Trying a new trainer this weekend!
I've been taking Linus to field work lessons since late in the hopes of getting his WC at some point. Not sure if we'd go any further than that. Time will tell. I've also been taking him because he loves it and while it's still training, it's the fun kind. It has awakened a drive in him that makes it easier to get him excited about obedience work. Win/win!
However, the trainer I've been using is old-school and now that we're getting past some of the really early work, I'm getting pressured to put a forced fetch on him and use an e-collar. Both of which I don't want to do or feel is required. Since we've gone to 100% fun, positive training with my new obedience trainer this summer, I have had more success with him than ever and he is working harder and happier. For example, he now loves his dumbbell and is closer to the hold using fun games than he was with other methods which actually made him dislike the dumbbell. He no longer lags in the heel and is happy, expressive, and exuberant in all exercises.
In field work we've been having issues with the recall. Which is odd because generally his recall is great. He visits the "gunnars", runs around, pees on stuff, then may or may not bring the bumper back. My field trainer said it was lack of confidence so put an e-collar on him. My obedience trainer said it was lack of confidence, and that the field trainer was asking me to do more than he was ready to do, so do shorter retrieves, make it fun, keep him interested in me, and use a long-line. Work up to the distance and the distractions and help him understand exactly what's expected so that he will succeed. It may take longer than an e-collar, but who cares.
My trainer introduced me to this guy and I finally got to talk to him last night. He has trained all dogs without forced anything and without e-collars, including my trainer's dog. He said that he has used an e-collar on the odd dog here and there, but he only uses them if he feels it is absolutely necessary. He does not use bumpers. We will use ducks and pigeons. That in itself is exciting because I know Linus is going to pee himself with excitement! He makes training fun and exciting for the dogs. Our evaluation is on Sunday and I'm pretty excited!
Also, I told him that my dog is not a small or thin field Lab and unless he was seriously concerned about the welfare of my dog, to NOT tell me he is fat! :bigsmile: