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Recently, there has been a great deal of discussion about choosing the
proper handler for your conformation dog. I think it should be mentioned
that many of the same factors are involved in sending off a young Golden
to a field trainer. It is important to do your homework, especially if you have
not been involved with field work in the past.
Anyone can call themselves a “pro”. It simply means that they charge for
what they do. It doesn’t necessarily mean they know anything, or that what
they know is correct. It does not mean that they will take good care of
your dog, that they respect all breeds of retrievers, or that they even have
a “clue”. Some are very good at self-promotion; others let their dogs and
the work done by the dogs they train do the speaking for them.
If you plan to send your dog with a pro, do as much research as you can
to find out which pros are good, which work well with a variety of retriever
breeds and have had experience working with Goldens, which pros do not
try to put a square peg into a round hole, and which pros really like dogs.
You want a pro that is aware of the more current training methods, who has
an open mind, and who can communicate. You want a pro who does not
think that “pushing the button” on an electric collar is the only answer to any
problem that may occur. You want the kennel to be immaculate and the
living conditions for your dog to be excellent.
How do you find a good pro? Check with your local Clubs and see if there
are members that belong who are currently working with field pros---on a
day basis or through sending their young dogs off for basics. Talk to them.
Remember that if you have an obedience question, you would want the
opinion of someone like Connie Cleveland, not someone that has trouble
putting a CD on a dog. It is the same with field work. If you are interested
in hunt tests, attend some. Watch the different pros and how they relate
to their dogs, how their dogs run---do the tails wag, do the dogs cringe, do
they flinch from a hand raised quickly. Do the dogs looked focused, happy,
and eager to work. If you can, watch how the pros interact with their
clients. How do they handle the stress of competition? Even if you are not
interested in competitive field trials, if there is a well known field trial pro in
your area, give him/her a call and ask if they have any suggestions. Many
times they will know of a very good, young, upcoming pro who has worked
as an assistant and who is just going out on his/her own.
Interview various pros. Ask for a list of their previous clients as well as
some of their current clients. Ask where they learned their methods.
Did they do an apprenticeship? What is their philosophy regarding dog
training. Go and spend a few days watching them train. Ask them to
demonstrate their basic program to you. Check into what they have
accomplished with dogs they have trained. Don’t let them patronize you,
nor, should you come on like gangbusters. Be friendly; keep your eyes
open as well as your mind. Remember, you are there to learn about
them, not to tell them what you know. Any good pro should more than
welcome you to check into his/her program and be willing to spend time
with you. The pro should be proud of his program and what he/she has
accomplished. Ask around and check with persons who have had a great
deal of experience in the field as to what their opinion is of this trainer. Go
with your gut. Is this someone you would want to train your dog?
The top pros have a waiting list. Also, previous clients or persons who
have a track record with their dogs will get preference. The sooner you can
get your name on the waiting list the better. Don’t wait until your pup is six
months old to start looking around for a trainer. Tell the pro your goals and
aspirations. Be realistic. My first goal was to attain a WC on my OTCH
bitch.
Once you have decided on a pro, and have sent your dog off, drop by and
check how your dog is doing once the dog has started learning. Often, a
pro wants the dog for a few weeks without you on the scene so the dog
can adapt to the new environment. Ask the pro to keep you informed
with regard as to how the dog is progressing. Remember to use courtesy
and common sense while doing this. Pros have a life, too. You can e-
mail the pro and list some questions you might have, ask when would be
a good time for you to call regarding these questions, or what hours you
are available if they would wish to call you. You should spend training
days there working with your dog and having the trainer work with you. If a
problem arises, ask how the pro hopes to resolve it. This should be done
in a pleasant manner and not in an accusatory fashion. Do some further
homework---read training manuals, research what your dog should be
doing at different stages, etc., so that you can ask intelligent questions. Be
an active member of the team, i.e., your dog, your trainer, and you. Always
keep in mind that while you may have one dog with this trainer, the pro has
quite a few dogs that he/she is training and other clients with whom you
need to share time and attention.
It is extremely important that you pick a trainer who is the right one for your
dog, not for someone else’s dog, but for yours. It is very easy to ruin a
potentially good dog through improper training.
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