[22899]

I think I represent a good "Worse Case" scenario..

A Dangerous handler, a bit hard headed ,and easy to confuse.,,doesn't handel frustration well..
Found a GREAT Group with a VERY Patient Pro for help..

The puppy... Well bred, but the first puppy this owner took the time to train (himself, but with MAJOR help)in a organized program... Puppy needed cautious attention.. Not the highest "drive" in the world,, but a VERY compliant dog...

The DOG attained HRCH, and a Master Title... We ran Senior first,, breezed through it.. then ran HRC, attained HRCH with a very respectful 7 straight record.
Afterwards, Master ,She went 5 for 7...

The HANDLER (Me) tends to hold her back ,,but I think I represent a guy who does some hunting, but running tests isn't what he is very good at..

The "Average" guy can absolutely accomplish high goals, if you consider some of us mediocre (at best) guys do it..

Its all about big ears, and putting in the time..

We would like to see this spring, if we can hold our own through a Qual series or two... Lofty Goals for Flinch's owner

Find some good help,, and go for it!

P.S. And let me tell you,, Shes wasn't 14 months old when she accomplished this! She turned 5 this past Fall..

 

[2labs]

To me a couple more obvious factors in taking a dog to higher levels are often left out or overlooked. Time and facilities are just as important as the ped on your pup. When you work 40+ a week and then you get to go to your favorite town park with a mud hole in the middle your access to sub par training grounds will start to show. The dogs who see tech water, multiple re-entries and hand thrown marks with gunners rise above... Can it be done? Yes, but at a rate of twice as long.

 

[Tobias]

There's a fellow up here who has an unregistered lab who runs him in hunt tests. He has completed the requirements to have his master title (but obviously doesn't since he is not registered) - BUT the dog has seen some pro training. Not sure how much.

I don't think it is impossible to train and run a dog from a hunting dog breeding in master level tests. I think it is impossible for an 'average' trainer to take said dog to that level, however. (Define 'average' - someone who has trained only a couple of meat dogs or can do a generally good job of teaching solid basic obedience). Training dogs is an art and if you want to reach even the upper levels of hunt tests you have to have above average ability to train a dog (and that is assuming you have access to grounds and groups to train with). MHO.

 

[Sundown49 aka Otey B]

It takes the time, patience and "want to" to accomplish anything with a pup. It helps to have grounds available to show your pup what you want the pup to do. My first dog was a Back Yard Bred that just happened to like to retrieve a little. Took 3 years to obtain a JH and a HR title. Next pups were better bred and success came a whole lot easier. Good luck on your quest. It is possible but it takes a compliant pup and TEACH the pup what you expect. Success will come.

 

[O.clarki]

Depends on how bad you want it but totally doable for an average person to get a MH on a decent dog (and sometimes not so great dogs!) if they have the resources: grounds, equipment, birds, follow one of the good programs, ask for help from more experienced folks. I put a MH on my first test dog with 0 professional help - just me, some old Lardy manuals, and my willingness to get to some group training every once in a while to expose the dog to that and see different folks approaches to training and set-ups.

 

[TexasAce]

I appreciate all of the comments and opinions from both sides. I want to clarify though. When I said my puppy was an average dog, I did not mean that in a negative way. I just meant that she did not come from a highly titled line of dogs. I am impressed with what I have seen from the sire and the dam as hunting dogs and I believe there are some good dogs further up the line too, but did not run tests. Who knows if they would have titled or not? I will be very happy and proud if I am able to get her to a HR/SH level. I was just wondering what was possible I like many others enjoy the dogs and the training as much as I do duck hunting and look forward to getting to train and work year round. I plan to take it slow and not get in any hurry. I am not trying to set the world on fire and have nothing to prove. I am hoping to learn at least as much as the dog does along the way and make sure things are right before I move forward. Thanks again for all of the encouraging words and also for the words of caution and reality check. I am sure you will hear from me again when I get off track and can’t figure out where to go from here. Here we go and we shall see where we end up. Thanks!!

 

[Tobias]

where there is a will, there is a way! You will probably be sucked in like the rest of us!

 

[Charles C.]

I appreciate all of the comments and opinions from both sides. I want to clarify though. When I said my puppy was an average dog, I did not mean that in a negative way. I just meant that she did not come from a highly titled line of dogs. I am impressed with what I have seen from the sire and the dam as hunting dogs and I believe there are some good dogs further up the line too, but did not run tests. Who knows if they would have titled or not? I will be very happy and proud if I am able to get her to a HR/SH level. I was just wondering what was possible I like many others enjoy the dogs and the training as much as I do duck hunting and look forward to getting to train and work year round. I plan to take it slow and not get in any hurry. I am not trying to set the world on fire and have nothing to prove. I am hoping to learn at least as much as the dog does along the way and make sure things are right before I move forward. Thanks again for all of the encouraging words and also for the words of caution and reality check. I am sure you will hear from me again when I get off track and can’t figure out where to go from here. Here we go and we shall see where we end up. Thanks!!

I would caution you against price shopping for a pup. $300 or $400 extra is a drop in the bucket compared to the price of feeding, treating, training and running a dog. Also, find a good, committed training group. Don't get too wrapped in whether the members of that group do HRC tests, AKC tests or field trials. Despite what a few blowhards will tell you, the different venues are more similar than different as far as training is concerned.

 

[Hambone]

You have one thing going for you, being an educator gives you a little more time than the average guy. Unless you get caught up in coaching or go into administration like I did. A lot will depend upon your dedication and finding the time to do the training required to get your dog to MH level. Don't know if you have children yet but as kids get into sports and other activities it becomes very difficult to devote the time needed to get your dog to the higher levels and keep them in top form. A well-bred hunting dog can do the HRCH and MH in my opinion - I have done it with dogs that have no pedigree whatsoever but they came from proven hunting dogs and had a decent level of drive and desire. All the other things mentioned like access to good training grounds and technical water are important as well but your willingness to learn and dedication to putting in the time needed to reach your goals will really be the determining factor. Oh, and if you are married - a VERY understanding and tolerant spouse is critical. I was lucky and married the right girl but I did not really get serious about training until my daughters were older and pretty independent.

 

[Hunt'EmUp]

Really depends on how much time-effort you put into it. That and lucking into a dog that has the talent, tractability, desire and fortitude to over-come the biggest issue (as in being trained by YOU). HRCH, MHR, MH, QAA; prehaps more, not gonna be easy but if your pig-headed enough to keep going at it; and the dog can do it, wants to do it, might even be good at it. No real limits.

As for pedigree and papers, whelp it can help stack the deck; but I bought my first pup, out of the penny-saver for $400, didn't know nothing about training, never hunted with a dog, worked full time still ended up with an MH, HRCH, GMHR, Qual JAM (til both I and the dog lost interest, and remembered hunting was the reason we were both doing this)