The off season..

[Redbeard]

Brandy will be easy to work with, shes smart and eager to please, same as Karma and Cooper. Alone they all seem to do very well. Taz & Brandy had some competition issues, its unacceptable. Taz, Karma, and Cooper are all good loving dogs. Not sure why they didn't get along, have some ideas in how to get it straightened out. It sucks having someone leave their dogs at gine for these reasons that can be fixed.

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I'm curious bout the problems Taz, karma and cooper have. Sounds similar to my buddy's chessie and Charlie. 99% of the time they exist just fine. Then on occasion they get pissy with each other

[Redbeard]

Starting from the ground up. First time ever training a dog... I'll be posting here with lots of questions.


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whatcha training flintie?

[assateague]

I've got a few more months to wait for the pup, hopefully. Still waiting on the breeding.

do you're doing it then? And getting it this year?

Yes. If all goes right, should be ready late April/early May.

[FlintRiverFowler]

Starting from the ground up. First time ever training a dog... I'll be posting here with lots of questions.


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whatcha training flintie?

Got a female black lab pup Sunday.No papers. Only cost $100. Definitely was born under a trailer in alabama.


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[Tomkat]

Brandy will be easy to work with, shes smart and eager to please, same as Karma and Cooper. Alone they all seem to do very well. Taz & Brandy had some competition issues, its unacceptable. Taz, Karma, and Cooper are all good loving dogs. Not sure why they didn't get along, have some ideas in how to get it straightened out. It sucks having someone leave their dogs at gine for these reasons that can be fixed.

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Do you think they both just want to retrieve so bad they throw all training to the wind? They obviouisly like each other, so I know its not aggression.

As for the 3 unaltered males:

Short of a big ole dog fight, I dont know if they will ever get it worked out. I have never been in this situation before. I think it may be in their nature to see who "top dog" is. They are all 3 really nice dogs, easy to approach and pet, ect. This will be a Jarbo/GKR project.

Miss Brandy will be 3 years old tomorrow. She will never pee on my tires (or me) and she will never be a momma. But she has had a great start so far. I am pleased with her progress and ready to work on a few things for next season.

[Tomkat]

Brandy will be easy to work with, shes smart and eager to please, same as Karma and Cooper. Alone they all seem to do very well. Taz & Brandy had some competition issues, its unacceptable. Taz, Karma, and Cooper are all good loving dogs. Not sure why they didn't get along, have some ideas in how to get it straightened out. It sucks having someone leave their dogs at gine for these reasons that can be fixed.

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Do you think they both just want to retrieve so bad they throw all training to the wind? They obviouisly like each other, so I know its not aggression.

As for the 3 unaltered males:

Short of a big ole dog fight, I dont know if they will ever get it worked out. I have never been in this situation before. I think it may be in their nature to see who "top dog" is. They are all 3 really nice dogs, easy to approach and pet, ect. This will be a Jarbo/GKR project.

Miss Brandy will be 3 years old tomorrow. She will never pee on my tires (or me) and she will never be a momma. But she has had a great start so far. I am pleased with her progress and ready to work on a few things for next season.

[Redbeard]

Starting from the ground up. First time ever training a dog... I'll be posting here with lots of questions.


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whatcha training flintie?

Got a female black lab pup Sunday.No papers. Only cost $100. Definitely was born under a trailer in alabama.


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sweet you're gonna buck the odds huh

[jarbo03]

They definitely want the bird bad, but no more than dogs that remain perfectly still without flinching. It is a training issue.
Taz had been solid most of the year, the day we hunted, he finally couldn't take it, it's my fault but still unacceptable.

The male dogs don't need to sort it out themselves, Joe and I are the leaders. Matt can prob answer this better, but I am guessing there are very few fights between dogs at trials and tests, and I guarantee they didn't all pick timid dogs. They are trained to a higher level and know the difference between right and wrong.

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[Tomkat]

They definitely want the bird bad, but no more than dogs that remain perfectly still without flinching. It is a training issue.
Taz had been solid most of the year, the day we hunted, he finally couldn't take it, it's my fault but still unacceptable. AGREE. I hope you will help me improve in this area. We will get the two of them out for some real life tests this summer. I have an idea involving live birds...

The male dogs don't need to sort it out themselves, Joe and I are the leaders. Matt can prob answer this better, but I am guessing there are very few fights between dogs at trials and tests, and I guarantee they didn't all pick timid dogs. They are trained to a higher level and know the difference between right and wrong. I will take your word for it, I have never been in that situation before.

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[Redbeard]

They definitely want the bird bad, but no more than dogs that remain perfectly still without flinching. It is a training issue.
Taz had been solid most of the year, the day we hunted, he finally couldn't take it, it's my fault but still unacceptable.

