Training the Pointing Labrador

#382 Conclusion of Puppy Series - Keeping the Right Balance

In this final series about raising puppies, we discuss the importance of maintaining the right balance between control and focus, retrieving and upland work.  Upland dogs can run blinds without hunting, do hard marks, and still be confident and accomplished in the upland field.  It takes time and experience to learn the nuances of bird hunting, scent, feel, etc.  Allowed the opportunity to acquire the skill of bird location, the well-balanced dog can run the Triple Crown and Master National in the same time period - with complete success. But it's all about the balance....

#381 Part 4 Puppy Raising - The Upland Introduction

4th in the puppy series, the upland part.  This is often an unpredictable phase, where dogs do what they do, and not always what we expect or want.  With a good balance between the control of retriever work and the independence of the upland hunt, a youngster can learn to be an adept and confident partner in both.  It is a process, and it takes time; entirely defined by the way your pup's little head works.  It is one of the most fun aspects of dog training I have ever experienced.

#380 #4 Puppy Raising the Importance of Retrieving

In today's episode on developing the retrieving skills of a puppy, we break down the small but very important details to create a confident, accomplished partner in the games you and your dog will play together.

#389 Puppy Raising Part 3 Physical Respect

In this 3rd podcast in the series, we break down the importance of the simple but powerful requirements of respecting your personal boundaries, not using noise to express their emotions and how not to become an Iditarod champion.

#378 Raising a Dog Part 2

In Part 2 of Puppy Raising, we talk about the importance of seeing the traits of your pup honestly and using those to design your approach to teaching your pup.  Letting them just "be a puppy" is avoiding the responsibility of bringing your pup up in a manner that is in the long-term interests of you both.  There are a few simple things, which when undertaken thoughtfully, make the rest of your lives together much better.  Promise.