[RetrieversONLINE]

Sorry I joined this discussion late—just too busy Pre-Canadian National Amateur training and baling hay and cutting ponds, BUT it really seems that you haven’t found about the Stand Alones the way I do them which is very efficient-perhaps even more so than launchers when combined with blinds also. I describe this in my Training Retrievers Alone DVD and Book.


I also discuss the pros and cons of all the devices and sorry . . . there is no perfect device. Each has their advantages and disadvantages but gradually you will build your arsenal and then learn that you must couple it with the real thing-bird boys, flyers and the whole shebang. BUT you can do a tremendous amount of preparation and then maintenance while training alone.

PS. I know how important this stuff is to so many of you so I make a point of trying to include a Training Alone article in every issue of Retrievers ONLINE magazine. These articles are always based on actual field experience with my own dogs and thus address many of the issues that all of us Amateurs face every day. Nobody said it was easy!!!!