[blksanders]

I am new to training world. My question is: Is it wise to review and learn from multiple different training programs or even mix them?

Example reviewing both Smart Works and Total Retriever, or is best to use one program initially then maybe expand later when you start a new dog;, or learn and review in the interim between dogs.

I know through reading many post on here, that people recommend sticking with the program and I know the programs are comprehensive, but my goal is to become more knowledgeable and verse in the different training methods to ensure I provide the best success rate for my dog. Dogs will be doing Hunt test along with being my hunting companion.

 

[BonMallari]

when making a cake or a meal would you mix recipes ? not if you want it to come out palatable...Training "ala carte" is a sure recipe for disaster...if you get stuck, Which program do you turn to solve the problem ? or do you know which program caused the problem ?

 

[llauck]

I like to use one program for the drills but watch both. You learn from each. Some may have a different drill that you can use in a couple of years if your dog becomes bored. But most have the same progression of drills but some teach it better on the DVD with better graphics and examples of dogs in learning.

 

[RookieTrainer]

Pick one for sure. If you are going to look at other programs for hints on how to do something, I would at least stay with the order of the program you are using.

IOW, you might decide to go with TRT, and if you do go in the order that program prescribes. You might look at Farmer's or Stawski's program for a different take on a given step, but keep the order of your main program intact. It will be hard enough without confusing yourself unnecessarily.

I am sure you know this too, but find yourself some experienced help. You are likely going to need it as we all do from time to time.

Good luck to you and your pup.

 

[dogguy438]

You mentioned Smart Works and TRT which are both very good and I wouldn't recomend one over the other, however you did mention being new to the game. One advantage you will have if you use Smart Works is the luxury of talking to the author right here on this site if you have any questions or you get stumped on something.

 

[BJGatley]

I am new to training world. My question is: Is it wise to review and learn from multiple different training programs or even mix them?

Example reviewing both Smart Works and Total Retriever, or is best to use one program initially then maybe expand later when you start a new dog;, or learn and review in the interim between dogs.

I know through reading many post on here, that people recommend sticking with the program and I know the programs are comprehensive, but my goal is to become more knowledgeable and verse in the different training methods to ensure I provide the best success rate for my dog. Dogs will be doing Hunt test along with being my hunting companion.

I think that your best medicine is to find a local retriever club in your area and pick their brains. If you can't be there in person then give them a call. Explain your situation and hear what they have to say. I really beleive you will be way ahead of the game and might have a mentor to help you.

 

[Jennifer Henion]

when making a cake or a meal would you mix recipes ? not if you want it to come out palatable...Training "ala carte" is a sure recipe for disaster...if you get stuck, Which program do you turn to solve the problem ? or do you know which program caused the problem ?

I use three different recipes to make my biscuits and they're wonderful. Just sayin'

 

[BBnumber1]

I use three different recipes to make my biscuits and they're wonderful. Just sayin'

How long had you been cooking and/or making biscuits before you decided to try a mix and match recipe? You cant just throw away the dog if your experiment fails.

Just sayin'

 

[Evan]

I am new to training world. My question is: Is it wise to review and learn from multiple different training programs or even mix them?

Example reviewing both Smart Works and Total Retriever, or is best to use one program initially then maybe expand later when you start a new dog;, or learn and review in the interim between dogs.

I know through reading many post on here, that people recommend sticking with the program and I know the programs are comprehensive, but my goal is to become more knowledgeable and verse in the different training methods to ensure I provide the best success rate for my dog. Dogs will be doing Hunt test along with being my hunting companion.

If you were an experienced trainer whose dogs performed consistently at a high level, I think picking and choosing from multiple programs is fine. You're new. You have two good ones. Pick one, and get your experience without turning your dog into an experiment.

Incidentally, dogs aren't biscuits. They are living, breathing, wonderful things. They deserve more thought and care.

Evan

 

[kirkball]

I used smartworks as a beginner and got my dog to her HRCH. Great program but I did get stick in a couple of places and the knowledge of other trainers that were not part of the program and carol Cassidy's book were of huge help. I think that it is okay to include other resources.

I don't compare it to making a cake. I compare it to teaching a kid to read(I'm a teacher). If the reading program that our school district is shoving down my throat to teach is not working, I'm going to try parts of another program to help teach a skill.

 

[blksanders]

Thank you all for your replies...I think this forum is great! Only if it were this easy to get answers like this at work and in life...

Pick one for sure. If you are going to look at other programs for hints on how to do something, I would at least stay with the order of the program you are using.

