lesson that day, just because they were in the presents of a pro.
Bethann Roettgers said while the situation was going on, it's part of water training. "I expect to go into the water when I'm working water."
Some people tried to train away from the decoys. That was foolish, and I told them that. With all the pros on site, train for the worse case scenario. Some day your dog is going to get tangled in a decoy, do it today! When the water is warm, boats are available and there are 20 people to help and rescue you, not when your hunting alone.
A few years ago I was watching Vizslas run around the ring with Jim Busch, the Vizsla guru. We were arguing which dog was going to get blue. Jim said the owner of the dog I called wore the wrong color clothes. I said: "say what?"
Jim said: "Sure if your gonna show a Vizsla you use a color that they stand out best on, that would be purple." And you know the purple handler won. As with anything in life it's the subtleties that separates the winners and the also-run.
Earlier this year I advanced out of Junior Hunter to Senior and had problems with Jenny retrieving. So I took her on her annual trip to Jerry Jordan of Kojac Kennels. Six weeks later, she was not only retrieving, she was steady to wing and shot and get this HONORING! That never would have happened had she stayed here. But again, put a good dog in the hands of a pro and you will be surprised about the outcome.
So next time you're debating about buying a dog, training yourself or sending your dog away, in the back of your mind remember, why you always buy from a pro.

Dennis Guldan hails from New Brighton, MN by way of Marshfield, WI.