What age should I send my dog away for training?

westksbowhunter said:
Depends on the dog really but generally about 6 or 7 months. Best thing to do is to get with your pro and decide what goals you are looking to accomplish. Most pros have a 3 or 4 month basic training program but don't get caught up with a trainer that puts them on a time table. Some dogs move through basics quite quickly and others are slow learners.
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I agree that every dog is a little different even from the same litter. As a general rule of thumb I think you are right in the ballpark 6-8 months. Some could carry out to 12-14 months, but your trainer if he or she is any good will be able to tell you fairly quickly about what age you should start your training.:thumbsup:
 
GPowers said:
Or you can just get Labs and not worry about it..:D
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Long haired dogs are wonderful breeds but they can really suffer in sticker/burr country. A friend had a Brittany that wouldn't let us pull the cockle burrs out of its coat after hunts but would do it itself. We'd be standing leaning on the pickup bed talking with the dog in the dog box next to us and every so often we'd hear a little clunk and rattle and see another cockle burr it had pulled off and somehow spit out the crate's grate door. It kind of flicked the burr with it's tongue and got very good at getting rid of them itself.
 
Just an update everyone. I have been talking to my trainer and he will be back home in Minnesota on the 1st of May. My pup will be 8 1/2 months old at that time and he will have her for probably 3 months. Between now and then he has committed to helping me get her as far as possible in her training so when I hand her off he knows what I have been working on and what stage she is at. Thanks for all the advise and personal messages I will keep you updated on her progress. By the way I was encouraged by my trainer to get the Bill Hillman video series and start her with his methods so I have been working with her daily on the basics of retrieving, sit, and walking on a lead and or dragging that lead.
 
GB?

Sounds like a perfect plan.

You get to lay the foundation for the building of a legendary hunting dog !

:D

Gonna be fun.:thumbsup:
 
Just a brief update on my pup Reba! I just went to visit her today at the trainer. She has been there a little over 2 months. She has been force fetched, collar conditioned, taught force to a pile, has done her yard work on the T, working on longer marks, and now into swim by. Man that is a lot of information for me to remember let alone a dog under the age one 1! I will say this my trainer is thorough and trains to where the dog is at. Now he is going to work on longer blinds that are established and then as you increase distance throw in a mark. I am very satisfied with where she has come from and how well my trainer has explained things to me of where she is at and how he is correcting, training, and building on her foundation! I can hardly wait for this season to come. Once again I will have two well bred, well trained Golden's at my side and in the field in front of me.

On a side note I think I will probably title her in a JH (AKC) to give her a title on her pedigree and for the fun of working and continuing training. The trainer feels she is a dog that could work through her masters. The only problem is the owner (me) is limited on his abilities. Maybe this is the dog I take farther thanI have gone in the past.
 
David0311

goldenboy said:
That's right David! How did you know I sent her to them? Did I post that somewhere else?
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Remember when you were considering them we talked and I highly recommended them as both trainers and great people--

Got to know them very well when I was with D. Rorem both here in Mn. and in Texas during winters--they have stayed at my home and have a open invitation any time--great people--dc
 
david0311 said:
Remember when you were considering them we talked and I highly recommended them as both trainers and great people--

Got to know them very well when I was with D. Rorem both here in Mn. and in Texas during winters--they have stayed at my home and have a open invitation any time--great people--dc
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That's right David, I forgot about that conversation. Yes I think they are wonderful and Tim is very good at explaining to me what he is doing, why he is doing it, what the dog is thinking, and how each step builds on the last one. I think I am going to have Lauren run my pup in her first JH test at the end of August!
 
goldenboy said:
That's right David, I forgot about that conversation. Yes I think they are wonderful and Tim is very good at explaining to me what he is doing, why he is doing it, what the dog is thinking, and how each step builds on the last one. I think I am going to have Lauren run my pup in her first JH test at the end of August!
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What test are you entering the pup in? Now that the Big dog is qualified for the Master National I'm trying to work a lot of tests.
It would be nice to meet you
 
Gatzby,

I am going to enter her in the JH hunt test at Marine on the St. Croix August 27 and 28. I think they are probably running seniors and masters on that weekend as well. I work on Sunday's! (pastor) But I want to run her myself on Saturday and maybe watch part of her tests on Sunday afternoon. Let me know if you will be there and we can exchange phone numbers or something to get connected.
 