The male dogs don't need to sort it out themselves, Joe and I are the leaders. Matt can prob answer this better, but I am guessing there are very few fights between dogs at trials and tests, and I guarantee they didn't all pick timid dogs. They are trained to a higher level and know the difference between right and wrong.

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is Taz breaking to complete or run with brandy?

I think you're right on the other dog's aggression issues

[jarbo03]

Yea, he is pretty steady by himself, not goid eniugh though. He definitely was having issues with Brandy around.
Cooper was being an ass to Taz, Taz was a real dickhead to Karma. None of them had ever any problems with other dogs, not sure why it happened that way. Joe and I have talked about it, we will fix it. We enjoy hunting together and want our dogs there also.

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[Tomkat]

Yea, he is pretty steady by himself, not goid eniugh though. He definitely was having issues with Brandy around.
Cooper was being an ass to Taz, Taz was a real dickhead to Karma. None of them had ever any problems with other dogs, not sure why it happened that way. Joe and I have talked about it, we will fix it. We enjoy hunting together and want our dogs there also.

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Maybe it was a puppy thing? Maybe she was being a retrieve hog that day? I have about concluded that its ok to hunt with one dog if you only have 3-4 people. Any one of our dogs has enough fire in the tank to handle all of it. You talk about ice or strong river current, that might be another thing altogether.

By the end of summer we will have all of them honoring each other and looking for the command.

[jarbo03]

There is no doubt, any of our dogs are capable of getting the job done by themselves. It shouldn't have to be that way though, we would alk be hapouer if our dogs were with us. I hunted one day without Tax this year, when we were in the boat. I enjoyed the hunt, company was great, took Brandy off on my own, in which she retrieved a bird for me. But, I don't plan on hunting without him again. I have no doubts the dogs will be ready going into next season, the great part is all of us have the same goal. I'm ready to start training.

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[Matt Duncan]

They definitely want the bird bad, but no more than dogs that remain perfectly still without flinching. It is a training issue.
Taz had been solid most of the year, the day we hunted, he finally couldn't take it, it's my fault but still unacceptable.

The male dogs don't need to sort it out themselves, Joe and I are the leaders. Matt can prob answer this better, but I am guessing there are very few fights between dogs at trials and tests, and I guarantee they didn't all pick timid dogs. They are trained to a higher level and know the difference between right and wrong.

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It's not at all a matter of a dog being timid or aggressive IMO. Fights at tests are not very likely simply because when a dog is being judged on honoring that dog is running finished tests. By that time the dog should be under control at all times and has been taught all the tools it needs to accomplish the task given. Now to introduce young dogs to that kind of situation in a hunting environment is asking for bad results IMO.Doesn't sound fair to the dog or handler. I wouldn't put any thought into "the dog may be agressive" or "this dog is too timid" it is simply a matter of obedience and training. Got to go to the yard and give them the tools they need to be successfull. Take baby steps when teaching them to honor each other and never let the dog that breaks reward himself with the retrieve. I think you guys are looking a little too deep into this. Any dog thats worth having will want to break, now it's just up to you guys to instill some solid OB. This is dog training, you gotta learn to roll with the punches, the only thing you guys did was identify a hole in training so now you can address it.

[Tomkat]

All very true Matt. And its also true they need to have some reminders from time to time. More yard work is coming soon.

[Flightstopper]

Been working through FF with the pup and its going great so far. Following fowl dawgs and to the point where I can stand and pull against him even without a pinch, been working in a few free ones last couple times.

[Eric Haynes]

Been working through FF with the pup and its going great so far. Following fowl dawgs and to the point where I can stand and pull against him even without a pinch, been working in a few free ones last couple times.

I started to FF my pup, but wasn't progressing as fast as I probably should have been. Got her reaching for the bumper. We did a ton of holding work before we even started. 15 minutes of holding and heeling, sits, heres and whistle sits without any flaws. She is now with the trainer for 3 months, can't wait to see her progress.

[Flightstopper]

Been working through FF with the pup and its going great so far. Following fowl dawgs and to the point where I can stand and pull against him even without a pinch, been working in a few free ones last couple times.

I started to FF my pup, but wasn't progressing as fast as I probably should have been. Got her reaching for the bumper. We did a ton of holding work before we even started. 15 minutes of holding and heeling, sits, heres and whistle sits without any flaws. She is now with the trainer for 3 months, can't wait to see her progress.

How old? Probably 6-8 sessions in right now and going to start walking fetch tomorrow.

[Eric Haynes]

Been working through FF with the pup and its going great so far. Following fowl dawgs and to the point where I can stand and pull against him even without a pinch, been working in a few free ones last couple times.

