Working_Setters

LL - Sorry to hear this. Get well soon. Best, Rob

They still are at my place. IMO to do otherwise is asking for trouble, else accepting that it's the dog running the show and not you. I always mean it, else it's a waste of breath and worse, teaches bad habits. Tony, I think many people of today have lost their "animal" sense. The vast majority don't work with animals on a daily basis as they did in the past. Today I think there is an explosion of theoretical knowledge, got a problem training a dog, then buy a book, surf the net. In the past people were more isolated, they had to solve problems more independently. The DID it, were as today we READ about it. The difference b/t theory and practice. This I feel is a problem when it comes to dog training, as IMO the theory of dog training is quite simple, it’s the practice that’s the tricky bit. Which is why many in today’s society, big on theory but small on practice, struggle.

it depends how you define "training". I use a lot of conditioning and positive training to shape the pups behaviour. The day will come that the dog will know what you want, but will decide not to obey and I will use a negative to convince the dog that obeying is the path to follow. But that's far down the track with mature dogs. Pups, keep it fun and take advantage of early conditioning opportunities. When you say " I made her stop and sit", if you are making/forcing a pup to sit/stay, then perhaps you are using too much force too early??

Nice post Tony Being willing and able to use best approach to training the particular dog in question. Not restricted to using (or attempting to use) solely (or mainly) a particular ideology. Frankly - the way people like Moxon were training dogs decades ago, before the field got hijacked by the current bunch of trendy new age #$*%)!@#, sprouting their version of pseudo-scientific bull.

I also use metal crates (I’m up to 5). I prefer the metal over the plastic for increased ventilation. I prefer the metal over the soft b/c of the strength, when I put a dog in a crate I want to KNOW it will stay there, and be safe from any outside dogs.

WMR - Thanks for the informative review, guess I'll save my $$. Seems to me there is very little that's truly new or revolutionary dog training and those books promising otherwise tend to disappoint.

Tracking - Dogs often track people as well as articles. Retrieving - Dog goes away from handler and finds something (dead game, tennis ball) and brings it back to the handler. Retrieving training is done with training dummies (bumpers) or tennis balls etc. Hunters use this training in the field to recover game (ducks, quail, rabbits) that they have shot. Retrieving does NOT involve anything still alive. If you intend to shoot anything, then you will need a gun licence etc, but might I suggest this sounds like it could be someway off. For now I'd focus learning a bit more about each of these activities and deciding which of them really interest you. Getting a firearm and a firearm licence (and the required safe etc) requires quite a bit of time and money and isn't something to rush into. Don't worry, there's plenty of training you can do with your Wei without needing a gun. As for clubs in the Brisbane area, go to the CCCQ website, download the pdf list of "Affiliated Kennel Clubs", this contains a number of retrieving clubs (under the heading Field Trial) and also Tracking Clubs. Best of luck with the new pup. If you need any further help getting started in field work with your Wei post again, if I don't reply PM me as I don't always find time to check DOL

Not much. There's a water retrieve in utility FTs that not done in P/S FTs. The different breeds work birds in different ways, and of course there's not many GSPs that can perform to the same standard as a P/S in a quail paddock

Welcome anytime. I'll be training pretty much every weekend b/t now and when the snakes come out.

There were a couple of people there with cameras, so I'm sure some pics will find there way onto the net in due course, however I'm unaware of any being available to the general public just yet. However there are some excellent pics and well written articles of very similar trials, with many of the same competitors, available HERE and another HERE

There are several that regularly hold RTs and occassionally FTs. PM me if you'd like their details. Using much the same principles as you use to train a dog to do anything else. Gundogs - Training and Field Trials by P.R.A. Moxon would be an excellent place to start IMO for any of the British breeds (Pointers/Setters/most Retrievers/Spaniels). There are better books for the Utility breeds.

Hi Julie, There's nothing boring about you or your labs!! You're an innovative thinker, responsible for the introduction of a number of training techniques and training aids to this country. Yank maybe many things, but for certain one of them isn't boring!! He's definitely an "edge of the seat" type of dog.

The trials I attend with my dogs are only open to Pointers/Setters (or sometimes they are open to all pointing breeds). Are you wanting info on these types of trials, or field trials open to flushing breeds (eg retrievers and spaniels)? There are some FTs for flushing breeds, but retrieving trials are far more common.

No. It was an Open Trial, which we did not win, but rather were awarded best novice dog. As 3/4 of the field were novice dogs it was pleasing win. I'm not certain, but I don't think winning a novice trial gives points toward the title either. I'm pretty sure you have to win open trials against the big boys to get the points. Unlike RTs there aren't even "stepping stone" titles such as NRD, or RRD along the way in FTs. There is a QC (Qualifying Certificate) title, but that is gained by meeting the criteria of a written standard, rather than beating other dogs in competition. FTs are a tough way to gain titles, and understandably daunting for new comers, it can be many years before you get the dog and the knowledge to beat the guys that have been competing for decades!!

My bitch won best novice in a Field Trial on the weekend. We were fortunate b/c the warm dry conditions in WA effected her stamina, but the first part of her run was stunning, everything a top class setter should be. Have to work on improving her warm weather endurance. It was only her second trial, so very pleased her performance.

What type of field dog, retriever, spaniel, utility, or pointer/setter? The terminology and what's required varies depending on the breed of dog, and what you want to do with it (retrieving trials, field trials, a bit of both, or hunting).

Had a great day with the dogs yesterday. Found some excellent cover and put up about 80 birds (wild quail) in 4 hours. The wind was gusty and the birds were running hard, so it was a tough day, but the dogs worked beautifully, we were treated to some truly outstanding dog work (and there were times when the birds won and made the dogs look rather foolish). Like I say a tough day, but these are the days that the dogs, the good ones at least, learn a thing or two, and adapt. Were treated to the majestic sight of a huge wedge-tailed eagle soaring low overhead, checking out the possibility of an easy quail dinner no doubt. Although these birds generally pursue ground game, rabbits, lizards and small wallabies. I find that various raptors are a common sight when working the dogs, attracted I’m sure to the flushing quail. Peregrine falcons with frequently swoop down and attempt to take a flushed quail. One memorable moment occurred when one of my dogs was drawing in on scent, I was expecting more quail work, when suddenly up jumped a bloody EMU!! Luckily the emu was not aggressive, but simply ran off and my dog recalled promptly. The emu had been sitting on a clutch of 6 huge, dark green coloured eggs. Not wishing to disturb the big bird any further, we moved off promptly, in search of somewhat smaller birds.

Sounds like an interesting book!! Let us know what you think when you've read it. Note to FHR – Apologies to WMR for OT Had a GREAT session today, 80 quail and ONE EMU!! Saw some OUTSTANDING dog work and there were quite few times the birds won, it was tough day, but those are the days the good dogs learn the most. Awesome paddock, in this drought I doubted I'd ever find anything so good. Sorry lips are sealed as to location!!

Hi LL, Great to see you again also. Hope you had an enjoyable and productive stay. Best of luck in Ballarat!!

I've posted some "Pointin' Pics" of my Setters doing their thing as we train in the paddocks on wild quail, for those that are interested, SEE HERE

As a general rule I don't favour increased regulation/legislation or employing the addition bureaucrats such an increase entails. Drafting good legislation is very difficult and frequently the legislation we get unduly impacts on the law abiding while doing little to solve the original problem. My thoughts on E-collars are that there are numerous ways to abuse your dog, very few of them cost $500-$1500, which is what a decent E-collar will set you back in Oz. I think this price already limits E-collars to those that are serious about training their dogs (rather than abusing them).

Anybody wanting a copy of this article, PM me your email address and I'll send it to you. I don't think this would breech copyright, since anybody could go to a Uni library and photocopy the article for themselves. In any case, I'll trust you not to tell

Thanks Cosmolo - I'll keep an eye out for those return seminars

;) TMBABCAT Too Many Bloody Acronyms, Becomes Confusing At Times

It's in a published journal, so yes it is peer reviewed. Just to clarify for those not in the research game, not everything you read in a published journal is peer reviewed. Many of the popular science type mags aren't. While most "official" type publications are peer reviewed, there are a few that aren't, PNAS for eg, also the quality of the peer review varies. That said, I agree with TSD, this is a reputable peer reviewed journal.