Hi Peter,
Under the Thread entitled “Foundations for Handling for Novice and Restricted” and in a Post dated 1 March 2004 you wrote:
“I sense that much of the modern training techniques are a bit daunting to new triallers and I was wondering if you would share with us the process with which you trained Homah and Chasa. I understand that you have progressed as a trainer since those days but they were both successful dogs in their time.”
You also wrote:
“What are the biggest differences between the way you trained in 1990 and the way you train today?”
Peter let me take this opportunity to thank you for your kind works, they are appreciated. As I wrestled with the manner in which I was going to respond to your question, I was reminded by something Mike Lardy once said and as you know, Mike Lardy is without question, the most successful US Professional Retriever Trainer of all time. In essence, he said that there is nothing he does that is original; it has all been copied or adapted from work undertaken by such people as Rex Carr, D.L. Walters et al. A dichotomy exists in the education of a successful retriever; on one hand you need to foster independent thinking and a free spirit necessary for excellent marking and on the other the complete control necessary for complex and challenging blinds. The key to success therefore lies in achieving this balance.
Homah and Chasa’s training was underpinned by information contained in the following books:
The Water Dog by Richard A Walters, published circa 1964
Training Retrievers to Handle by D.L. Walters, published circa 1979
Training the Retriever by J.A. Kersley, published circa 1970, and
Retriever Training Tests by James B. Spencer, published circa 1983
Collectively these books provide a map detailing how a handler may take a puppy at 49 days of age all the way to being a competitive dog in State and/or National Championships. From the first reading of “Water Dog” I became wedded to the concept of commencing the training process on the 49th day and as I have gained further experience, this conviction has become even more firmly entrenched.
The internet and the wealth of information that is readily available may lead people into thinking that all the various Drills are new and the greatest thing since sliced bread! This is simply not the case!
For example, D.L. Walters has chapters entitled:
Training Yourself as a Handler;
The 3 Leg Lining Pattern;
Introduction to the Whistle;
Simple Baseball;
Walking Baseball;
The 3 Leg Pattern with Casts;
Water Patterns;
The 5 Leg Pattern and Introduction to Diversions.
Under General Training Guidelines there are sub-headings entitled;
Make your training just that;
Plan your training ahead;
Be prepared to change your plan;
Be sure your dog will get the bird;
Decide what is right for your dog;
Picking up the blind first;
Don’t nag and don’t forget praise.
Does this not all sound very familiar and it was written in 1979!!!
In summary and in an overall sense, there is very little difference between how I went about training Homah and Chasa and what I do today. Mainly the differences are; I train more frequently; I try to train smarter rather than harder and by that I mean there is considerably more thought put into the teaching of concepts and towards maintaining the appropriate balance between land and water work, marks and blinds.
I now have a better appreciation of the need to maintain standards at all times and in all aspects. If a difficulty is encountered, it is better to simplify the task than to lower the standard expected from the dog. At all times I am increasingly mindful of the need to maintain momentum and advancement in the dog. The sequence of teaching various concepts and the testing of the dog’s understanding is a major factor in both areas. I have always considered that I was fairly analytical in my approach to teaching dogs, but for me, Bill Eckett (a US Pro) certainly put new dimensions into the words “being thorough”. Thank you Julie for organising his last trip and I can hardly wait until his second visit, scheduled for July next!
As I write I do recall two differences between the past and the present and they relate to the Trained Retrieve (also known as Force Fetch) and Swim-by. Homah, Chasa, Mac and King were all amusement trained as I did not fully grasp the underlying principles behind Force Fetch and this was despite what I had read on the subject and the comprehensive demonstration put on by Jim Swan (a US Pro) who visited in 1992. I believe I now understand and it is unlikely that I will ever own another dog that has not been through the FF program. Jim Swan also demonstrated Swim-by and again the wider ramifications were not fully understood. Mac and King have been educated in this area, but in hindsight, not to the degree that I now know is required.
Peter you also wrote:
“My experience is that soft dogs with only moderate drive get burned out in the yard, and it takes a very skilful trainer to get them through.”
My experience and observations are quite the opposite, soft dogs with moderate drive can become quite comfortable with and even enjoy pattern work. Their difficulty is more likely to surface during the transition phase when they have to think for themselves and apply previously taught concepts to real life situations.
If you have any further queries I am more than happy to field questions.
Kindest regards, RWT