignored him? Congrats on the placement. Any guy who trains his own dog should be proud of any ribbon. Ted gets coal in his stocking.

I'm not concerned with what encourages him. Anyone with money can buy a dozen dogs, get pro's to train them, wash 90% of them out and boast about those that succeed. More importantly I've gained more satisfaction watching a problem dog make progress, sometimes never getting anywhere from a title perspective. If blue ribbons are your only measure of encouragement, satisfaction or success metric, you're gonna be one huge grouch...

/Paul

[gdgnyc]

I'm not concerned with what encourages him. Anyone with money can buy a dozen dogs, get pro's to train them, wash 90% of them out and boast about those that succeed. More importantly I've gained more satisfaction watching a problem dog make progress, sometimes never getting anywhere from a title perspective. If blue ribbons are your only measure of encouragement, satisfaction or success metric, you're gonna be one huge grouch...

/Paul

Are you suggesting that one could be an excellent trainer yet not have a titled dog? I thought that the measure of a good trainer was the titled dog.

[WRL]

Great accomplishment. To play consistently at the Q level with those methods tells me its a good dog and a very good trainer. I would expect that trainer to be very proud and satisfied and thats what its all about!

Bill

I agree. If my only training decision becomes whether I should write the check with the black ink or the blue ink this month, its time for me to rethink my hobby.

WRL

[BonMallari]

Are you suggesting that one could be an excellent trainer yet not have a titled dog? I thought that the measure of a good trainer was the titled dog.

no the measure of a great DOG are the titles.......if titles were the measure of a good trainer then there a lot of trainers on here that arent "good" which we both no to be a poor assumption....

there are quite a few accomplished trainers out there that do not have a titled FT dog...but they are good enough to judge and they have the respect of their fellow dog persons

[Gun_Dog2002]

Are you suggesting that one could be an excellent trainer yet not have a titled dog? I thought that the measure of a good trainer was the titled dog.

You can always buy a titled dog

/Paul