Yard WorkThe basics of obedience are the very foundation of all of the great ones without exception. No true partnership can be had without the understanding of 'Place'. There is no short cut, nor substitute, for this is the foundation of all the lessons to follow. These lessons can be accomplished in a small space indoors or out. This leaves all of us with no excuse for having only a small space or the weather.
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Field WorkThe toolbox of the scout and handler alike while training or trailing is a properly equipped saddle. Everything has its place and must be accessible and reliable. This is the office of the serious trainer and competitor alike. There is no room for clutter nor 'gadgets'. There is only room for purpose and function.
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EnablersTechnology has enabled the accurate location and ability to apply correction at almost all times in the field or yard. This has allowed us to shorten the learning curve substantially. This also assumes the proper introduction and use these tools. Timely correction in the proper dosage is the key to the development and 'polishing'. However, improperly timed corrections or over use can cause many worse problems - and creates them Much Faster!
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Pictured above are an assortment of the 'manual' training tools that I have used for many years. They are used from the very beginning when just starting and then throughout the entire development process of a bird dogs career. The check-cord is the single most valuable piece of equipment of any trainer. It and the chain gang are the introduction to the learning classroom. In the northern states when the winter weather restricts us, the training table above is moved into the barn to allow us to keep our 'hands' on the dogs in any conditions.
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Pictured above are what I consider to be the tools utilizing the use of newer technology. These tools have enabled us to move a dog through the latter stages of the learning progression faster and with less, but more controlled repetitions. But again, these tools must be properly introduced and used only after the pupil fully understands the commands and desired behaviors. Being able to apply the proper correction at the proper time under controlled situations, at the 'right' time in the young dogs development can be invaluable. There are not near enough places left for most all of us that we can rely strictly on wild birds - of any type, so we must make the most of all of the opportunities.
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