seems to be a lot written lately about how we train/breed our bird dogs and the contradiction between making a hunting dog and making a trial/test dog. it has really given me pause and food for thought as i acquire a new pup and decide on my approach/goals for his development.
so often many focus on meeting/preparing for test criteria and (of course) working the dog on pen raised birds under similar conditions, that we may unknowingly be making a mechanical dog, conditioned to win trials or test at a high level. sometimes these same dogs never really learn to handle wild birds, becoming a hunting dog as intended. i have heard stories of high level champions not having the developed instincts to be top notch bird dogs in the field. i do believe, for me, there is a minimum standard of basic manners and handling that i expect and will train for...being steady, backing, retrieving to hand (drives me crazy when i see videos of dogs mouthing their birds and/or not retrieving or dropping the bird at the hunters feet....whatever standard you desire.
but i am not prepared to over train for tests and trials just to put the title on the dog's pedigree either.....the problem lies with knowing you are breeding/buying a pup with lots of natural drive and ability and so we look to titled dogs who have proven their worth.
for me i am not sure if i am looking at a well bred pup, a handler or trainer that is really good at development or a dog that can just handle the pressure/training to achieve high test scores/title? in reality it is probably a bit of both, just my speculation.
so, wondering, what are other folks thinking when they plan to develop the pup? i would guess few folks want just a "meat dog", but settle somewhere between a dog that proves his worth on paper and one that handles wild birds well in the field?
i have hunted with plenty of dogs with no manners, i would rather hunt by myself than run my dog with one that displays bad habits.
so often many focus on meeting/preparing for test criteria and (of course) working the dog on pen raised birds under similar conditions, that we may unknowingly be making a mechanical dog, conditioned to win trials or test at a high level. sometimes these same dogs never really learn to handle wild birds, becoming a hunting dog as intended. i have heard stories of high level champions not having the developed instincts to be top notch bird dogs in the field. i do believe, for me, there is a minimum standard of basic manners and handling that i expect and will train for...being steady, backing, retrieving to hand (drives me crazy when i see videos of dogs mouthing their birds and/or not retrieving or dropping the bird at the hunters feet....whatever standard you desire.
but i am not prepared to over train for tests and trials just to put the title on the dog's pedigree either.....the problem lies with knowing you are breeding/buying a pup with lots of natural drive and ability and so we look to titled dogs who have proven their worth.
for me i am not sure if i am looking at a well bred pup, a handler or trainer that is really good at development or a dog that can just handle the pressure/training to achieve high test scores/title? in reality it is probably a bit of both, just my speculation.
so, wondering, what are other folks thinking when they plan to develop the pup? i would guess few folks want just a "meat dog", but settle somewhere between a dog that proves his worth on paper and one that handles wild birds well in the field?
i have hunted with plenty of dogs with no manners, i would rather hunt by myself than run my dog with one that displays bad habits.
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