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Ted Shih

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Just got back from my fourth Rorem Handling Seminar. Each one is better than the last and I am looking forward to my fifth seminar next year.

Got to meet several RTF members, including DrBob

Am interested in hearing what he thought of the seminar

It was Lainee's fourth seminar, too, and I am interested in hearing what she thought also, as I did not have an opportunity to chat with her and Dave before they ran off to the airport
 
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#2 · (Edited)
I had the opportunity to attend my 3rd. Ted, it was great to see you guys. You did a great job as always.
I have to agree that the seminar, and handlers seem to get better and better each year. I was really excited to see my dear friends Sylvia and Dale run their dogs Gracie and Tank. Dale says that he will definately be back next year. How 'bout you Dr. Bob? Would love to see you run Finn next year. Thanks again for dinner.

It is amazing to watch "Team Rorem". They are a machine!!!
 
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
David

When are you going to join us as a handler?

Ted
 
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#4 · (Edited)
Hi Ted

It was great to meet you. I thought about doing the handler thing this summer in MN. I now think I will wait and go with you guys next summer. I think I need at least that much time to run those setups. Rorem did not let up on you guys. Difficult AA setups to say the least.

I made some great new friends. Dave Maddox, Dorothy and Silvia. Wow Dale hangs with some nice dog people. The 1850's farm house we stayed at was too cool.

Now time to start training for next summer.
 
#5 ·
Ted,
I was planning on running Jiggy this year, until the TPLO surgery. Maybe next year. I'll probably do what Syl did this year. Video the blinds and handle.

Yes Bob, that house is AWESOME. What a piece of history in a very historic little town. The ponds have excellent bass fishing too.

I hope to see you all next year.
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Bob

Since this was your first Rorem seminar, I would interested to know what were the three things that - first and foremost - you learned from the seminar

Ted
 
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#7 ·
Ted Shih said:
Bob

Since this was your first Rorem seminar, I would interested to know what were the three things that - first and foremost - you learned from the seminar

Ted
Click to expand...
1)Reading dogs: How, when and when not to handle by reading dogs momentum, attitude, tail crack etc.

2)Slow down and learn to understand your dogs rhythm

3)How to watch the eyes. If he's fuzzy on a particular mark let the picture develop.

one more is

4)Believe Blue
 
#8 ·
BELIEVE BLUE!! No doubt. I know without a doubt the seminars have made me a better handler - my first seminar I could barely answer Dave's questions, now on my 4th I am a ton more confident, but still humbled by what the other half of my team (Bullet) can do. This year by far was one of the best group of handlers, no doubt about it.

As far as what I learned:

How to handle popping...do not continue the pop, but unwind it.

Do not put pressure on the short guns, keep them relaxed.

I reinforced many lessons I knew but failed to implement at times - the opening of the triangle, breathing of the dog, rhythm, eyes have it and much more.

I also learned the temperment of dog I click with. I also learned to appreciate what a fine dog I am lucky to own. Rorem NEVER sets up series in which dogs can smoke without the help of their handler and a dog which already has some talent to begin with. Anyone who has walked to the line at one of his seminars will understand. At first it is very, very crushing to have your butt handed to you, but by the end of the weekend you realize that it wasn't too bad.

I am worried though, quiet a few folks from CO attended, damn it ;-) bring it on!!

If you can go to one, I would highly recommend you do!

FOM
 
#9 ·
I did not go to the one in Texas. But went to the one in Florida. I hope to attend next year as a handler if it is held in Florida again. I went as an observer and still felt I left as a better handler. The most important thing I learned was the handler triangle concept and better communication with my dog by opening my eyes and watching him and other dogs. I really believe my confidence has improved.
 
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Discussion starter · #10 ·
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Discussion starter · #12 ·
Bob

Most of the seminar was reinforcement - very good reinforcement, mind you - of things that Dave had discussed in previous seminars.

I use the seminars to get sharp for the upcoming trial season. There is nothing like the pressure of having to perform in front of an audience with a dog that you have never run to get your game day focus. And obviously, Dave’s critiques give you things to work on improving.

