[greg magee]

You make the assumption he doesn't train his dogs and only shows up to run trials, you would be wrong.

Lainee

I made no assumptions in my post other than Theodores pro being one sided. And I asked a question as a point of clarification to the before mention assumption that Theodore has yet to answer.

 

[Miriam Wade]

Could you please point out where I suggested anything but Theodore being a capaple handler. I have had people whom I hold in very high regard tell me that Theodore is a very talented handler and have no reason to doubt them. And would not suggest anything other than that here.

I didn't make my point very well (there's a shocker!) and I'm not trying to be argumentative, but in at least one post, you suggested that Ted is just regurgitating what he's heard/learned from his pro. While there's some truth to that, of course (lots of folks post what they've learned from a pro, a training program, etc.), my point is just that I don't think you give him enough credit for making statements that are likely borne more from hands on training and running his dogs. He's not like a lot of folks who know all the right things to post on the forum, but in "real life" don't know how to apply what they know how to spew out on the keyboard.

M

 

[greg magee]

but in at least one post, you suggested that Ted is just regurgitating what he's heard/learned from his pro.
M

See post 64

 

[Gun_Dog2002]

This is one of those questions that frankly in my opinion can't be answered. Too many variables make up my decision, and keep in mind you have to make this decision in a hurry. More importantly to me i would be asking myself how could I have been so distracted to not have a game plan in mind just getting the dog there and setup? I have already lost if this actually happens


/Paul

 

[DarrinGreene]

Could you elaborate on this?

I hadn't checked back on this, sorry...

Simply, the concept of running a memory mark like a blind means making sure the dog is lined up properly, looking where you want him to go and locked onto that target before releasing him.

I still suck at it but by focusing on the task, taking my time and doing a lot of lining drills, we are improving.

 

[Steve Shaver]

Ken

It was not my intention to pick at you.

A few thoughts:

1) I think it is better to be good at one side than mediocre at two sides.

2) I think most people would be better served by learning how to be good at one side before trying to run a dog on two sides

3) If you watch the really good handlers, there is an economy and fluidity to their movements. And they do not have a pattern set in stone. Rather they react to the dog as it is returning and based upon their reading of the dog, make decisions on how to influence the dog without the dog being aware of that influence. Their stance changes depending upon what the dog tells them. I think that is really the key to good handling on the marks, influencing - not forcing - the dogs on the marks

4) The key is learning to help the dog by influencing his behavior without his knowledge, so that the dog's natural abilities can be maximized. It's important to be a good jockey, but being a good jockey on the marks often means - if you have a good marking dog - making sure that you don't get in the dog's way

5) I think that if you want to be better at this, you need to be ruthless in your self assessment. There are very few of us who are as good as we think we are

Ted

I very much agree with Teds line of thinking on this. Also this post of his shows why he is as successful as he is. He thinks and analyzes every part of his job as a handler.
As for the poll I think there should be the option of "other". I ask, if the dog comes back and is lined up perfectly why would you screw with that at all? Makes no sense to me.