I started to FF my pup, but wasn't progressing as fast as I probably should have been. Got her reaching for the bumper. We did a ton of holding work before we even started. 15 minutes of holding and heeling, sits, heres and whistle sits without any flaws. She is now with the trainer for 3 months, can't wait to see her progress.

How old? Probably 6-8 sessions in right now and going to start walking fetch tomorrow.

So in 3 or 4 days you took your dog from not knowing hold or fetch, to walking fetch? Thats pimp!

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[Flightstopper]

Been working through FF with the pup and its going great so far. Following fowl dawgs and to the point where I can stand and pull against him even without a pinch, been working in a few free ones last couple times.

I started to FF my pup, but wasn't progressing as fast as I probably should have been. Got her reaching for the bumper. We did a ton of holding work before we even started. 15 minutes of holding and heeling, sits, heres and whistle sits without any flaws. She is now with the trainer for 3 months, can't wait to see her progress.

How old? Probably 6-8 sessions in right now and going to start walking fetch tomorrow.

So in 3 or 4 days you took your dog from not knowing hold or fetch, to walking fetch? Thats pimp!

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He is English lab after all.

Hold was taught before season and skipped FF for the time being. Already CC before season as well. Not the "correct" way but seems to be working alright.

[Eric Haynes]

Been working through FF with the pup and its going great so far. Following fowl dawgs and to the point where I can stand and pull against him even without a pinch, been working in a few free ones last couple times.

I started to FF my pup, but wasn't progressing as fast as I probably should have been. Got her reaching for the bumper. We did a ton of holding work before we even started. 15 minutes of holding and heeling, sits, heres and whistle sits without any flaws. She is now with the trainer for 3 months, can't wait to see her progress.

How old? Probably 6-8 sessions in right now and going to start walking fetch tomorrow.

So in 3 or 4 days you took your dog from not knowing hold or fetch, to walking fetch? Thats pimp!

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He is English lab after all.

Hold was taught before season and skipped FF for the time being. Already CC before season as well. Not the "correct" way but seems to be working alright.

Hey, sounds good to me! I CCd before i started FF too because I had done it before. Glad the pro is taking over though. Work gets busy this time of year

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[Redbeard]

Sounds fun boys. I'll be there again soon

[Tomkat]

I got 2 more months of chasing geese and then it will be time to go back to training, working on polishing the dogs up and spending a lot of time walking in the conservation areas with the dogs in the spring and summer.

I will be working on my boat. New lights, painting the trailer, a stove, a coffee maker, trolling motor, batteries.

That should keep me busy!

We will also be training dogs together, they will all hunt together and like it!

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AGREE. Jarbo we need to document how great we train them by filming both Taz and Brandy sitting still watching the other retrieving live birds this season. They need to learn to take turns, not be a bird hog!

[Flightstopper]

Very pleased with how training is going with the pup. Big thanks to Matt and all his help. From what I thought I had a decent plan going seems to be just a foundation to build off of. Big eye opener and the work is paying off!

[Matt Duncan]

Good to hear! This is the fun stuff where you get to see some progress almost daily.. Also nice to see that light bulb above their heads... Keep up the good work!

[Flightstopper]

Good to hear! This is the fun stuff where you get to see some progress almost daily.. Also nice to see that light bulb above their heads... Keep up the good work!

Very true although I believe the light bulb is over this guy's head

How's everybody else doing?

[Redbeard]

Cool deal flight

[Redbeard]

For bout the last three weeks, brother Charlie and I have been getting back to the basics. Doing simple field or yard work, short grass, 8 bumper wagon wheel drills, realigning, etc. Trying to reign him in alittle before this pup gets here. Also noticed he was putting on some weight. Have also had him in the river retrieving in the current. Has already slimmed down a lot. Also been monitoring his food intake closer. Can't trust the kids to feed him anymore I guess

[Eric Haynes]

For bout the last three weeks, brother Charlie and I have been getting back to the basics. Doing simple field or yard work, short grass, 8 bumper wagon wheel drills, realigning, etc. Trying to reign him in alittle before this pup gets here. Also noticed he was putting on some weight. Have also had him in the river retrieving in the current. Has already slimmed down a lot. Also been monitoring his food intake closer. Can't trust the kids to feed him anymore I guess

What's funny about the weight thing, is when I was feeding a lower protein/fat diet(think it was like 19/14, and before I learned about quality foods) my dog was gaining a ton of weight, even though he was getting good exercise. When I switched to a 30/20, he slimmed right down to all muscle and is full of energy.

[jarbo03]

Good food makes a big difference. Need to get back in to some dog work. Water temps are rising in to the low 40s, hope some swimming will help ease some tension of the season being over.

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