Hi Joel,

How is your puppy healing? That was a nasty gouge on her back! Hope she is doing well. Good luck at the trial. Jon
 
Crossing shot said:
"taught force to a pile"

What does this mean?
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Force to pile is more or less the first step in teaching a dog to handle after FF, collar fetch, stick fetch, and fetch no fetch. A pile of white bumpers is placed in a conspicuous spot, dog is told to fetch from heal and pressure is applied with collar. This teaches the dog he must go when sent. Its just a tool to use when a dog is running a challenging blind or a incredibly difficult retrieve. Imagine you shoot a bunch of ducks and they more or less land in the same area, then you cripple one at he sails 100 yards further out and the dog doesn't see it. Most likely the dog will get hung up where all of his previous retrieves have been. After force to pile you can whistle sit the dog, give the appropriate cast with a low nick on the collar to push him through. Its all about fairness and clarity, people hear force and imagine a cruel pain inducing process when in reality its just a tool to help the dog do his job efficiently
 
Gatzby said:
Force to pile is more or less the first step in teaching a dog to handle after FF, collar fetch, stick fetch, and fetch no fetch. A pile of white bumpers is placed in a conspicuous spot, dog is told to fetch from heal and pressure is applied with collar. This teaches the dog he must go when sent. Its just a tool to use when a dog is running a challenging blind or a incredibly difficult retrieve. Imagine you shoot a bunch of ducks and they more or less land in the same area, then you cripple one at he sails 100 yards further out and the dog doesn't see it. Most likely the dog will get hung up where all of his previous retrieves have been. After force to pile you can whistle sit the dog, give the appropriate cast with a low nick on the collar to push him through. Its all about fairness and clarity, people hear force and imagine a cruel pain inducing process when in reality its just a tool to help the dog do his job efficiently
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Right on Gatzby! My trainer even pointed out that this is an exercise in obedience rather than just retrieving. This must be in place before you send a dog to retrieve something they don't know is there. They go out of obedience rather than because they know or can see a bumper. Then they start to lengthen those casts to a known pile at greater distances until eventually they can send them on a blind retrieve that the dog knows nothing about but goes in the direction they are sent because of obedience rather than the drive to retrieve. It is a huge step in the process of training a dog that I have not mastered and I need help and coaching in this as well. My trainer is so good that he even tells me what my dog is going to do next because he understands the mind of dogs. To long to explain here, but he told me the body language of the dog before we started the drill and what I would expect to see and why! He was spot on.
 
goldenboy said:
Right on Gatzby! My trainer even pointed out that this is an exercise in obedience rather than just retrieving. This must be in place before you send a dog to retrieve something they don't know is there. They go out of obedience rather than because they know or can see a bumper. Then they start to lengthen those casts to a known pile at greater distances until eventually they can send them on a blind retrieve that the dog knows nothing about but goes in the direction they are sent because of obedience rather than the drive to retrieve. It is a huge step in the process of training a dog that I have not mastered and I need help and coaching in this as well. My trainer is so good that he even tells me what my dog is going to do next because he understands the mind of dogs. To long to explain here, but he told me the body language of the dog before we started the drill and what I would expect to see and why! He was spot on.[/QUOT

I know what you mean, I've trained with Tim a few times....... He can read dogs like a book. I think that is what makes him such a good young dog trainer. He can see a break down in confidence before it manifests into failure. He will then simplify or clarify the setup so the dog can succeed. I trained at Rick Stawskis last night and could have used his guidance as my setups were way to much for my young dog.
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David0311u

Tim and Loren would be blushing hearing all this praise :) not that that don't deserve it--:cheers:no one work harder--and is more dedicated to their profession--

There is a reason that he is a preferred young do trainer by Dave Rorem

Rick is also a great guy and young dog trainer

I'm pleased that your happy with the results

Have either considered one of the seminars put on by some of the pro's--some of them are fantastic--just be sure you select one that is appropriate. To your level--they may seem like trying to drink from aa fire hose with the amount of information but if the proper one is selected well worth it--

JMO--doc
 
David 0311

As it so happens I talked to Tim this morning after my last post--he is quite possibly going to put on a seminar here in Bemidji sponsored by the local club --possibly this fall but more likely next spring--did not know that before prior post I will more then likely assist him if possibly--(bird boy -gunner ect.)

Just for your information --dc
 
Well here is the next step in my training of a new pup. This weekend I will run her in her first hunt test. She is entered into a AKC JH test in Minnesota this Saturday and Sunday. Then she has another test over the Labor Day weekend. If she passes all four she will have a JH title at one year and 15 days old. Now just that minor detail of passing those tests!
 
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