Nevertheless, here are three new things I added to the toolbox:

  1. When to "cool off" an area - remember discuss on Momma/Poppa triple
  2. When to let the dog regain its composure and focus - remember Larry Bozeman on walk out flyer double
  3. The difference in handler body posture for a big punch bird and a short retired bird (even though I have doing it subconsciously, I never knew the reason for it)
Ted
 
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#14 ·
Ted Shih said:
Which is what?

Ted
Click to expand...
Well being my 4th seminar I have had the pleasure of running multiple dogs at each, all with varying personalities. I have also had the opportunity to run dogs off Mark's truck, too. This past weekend made me reflect on what type of dog I liked after handling one that I did not ever find a report with.

I like one with a burning desire to get birds, I like one with a little bit of independent streak in them, I like one who will relent and hand over the reins when running a blind, I like one who has a brain to cover up some of the minor handling mistakes I make (i.e. slightly line them wrong on a mark yet they correct themselves and get the bird or one that will peak up from behind a point if I am slow on a whistle). I do not like timid dogs, I do not like dogs I have to beg to go pick up the birds or have to try and "bring up" so they want to work. I like the more wild dog, but not the vocal bouncy dog. I also do not like a dog who is so independent that they will run a blind how they see fit and it is a complete fight all the way to the bird. I do not care for the totally laid back dog on the line, because I found those types of dogs very very difficult to read......I swear Dave picked dog's that would challenge the handler's ability to read the dog.

I also found out that Bullet is about as good of a temperament for me as I can get....not that he needs any more fire in his belly, but I'd rather start with a dog who has a temperment like his and go up from there.....anything less and I think I would be at a loss.....

FOM
 
#15 ·
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#16 ·
JusticeDog said:
What does this mean .... "unwind it?"
Click to expand...
When they pop you handle with the arm that doesn't make them turn all the way around, but to go back the way they turned. If only "I" reacted fast enough to do it correctly. My dogs always must pop one way and I handle back with the wrong arm and it's always followed by my pro saying unscrew him and I say "I know." Could there be a GPS implanted programed that I do it right!?
 
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#17 ·
JusticeDog said:
What does this mean .... "unwind it?"
Click to expand...
Go to the seminar and find out! ;) Just kidding.....oh wait you have been before......

Imagine you just sent the dog....he is off and running and then pops....he turns to the right to face you, you do not want to give a left back, that will complete the full pop, but rather you want to unwind the pop and give a right back even if it causes you to go off line on a blind....it isn't about the line to the blind when the dog pops, it is about the pop, address that first then move on.....make sense?

I personally never thought about it that way.....does it work? Who knows, but it makes absolute sense to me and I'm going to use it in training from now on......

FOM
 
#18 ·
Nancy,

If you find a program that will help with remembering all the things like this popping thing then let me know! I do know my boy reinforced the triangle in a major way for me this weekend.....I get it drilled in my head "follow the dog, follow the dog" and then all of a sudden he wants to overcast which is now "go opposite of the dog, go opposite" - I almost tripped on my own two feet when my body wanted to follow but my brain was screaming opposite!!

If handling a dog was easy everyone would do it, eh?

FOM
 
#19 ·
ErinsEdge said:
When they pop you handle with the arm that doesn't make them turn all the way around, but to go back the way they turned. If only "I" reacted fast enough to do it correctly. My dogs always must pop one way and I handle back with the wrong arm and it's always followed by my pro saying unscrew him and I say "I know." Could there be a GPS implanted programed that I do it right!?
Click to expand...
And what if the pop surprises the heck out of you so much you don't know which way to turn, much less which way they turned? :D:D:D
 
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#20 ·
JusticeDog said:
And what if the pop surprises the heck out of you so much you don't know which way to turn, much less which way they turned? :D:D:D
Click to expand...
then you get to hear Dave's voice in your head - "Bad Handler! Tooooo sloooow!" ;)
 
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