For enjoyable hunting
with a retriever, spaniel
or pointing dog, control is sine qua non (which, as every street
urchin in ancient Rome knew, means "without which there
is nothing"). Happily, control training (aka obedience or
yard breaking) should confound no one. Gaining initial control
over an eager-to-please puppy is easy. Maintaining it through
the dog's active life is easy, too-for anyone willing to work
at it.
Ab, there's the rub. You see, this training lacks the excitement
of fieldwork-for both dog and owner. No birds. No shooting. just
rote drilling. Worse still, the trainer has to supply all of
his dog's motivation as well as his own. No |
wonder so many otherwise
dedicated dog-owning, hunters skip control training.
Even the guy who works at it regularly might let control slide
(luring hunting season. And it's amazing how quickly old mallard-muncher
"forgets" in the permissive environment of fall.
Thus, January is an ideal time for planning how to establish
or reestablish-the proper human/canine hierarchical relationship.
For the conscientious few who will persevere, this should require
no more than daily short sessions in the backyard, plus a few
trips to shopping centers or other centers of population, for
"proofing" with distractions. Unfortunately, for most
of us, that approach lacks the built-in dis |
cipline we need.
For us, a better plan could center around formal classes offered
by obedience clubs in many communities. Formed to promote obedience-trial
competition, these clubs typically offer "training you to
train your dog" classes to the public for modest fees (about
$50). They do this as a public service, to gain new members,
and to maintain club solvency.
Most conduct these classes year-round but limit each one to 15
to 25 dogs. Under the direction of a chief instructor, aided
by a few assistants, the class meets for an hour or so a week
for 10 to 15 weeks in a building owned or leased by the club.
During that time the students learn how to train their dogs with
the following commands:
BASIC COMMANDS Heel: Walk beside the owner and sit when he stops.
Most clubs will accommodate those bird-dog owners who prefer
that their dogs stand. Some, but not all, will accommodate those
whose dogs heel on the right side (which can create problems
in group-heeling exercises).
Come: Come to and sit facing the owner. Most clubs will accommodate
both bird-dog owners who prefer that their dogs stand and retriever
owners who prefer that their dogs come directly to heel before
sitting.
Sit-stay: Remain in a sitting position while the owner goes some
distance away. Eventually all the dogs sit together in a line
with the owners across the room.
Down-stay: Similar to the sit-stay, except that the dogs stay
while lying down.
Stand-stay: Stand in place while the owner walks a short distance
away. This, of course, supports the bird-dog trainer's "Whoa"
command.
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