workinghprs.myfastforum.org

windem bang · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 7:55 pm Post subject:

Hi Annie, the H.G.S.P. group would want to see that your dog was easily controllable in most circumstances and in most places before letting him loose on game. Not an unreasonable requirement, but I dont know if they have any game available even if your dog behaved well in its presence.

There must be few clubs that can supply live game for its members. I think you'll be out of luck if that's what your hoping for Annie.

Bill T.

BritAnnie · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject:

No, Bill, you've nisread that - or I haven't explained it properly. What I meant was that I wouldn't yet be able to control him where there was game (for example in a FT) and would the Group help teach me to get him under control in advance of situations like that arising.
Annie
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windem bang · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:00 pm Post subject:

Sorry Annie, my fault, Belle the Brittany chewed my specs and Buck the b^*^**d ate my chompers ! I'm in a hell of a state Exclamation

Bill T.

guy · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 11:25 pm Post subject:

WB watch out -- if Dale takes your hearing aid it will be a case of
'hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil'

Laughing

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windem bang · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 1:20 am Post subject:

"Eh, what did you say ?" Embarassed

Bill T. --- One toot and I cannae hear it !!!

sako75 · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject:

Hi Annie ,

PLEASE do not let this post put you off attending the training days !!!!

The points raised in this post are about the changes to the training structure. At the moment your dog has to complete all the obedience before being allowed to progress to the next group. This is not a bad thing. I have simply been surprised at the difficulty (for me) in completing these exercises. Your dog may do the 100 metre stay perfectly at home but try doing it with 10 other dogs who are "breaking" the stay and for 3 whole minutes !! - believe me it is not easy. Also the heelwork off the lead - same applies - you may do this at home but with other dogs running around , the temptation for your own dog to leave your side is incredible. I was simply questioning the importance of all this with regards to HPR field training. I can see why they do this - the idea is that you have a logbook and say for example your dog failed the 25 metre stay for 2 minutes - the idea is that YOU go home and practice , practice , practice until you get it consistently right. Hopefully the next time you attend the training day your dog will pass this little exercise and move on to the 100 metre stay for 3 minutes and so on. The logbook is intended as a personal record for each individual dog - the idea is that you can see the improvements that you have made over the last few months.

Annie , regarding the club helping steadying your dog to game - the answer is YES but they do not use live game for this. They are inclined to use dummy launchers , bolting rabbit (skin covered dummy on elastic) and general obedience. It is up to YOU the handler to get your dog steady at home with lots of practice and repetition. Each training day is designed to test your dog in certain situations , if your dog fails any of these tests , it is up to you to go home and get it right for the next time. There are many experienced handlers and trainers there to help give advice and answer any queries and it has to be said, that they are all very friendly and helpfull. It is a really friendly club.

I will be there in August , so I will meet up with you there. I think it is the A.G.M around this time , so I will pluck up the courage to raise the points that I have talked about on this thread.

Smile

josie · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject:

sako75 · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 5:00 pm Post subject:

I could not agree more Josie !!

There is not much in the way of actual training , it is more or less left to the individual to train in between training days. I feel the training days would be more helpfull if you could go to a trainer and ask for some practical advice on a specific problem area. I appreciate that this would not be easy because EVERY dog has it's own problem areas and there would simply not be enough time to devote to individual dogs.

I think weima hit the nail on the head , stating that the handler had to take as much out of the day as possible. The socialisation aspect and the fact that it gets your dog used to working with LOTS of distractions.

I feel that for actual training , you would be far better going to a proffessional trainer maybe once a week. That way you could deal with problem areas in the correct way. I am considering having 1-2-1 training with Tom Brecheney , I feel this would help me greatly.

What does the typical training day provide for you Josie ?? Are they similar to the days that I attend ??

Barry. Wink

josie · Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject:

I don't go to any HPR classes any more. I only went to any regularly when Slate was young, maybe up to 8/9 months. I do go to retriever training classes in the summer when they are held, and do a retriever walk up and all - v good for marking and steadiness. For hunting I try to do as many shotover days as possible in the season, which are absolutely excellent - I wish there were more of them, I couldn't do enough of them - if you don't shoot (which I don't!) then they are v valuable.
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