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I just don't freaking get it...

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2tall

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
It seems here that you are either a ribbon/title hunting person or a "wannabe". I love the the field trial competitions. But what the hell does it mean for a regular guy to see all the ones that are "serious" spend fortunes on a pro to train their own dog. Where is the corinthian part of the sport? I love my dog, I love training him, why is it considered necessary to send him away to get what I want out of him? If I don't hire a pro, I am not "serious". If I do hire a pro I don't get to learn to train my dog and enjoy every minute of his development. I really can not stand it when folks can't enjoy a hunt test or trial because the pros are running 20 dogs in front of them.

Sorry, rant over.
 
#3 ·
I have to agree with you Carol.
 
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#4 ·
I think the clubs would suffer greatly without the support of the pros...
It's just a little bit of time in the huge scheme of things.
 
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#5 ·
I have dogs that are sent to pros, I have dogs that get to stay home and get trained by me.... sometimes the "pro" dogs are at home being trained by me.. it's all good. I enjoy the dog work, and I really don't care who is running in front of me as the handler...

as Ken Guthrie would say, "It's all about the dogs."
 
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#6 ·
I watch the pros run their dogs and enjoy it very much. I watch the pros handle, I try to predict their whistle timing, their casts and try to spot mistakes or great handles where I wouldn't have made the same call.

I learn from watching the guys who I consider to be the best because I hope to remember little bits of moments when I am enjoying spending my time training (or better described as "train wrecking") my dog.

I would consider myself lucky to run in a hunt test/trial behind 20 pro handled dogs. If, I watch 20 pro handled dogs run ahead of me, I don't have any excuse for handler error,(which I have been well known to make many times) one of the dogs in the pack of 20 is bound to run the same as my own....think ahead, plan what you think your dog will do, think about how the pro reacted, how did he handle, was his(or her) whistle fast, slow, did he let the dog roll...etc...

My dog isn't a field trial dog but, I do watch every field trial I can make. I learn more watching pros than sitting on a tailgate drinking beer....(even though I am guilty of that too)

What it means to see all the "serious" spend fortunes? It means you can watch what is hopefully a great dog win a blue ribbon in front of you or become a FC---Watching great people and even greater dogs work is what the game is all about.....my rant....Paul
 
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#7 ·
Gun_Dog2002 said:
Carol, every person's idea of success is different. Find what you consider to be success and enjoy it. Go find your one thing....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k1uOqRb0HU

/Paul
Click to expand...
I agree. Well said, Paul.

Carol, if you measure your success by what others think it should be, you'll never be happy. I choose to be happy, and, at the end of the day, if my dogs only earn JHs, I'm fine with that. I'm the one who has to live with them.;)
 
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#8 ·
Carol,
I would love to train year round .... but Mother Nature does not always co-operate! Currently +18" of snow on the ground here!
 
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#9 · (Edited)
Carol,

You need to "ENJOY THE GAME" The pros give us ams something to beat. Weekend in and out I know it's the pros I have to contend with. Understand the competition is what drives the game. While the outcome is sometimes tough, it is the reality of the dogs work.

The pros have there place, it is right behind the ams! Just kidding! They do make the game fun!

As long as you see them as the standard we would compete with, you can understand they are just that.


Goose
 
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#10 · (Edited)
Carol - I agree with you 100% and that's why I run NAHRA. There are far fewer "pros" running NAHRA than AKC. The difference between NAHRA and HRC for me is geography. I love seeing what the FT dogs can do out to 300 yards or so. Man that is awesome....... but I personally measure my success with how my dog performs on opening day (to me that's awesome too !)...
It's like playing football in high school and college. Yes its not the NFL but it doesn't have to be for me to consider it a success and have fun.
As far as spending huge amounts of money by sending my dog away - well, I always felt we are a team. We win, we lose - together. I also feel that sometimes you need a pro for help and advice. I think everyone's situation and economic status is different. Hard to justify spending huge amounts of money for a round the clock pro, when I'm saving for my kids to go to college. Maybe I'll be able to one day. Maybe I'll chose not to. It's all different for everyone. What we get out of it is unique and special to us. It's how we make it.
Can a STARTED or UNTITLED dog be successful? Absolutely.
Good training regards, Chris
 
#11 ·
Its a question of philosphies more then anything else. Each person is going to extract what they want or need from these games.....
 