IOW, you might decide to go with TRT, and if you do go in the order that program prescribes. You might look at Farmer's or Stawski's program for a different take on a given step, but keep the order of your main program intact. It will be hard enough without confusing yourself unnecessarily.

I am sure you know this too, but find yourself some experienced help. You are likely going to need it as we all do from time to time.

Good luck to you and your pup.

Yes, this would be the plan...I am going through Smartworks, which was recommended by the breeder I purchased the dog from. I really like the program, thus far....I asked the question merely to see if reviewing other programs could shed additional insight on a process or troubleshooting methods or if once on a program it would be best to stick with it only. I have found through school and work, it is best to use more than one source, but I know this is not always the case.

The potential confusion issue is another reason why I am skittish to look at another program. If I went with a second program as mention above, it would be more for assistance with troubleshooting an issue that may arise.

You mentioned Smart Works and TRT which are both very good and I wouldn't recomend one over the other, however you did mention being new to the game. One advantage you will have if you use Smart Works is the luxury of talking to the author right here on this site if you have any questions or you get stumped on something.

Exactly, Evan has been kind enough to respond to a couple of my questions now:

If you were an experienced trainer whose dogs performed consistently at a high level, I think picking and choosing from multiple programs is fine. You're new. You have two good ones. Pick one, and get your experience without turning your dog into an experiment.

Incidentally, dogs aren't biscuits. They are living, breathing, wonderful things. They deserve more thought and care.

Evan

Thanks again Evan!...I plan to stick with Smartworks.

I used smartworks as a beginner and got my dog to her HRCH. Great program but I did get stick in a couple of places and the knowledge of other trainers that were not part of the program and carol Cassidy's book were of huge help. I think that it is okay to include other resources.

I don't compare it to making a cake. I compare it to teaching a kid to read(I'm a teacher). If the reading program that our school district is shoving down my throat to teach is not working, I'm going to try parts of another program to help teach a skill.

Those were my thoughts on choosing a second program. That is it generally does not hurt to have more than one source or method. Since not all dogs will react the same, but as mention above there are several risk factors, so I plan on sticking with just Smartworks at this time.

I think that your best medicine is to find a local retriever club in your area and pick their brains. If you can't be there in person then give them a call. Explain your situation and hear what they have to say. I really beleive you will be way ahead of the game and might have a mentor to help you.

Yes, I plan to joint a local club soon and pick their brains...I also have a friend who has trained his dog, but he did not use a program, he sent his dog off to a trainer....I would do the same, since I am new, but I just have this self pride thing of wanting to accomplish things on my own and say I trained him...I know the feeling when someone tells me, "you have a great dog" or provides other compliments about him, that it will mean so much more if I were the one that did the training versus someone else.

 

[snuffdog]

I am somewhat new to the HT game myself but I tend to stick to one program (Smartwork in my case) until a problem arises. For example, during Force Fetch my dog did great on the table but had a shaky transition to ground because something wasn't clicking for him. I expanded and used a few tips from various sources, found one that worked, finished through walking fetch with the other program, then swapped back to Smartworks from that point on. I say find what works for your dog as long as it follows a set progression. That is just my two cents, if anybody wants to correct me I am open to criticism.

 

[MissSkeeter]

I am somewhat new to the HT game myself but I tend to stick to one program (Smartwork in my case) until a problem arises. For example, during Force Fetch my dog did great on the table but had a shaky transition to ground because something wasn't clicking for him. I expanded and used a few tips from various sources, found one that worked, finished through walking fetch with the other program, then swapped back to Smartworks from that point on. I say find what works for your dog as long as it follows a set progression. That is just my two cents, if anybody wants to correct me I am open to criticism.

Mixing programs can be potentially confusing to the dog. And the owner may then falsely interpret confusion as disobedience.

Let me give an couple examples of how mixing programs could be confusing to the dog.

In the 1990s Dobbs and Tritronics published a book on retriever training where the dog was given a "soft burn" when it took the incorrect route..cheating water and running the bank for example. The trainer said nothing, the idea was the dog eventually learned because when it took the correct route there was no low burn, when it cheated there was a low burn. Contrast that type of training with indirect pressure the instant the dog makes the wrong decision to cheat..sit-nick-sit, cast to the correct route. Mixing both of these would likely be confusing to the dog.

Some programs advocate use of white cones or 5-gallon buckets when teaching lining...the dog learns to line to a white target. Other programs use bird-boy drills where the bird boy may be in field trial white...the dog learns to line past the white bird boy. Mixing both of these could be confusing to a young dog, especially one just learning the blind game.