[AmiableLabs]

Does the use of retired marks in the minor stakes currently favor dogs trained by professionals?

This question is based on the presumption that dogs being trained by pros generally are introduced to retireds sooner than those trained by amateurs.

And I want to add even if it is true, that does not necessarily mean there is anything wrong with it. It seems to me if amateurs know they might see retireds in minor stakes, they need to train for them.

 

[Tim Carrion]

IMHO NO.

The 2yo dog trained by the pro or the professional amatuer probably has a greater exposure to retired guns,and other marking concepts, then the dog trained on evenings and weekends.
The use of retired guns in a Q favors the better trained dog. It may not be until age 3-4 that the non-pro dog is a legit competitor.

Tim

 

[Paul Rainbolt]

No more than any other concept.

 

[Jerry]

I've never thought it favored the Pro's. As a matter of fact I feel a decent amateur has an advantage over the Pro's in the Qual.

Jerry

 

[Criquetpas]

Kevin,

As soon as my guys are doing decent doubles, around a year old on land, we use umbrellas and pull guns?! It is a marking issue not a training concept issue in my opinion. In fact the retireds are sometimes easier when a young dog has a tendency to run at the gun! Having said that we are talking about simple retired guns, that don't involve too much wind issues, rolling terain, etc. As they progress most of our dogs are doing decent retireds in training at way less then two years old. What has that to do with Pro training? would be my question.

Earl

 

[Goldenboy]

For all of the reasons mentioned previously, no.

Now if it were a technical water blind in a Qualifying stake with a couple of points/re-entries, then I believe a pro trained dog has an advantage over the vast majority of amateurs.

 

[AmiableLabs]

Hey Earl,

We missed you this last weekend at AARC.

I got to meet Dennis Bath and Ed Aycock for the first time, a couple guys who have been around as long as you. :wink:

 

[Criquetpas]

Hey Earl,

We missed you this last weekend at AARC.

I got to meet Dennis Bath and Ed Aycock for the first time, a couple guys who have been around as long as you. :wink:

I'am in the minors compared to them! Had a judging assignment for the weekend. We had three assignments for the month of May, never again!

Earl