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Ryman's Allegheny Snow at Six-Months of AgeBy John Fetters
© 2009-2010 Fetters Setters, all rights reserved
The average amateur dog trainer ~ or owner training his own dog ~ should have a great deal of training himself before he attempts to field finish his dog.
The chief fault with the beginner is that he expects too much of his young dog, too soon. He is certain the dog is simply willful, and he is sure that the shortest route to a cure for this evil is through the liberal use of the shock collar or other harsh methods.
Dogs are miles away from mankind in the matter of intelligence and in a knowledge of right and wrong, yet there are dog trainers who ask and demand more of a young dog than is expected of a two-year old child.
When the young dog bolts into a covey of birds he has pointed, the question of "right and wrong" never enters his head.
He simply likes the fun of locating and routing out the birds. Of course, he must be trained away from such a fault, but it is not a good idea to be in a hurry to "shock" a knowledge of his error into his head.
It hurts the dog to begin with, as he knows he has been shocked for doing something that pleases him and for doing something which is natural behavior to him. In the course of time, the dog will learn to associate the birds with the shock of the collar.
And the recollection of the shock will frighten him and he may even begin sneaking away, perhaps becoming a confirmed blinker.
Catching the dog in the very act and punishing him for his fault, then and there, by using forceful and/or harsh methods is the kind of punishment that puts the "wrong" wisdom into the dog's head.
I have found that the most desirable age to put the finishing touches on a young dog is about one year of age, but even a dog of this age should and must be handled carefully, and allowed to have occasional fun romping in the field.
The more serious side of training and finishing a dog should be postponed until he has added at least six months to his age.
A number of beginners feel they should wait to train a dog in the field. However, the first real lesson of importance the young dog should be taught is to stop to the order of "Hold! Hold!"
The best plan is to begin this lesson at feeding time when the dog is very young. When the food is set down, the dog should be held gently a few feet from it, the trainer saying gently to "Hold! Hold!" and at the same time stroking the dogs head and checking him lightly to restrain him.
After the dog has been held as well as may be to the command "Hold!" for about a minute, the order "Go on" should be given, and at the instant this order is given, the dog should be permitted to rush to his food.
This simple "lesson" will transmit to the field and make field training much more pleasurable for the trainer and the dog as well ~ as the dog will then associate the "Hold!" command with priase and reward.
© 2009-2010 Fetters Setters, all rights reserved
The average amateur dog trainer ~ or owner training his own dog ~ should have a great deal of training himself before he attempts to field finish his dog.
The chief fault with the beginner is that he expects too much of his young dog, too soon. He is certain the dog is simply willful, and he is sure that the shortest route to a cure for this evil is through the liberal use of the shock collar or other harsh methods.
Dogs are miles away from mankind in the matter of intelligence and in a knowledge of right and wrong, yet there are dog trainers who ask and demand more of a young dog than is expected of a two-year old child.
When the young dog bolts into a covey of birds he has pointed, the question of "right and wrong" never enters his head.
He simply likes the fun of locating and routing out the birds. Of course, he must be trained away from such a fault, but it is not a good idea to be in a hurry to "shock" a knowledge of his error into his head.
It hurts the dog to begin with, as he knows he has been shocked for doing something that pleases him and for doing something which is natural behavior to him. In the course of time, the dog will learn to associate the birds with the shock of the collar.
And the recollection of the shock will frighten him and he may even begin sneaking away, perhaps becoming a confirmed blinker.
Catching the dog in the very act and punishing him for his fault, then and there, by using forceful and/or harsh methods is the kind of punishment that puts the "wrong" wisdom into the dog's head.
I have found that the most desirable age to put the finishing touches on a young dog is about one year of age, but even a dog of this age should and must be handled carefully, and allowed to have occasional fun romping in the field.
The more serious side of training and finishing a dog should be postponed until he has added at least six months to his age.
A number of beginners feel they should wait to train a dog in the field. However, the first real lesson of importance the young dog should be taught is to stop to the order of "Hold! Hold!"
The best plan is to begin this lesson at feeding time when the dog is very young. When the food is set down, the dog should be held gently a few feet from it, the trainer saying gently to "Hold! Hold!" and at the same time stroking the dogs head and checking him lightly to restrain him.
After the dog has been held as well as may be to the command "Hold!" for about a minute, the order "Go on" should be given, and at the instant this order is given, the dog should be permitted to rush to his food.
This simple "lesson" will transmit to the field and make field training much more pleasurable for the trainer and the dog as well ~ as the dog will then associate the "Hold!" command with priase and reward.
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