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#12 · (Edited)
If I do hire a pro I don't get to learn to train my dog and enjoy every minute of his development.
Click to expand...
Not true, you can hire a pro that will teach you how to train and handle your dog to get the most out of him, to be a team, have fun and advance, and be successful. Instead of being bored, watch the pros handle the dogs.
 
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#14 ·
Well I have a Pro for part of the year and train myself the rest....I absolutely enjoy the experience!

FOM
 
#15 ·
I started with a byb hunting Lab, I wouldn't be in this having the time of my life for the past 10 years if it weren't for a pro. So much to learn from people who do this for a living, I love watching them and listening and learning. On the other hand, I'd rather never run another Junior test again behind 20 owners who haven't FF their dog nor ever shot a cripple for them and time after time, pickup dogs called in for a simple water single. Enjoy the dog work, Carol, don't worry about the pro or am status of the handlers.
 
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#16 ·
Rainmaker said:
I started with a byb hunting Lab, I wouldn't be in this having the time of my life for the past 10 years if it weren't for a pro. So much to learn from people who do this for a living, I love watching them and listening and learning. On the other hand, I'd rather never run another Junior test again behind 20 owners who haven't FF their dog nor ever shot a cripple for them and time after time, pickup dogs called in for a simple water single. Enjoy the dog work, Carol, don't worry about the pro or am status of the handlers.
Click to expand...
Hey did you tear a page out of my diary? ;) Well said....

FOM
 
#18 ·
2tall said:
It seems here that you are either a ribbon/title hunting person or a "wannabe". I love the the field trial competitions. But what the hell does it mean for a regular guy to see all the ones that are "serious" spend fortunes on a pro to train their own dog. Where is the corinthian part of the sport? I love my dog, I love training him, why is it considered necessary to send him away to get what I want out of him? If I don't hire a pro, I am not "serious". If I do hire a pro I don't get to learn to train my dog and enjoy every minute of his development. I really can not stand it when folks can't enjoy a hunt test or trial because the pros are running 20 dogs in front of them.

Sorry, rant over.
Click to expand...
I can understand your frustration but pros are a necessity for the sport to survive.People use pros for different reasons

1.get the dog started and then teach them to run the dog
2.take the dog to other trials that the owner cant make due to work/family commitments
3.maintain the dog at a high level so owner can run the dog

there are lots more but dont be so quick to paint everyone that uses a pro with the same broad brush. I am sure there are owners out there that cant pick their own dog out of a line up because he is at the pro more than with the owner. Think about this if a pro wasnt around would the owners of all the dogs on his truck be able or willing to show up and run the FT/HT..
I have been told by many there is no sweeter prize than to beat the pros in an open/qualifying/derby....will let you know if I ever get the chance:D
 
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#19 ·
Most good pros try to teach people to handle their own dogs. The truth is the dog isn't so much of a challenge to train as it is to teach the handler to run the dog. So does it make sense to hire someone so you can be a better handler? And yes...:rolleyes: it all depends on your goal.
 
#20 ·
ErinsEdge said:
Not true, you can hire a pro that will teach you how to train and handle your dog to get the most out of him, to be a team, have fun and advance, and be successful. Instead of being bored, watch the pros handle the dogs.
Click to expand...
Our "pro" is training me more than the dog. He did train the first dog, then trained my husband. Now he's training me to train the dog. He works for pies too, so he's cheap;-).



I hope he reads this:D
 
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