RetrieverTraining.Net - the RTF banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

I have never enjoyed retriever training any more than I did today.

Jump to Latest
1 - 13 of 13 Posts

Chris Atkinson

· Registered
Joined
·
8,593 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I figured I'd type this out for the forum since I was thinking it.

The coolest thing about this is that I believe if PJ, my current retriever pal, could talk, he'd say the same. Today we trained with a few of my closest friends and their dogs.

I felt the same way last night after walking an abandoned golf course with just my dog.

I wish I could harness this feeling for me, for my dog, and for the dogs I hope to train in the future.

Maybe I can. I can sure try.

- make today your best training day yet. Your dog will appreciate it.

-cda
 
#2 ·
Chris, training is more rewarding than trialing and it has many rewards. Extends your hunting season with your best friend.Gives a sense of accomplishment as your dog progresses and also lets you make new friends and refresh old acquaintances. It's the best of both worlds.
 
#4 ·
I know how you feel brother Chris. We went to the Atlanta hunt test yesterday and the big chocolate I've been training was running junior. He didn't cheat the water like about 60% of the dogs did. It was a junior ribbon (his first ribbon) and I got a new guy into hunt tests who had never been to the line before (his wife will hate me). Who knew a junior pass could be so cool?

Junior hunt test bank running regards,
Terry
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#5 ·
I suffered through a personal tragedy about 2 weeks ago.

Yesterday I got out a bumper and the dog I'd "retired" 18 months ago, because of my infirmities, went ballistic. I put a collar on her and took her out in the front yard to throw the bumper just in fun. She was a little rough at first but over 8-10 throws, started to really settle down and was enjoying the work and the companionship. She seems to remember her lessons on steadiness and even was working across the drive and thence uphill in the long grass. I may just put her back in training and see what we can see. Dogs can be rehabilitative for the soul.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#7 ·
Friday Afternoon, was a nice day and I got home from work with plenty of time left in the day to train. But I was tired from a long week and work and a bum leg that just sucks the energy from me. So I was too tired to train, but went out in the back yard with the tennis ball thrower .My 3 labs (13+, 5 and 11 mo) and our Jack Russell who retrieves with the intensity of any retriever. I threw tennis ball for them for about 20 minutes. Labs get to sit (tiny bit of training) while I throw one for the Jack, since she never brings it back to hand I have a handy fetcher to pick up errand balls. Also have the labs honor each other, essentially a cold honor. By the end they were getting a bit hot so a dip in the pond was called for.
Was much more enjoyable for all than dragging out the remote equipment and doing something more formal. Sometimes we all just need a little fun.

Sometimes I feel I put too much pressure on myself to train, train, train, then remember, this is supposed to be fun, not work!!
 
#8 ·
I could not agree more. I enjoy the training more than anything. Maybe someday I will be able to compete in FTs, but right now, I would rather train with my friends!
 
#9 ·
I was thinking about this post as I set up a new pattern field on a fine spring afternoon..sun was out, she ran hard and cooled off in the river, we had fun together..thank you for sharing!
 
#10 ·
Leddyman said:
I know how you feel brother Chris. We went to the Atlanta hunt test yesterday and the big chocolate I've been training was running junior. He didn't cheat the water like about 60% of the dogs did. It was a junior ribbon (his first ribbon) and I got a new guy into hunt tests who had never been to the line before (his wife will hate me). Who knew a junior pass could be so cool?

Junior hunt test bank running regards,
Terry
Click to expand...

Terry,

I was there in Junior on Saturday as well. I wish I had known because I'd have liked to shake your hand.

I was there with my daughter who was running our CLF rescue dog in their first AKC test. She did run the bank on that right hand bird that was so cheaty and ran the bank on the way back twice. She has been through swim by but I wasn't sure if/how she would handle for my daughter. When I saw how cheaty the right hand bird was I knew bank running was very likely for her but I just told my daughter to let her do whatever she was going to do and let the judges judge. I didn't want to make it worse by having her blow off my daughter's whistles and hand signals and force the judges to judge handling.

Guess what we worked on yesterday? She isn't cured but she would almost certainly at least get her feet wet on that right hand bird today.

After 2 Started tests and 1 Junior test, I think my daughter is hooked.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #11 ·
It just keeps on going. My training group is the best in the country.

I ran my first hunt test in 1988 and have had many training partners over the years. They were (almost) all awesome friends and great experiences. But my group today is better than I’ve ever had before!

How lucky is that? My pelt dresser is nothing. It probably never will be. But my retriever experience enjoyment bank - the account is bursting! What’s more important, my 3 year old lab literally thinks every day training is better than the last.

Thanks to to all of you who have influenced me and helped me grow as a trainer.

Bill, Mike, Patti, Nathan, Bruce, Bartek, Sheldon, Jordan.... the list is bigger, but that’s a good start. You guys are the best.

As the late Warren Zevon told David Letterman, and as John Hewitt used to remind us: “Enjoy every sandwich”.

I dont want want a dog who’s afraid to come in without a bird. I refuse to train one of those. I do want a dog that wants to find every bird- and who trusts me enough to know - if I call him in, it’s so I can let him get another bird.

I dont make gim get a bird. I let him.

Dogs’ tails should wag. And your heart and soul should feel it.

Chris.
 
#13 ·
Talking to you last evening I could definitely feel your eagerness, excitement & intensity.

I figured this would be appropriate as per are conversation. It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop See what that ball of clay looks like brother!
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
About this Discussion
12 Replies
12 Participants
Last post:
David Lo Buono
RetrieverTraining.Net - the RTF
posts
1.5M
members
36K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to retriever owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about breeding, training, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Retriever Training Forum Event Information AKC Field Trials Equipment, Gear & Miscellaneous Classifieds Training