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Nope. Honest to Pete. Whenever my dogs are released from the truck, especially if there are other dogs around, mine already have their e-collars on. Even when we pull up to the house (after...

Yeah... I don't know what you're seeing with the other field folk... kicking (never called for... it would get you thrown off most grounds)... slapping (ouch. How stupid. It would hurt my hand more...

No worries! As it turns out, with our terrible drought, I may have to travel a LONG way to get to water. The place nearest that has retriever training is used heavily by people working to get their...

Labradorks... it will be wonderful when we see the positive training methods currently used successfully in obedience/rally and many other venues translate to Master National, and Field Champion...

Alex... fabulous photo!

I had one dog that was line bred on River Oaks Rascal. (FT historians will recognize that Rascal was a very successful son of the legendary River Oaks Corky.) I could NOT...

I read the blog and found it very interesting. The author makes the point that time will tell, and that performance speaks louder than philosophy. I don't want to say it cannot be done. But there...

I had never met the man or his dog before. BUT, the day before, the dog had dropped the bird but when told, did pick it up and delivered to hand. On Sunday, she would not pick it up. I think it...

Just at a HT over the weekend. Previously reliable dog brought in a duck very gingerly, dropped it at the handler's feet and then wouldn't pick it up. Flummoxed the handler. Talked to him...

Well... that is an important issue. We've had two dogs who have suddenly not wanted to pick up a bird when they had heretofore been very, very dependable. In both cases they had abscesses. I can...

I STAND CORRECTED!!! I have stated here that FF'd retrievers are 100% reliable. Today, we were out training and there is a little golden in our group who is going through some issues, and getting a...

On you tube there was a Brit who filled what had to be a 400 yard water mark from start to finish where a goose set her wings and sailed over a big inlet. The hunter sent his Chessie for it. Really...

Oh, my yes. I'm sure if you went to the Field Trial/Hunt Test Training forum you could get a robust discussion going about whether or not FT/HT have the remotest connection with hunting at all. I...

Very interesting observation. You pegged it in your comment about intrinsically rewarding. Especially with dogs very, very, very heavy on FC/AFC some NFC etc. dogs in their pedigree which is the...

Can’t speak to field training, but the way we do it, I wouldn’t consider it nagging. The difference is that we don’t teach the dog to relieve pressure by doing the retrieve (or other exercise). We...

I have a question... I don't train with anyone who does not use a collar, soo I confess that I'm just not up on the methods that non-collar trainers use. But I'm wondering if, in the process of...

Hillmann has my 100% endorsement, but I don't think any less highly of the FF and structured program of retriever basics that I'm familiar with. A few I really like are Total Retriever Training by...

What if I were to respond, that there are dogs w/out the FF, who are superb in the Ob ring and have advanced Ob titles that are absolute pigs (field lingo for a sluggish, sullen dog) at Hunt Tests. ...

Not sure how to delete this post. It was duplicative. Sorry.

But you can understand that this method is of limited value if your dog is blinking a duck 250 yards from you... yes?

Long ago I did a little in the Ob ring... no big deal, just enough to put CD's on 3 of my labs. But it was interesting. I still like to watch Ob practices and competition on line. It would be...

You bring up an excellent point.

I do know about Bill and he has the bona fides to deserve a lot of respect. He is one of the finest trainers of young dogs around and has a superlative derby...

I would love for someone to make strides in this direction, just to see if it could bring more people to our sport. And if they do come up with such a program that produces high-end dogs, she'll...

Apologies for being harsh. I could stand to learn a lot from Obedience trainers. a LOT! Honest. (Just not about FF.)

Let me surprise everyone here. I agree with the article almost 100%. With this caveat: the author is writing from the standpoint of the obedience ring. If you have a willing, well-bred retriever...