Search found 1084 matches

by crackerd
Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:49 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Need some new puppy advice from 8 weeks-4months
Replies: 11
Views: 7686

Re: Need some new puppy advice from 8 weeks-4months

Really appreciate the feedback. I'd like him to be trained this season but I care way more about the dogs happiness so I'd be perfectly fine with waiting another year to take him hunting. I want his training to be fun like ABSINTHE said. I want the pup always wanting more. RANDOMNUT, thanks I agree...
by crackerd
Wed Mar 23, 2016 8:10 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Is there little or no variation in the cover types encountered during most trials in America ? You also have woods, root fields etc. so you must encounter things like brambles and gorse and fallen trees too ? Or are woodlands never used in spaniel trials in America ? Bill, pretty sure gundogguy wil...
by crackerd
Wed Mar 23, 2016 6:30 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

The " THE OVER Command " In trial here in the states usually suggests, over and back to the truck and car park!!.. Now, having a cocker there are times when he will try to take a couple extra steps towards me if I stop him on his way back in to me. In that case I will raise my hand to enforce my ne...
by crackerd
Tue Mar 22, 2016 10:32 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Many actually ..inadvertently as by natural behaviour of human (if they are right handed) raise the right hand when they 'stop' the dog !? when the dog actually is not looking at them ?...what's that all about ?....In that cover :wink: . It's a sign the handler's training is going well. At this poi...
by crackerd
Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:53 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Now, on the topic of handling on blind retrieves, I've developed a vexatious problem which has me somewhat stymied. The dog has decided that a left or right over indicates she should run back towards me and aim for a spot to my left or right someplace. She is fine on a memory but on a blind she dec...
by crackerd
Mon Mar 21, 2016 6:46 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Cover that high is a bit of a nightmare for everyone. The handlers cannot see the dogs and neither can the judges. A very experienced field trialing lady was competing in the first spaniel trial I ever saw. Her bitch was given a hunt through waist high, very densely growing kale. Her dog found noth...
by crackerd
Sun Mar 13, 2016 4:31 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Spaniel Trainers in Charkeston?
Replies: 6
Views: 2814

Re: Spaniel Trainers in Charkeston?

Are there any spaniel trainers in the Charleston, SC area? Everyone I know has retrievers or an occasional pointer, but I can't find anyone with a spaniel to train with. Justin, if your spaniel were a Boykin, you'd have a retriever too - a retrieving spaniel for which there are numerous trainers in...
by crackerd
Fri Mar 04, 2016 9:52 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Oh, yeah. ... Much [/i] deeper. Supply and demands (plural) on the pro, potential conflict of interest (judging your clients and your clients' dogs and judging your adversary's client and your adversary's client dogs, etc.) and paycheck of course (for training [or not training or running client dogs...
by crackerd
Thu Mar 03, 2016 1:28 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

gundogguy, does the mandatory attendance at a seminar also apply for spaniel field trial judging? I know I've taken the judging seminar for retriever HTs, but my snide remark about "anybody can" judge at retriever FTs was prompted by the credentialing of FT judges being so "loosey-goosey." In other...
by crackerd
Wed Mar 02, 2016 11:07 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

gundogguy, does the mandatory attendance at a seminar also apply for spaniel field trial judging? I know I've taken the judging seminar for retriever HTs, but my snide remark about "anybody can" judge at retriever FTs was prompted by the credentialing of FT judges being so "loosey-goosey." In other ...
by crackerd
Tue Mar 01, 2016 7:26 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Yes 'Trials' are scored by the letter system. Robt., my other devious plan during your visit was to get you an apprentice judging assignment for a US retriever trial. Anybody can do it, I think they've been thinking about digging up Jimmy Savile until the latest disclosures on his "professionalism"...
by crackerd
Mon Feb 29, 2016 3:31 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Would y'all believe that a great many of them who buy "English Labs" over here are of the misbegotten notion that Labs in the UK, to become a "show champion," must also hold some kind of field trial certification? When in fact it is as Bill noted "some kind.....any kind....of work qualification to ...
by crackerd
Mon Feb 29, 2016 2:36 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Which is probably why the split between our 'test' competitors and 'Field Trial competitors' (over here) remains ever dividing....? I think it is mainly the show folk trying to have some kind .....any kind.....of work qualification to swank about with that take part in those events. Would y'all bel...
by crackerd
Mon Feb 29, 2016 11:43 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

For further clarification our 'tests' are all simulated set ups using bumpers and bangers. Our 'Trials' are all using live ammunition and Live Game. The Majority of Spaniel Trial' ers do not enter 'tests' .It would also be fair to say that especially with retrievers the majority of the competitors ...
by crackerd
Thu Feb 25, 2016 10:04 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

...If the AKC Flushing dog test mirrored the CKC spaniel hunt test, participation would go way down. .. as an aside, There is no Master Hunter Advance test or title here either! Ah, but remember when there was [/i], gundogguy? - "was" being the operative word that lasted about what, 15 minutes of f...
by crackerd
Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:55 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Welsh, long time, no hear - but all the negatives and pejoratives you've outlined below that apply in N. America are slowly but surely giving way in the UK to the original Clumber, the working [/i] Clumber - which essentially has been "rebuilt" into a true field-bred spaniel. Surely the Clumber is t...
by crackerd
Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:04 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Are there no "Any Variety" spaniel trials in America? Move to Canada - doesn't matter if you have a cocker or springer, Sussex or Boykin, Clumber or Tweed - all the same to us. I've tried to help you out via Cass' er, emended comment, Bill. Otherwise, pay right close attention to what gundogguy's g...
by crackerd
Tue Feb 23, 2016 11:06 am
Forum: Training
Topic: using the "nick" on retrive? ?? fair ??
Replies: 22
Views: 9607

Re: using the "nick" on retrive? ?? fair ??

A retrieve is a recall with something in the dogs mouth. It can be trained separately to the actual retrieve with no danger of "poisoning" the retrieve. Just the opinion of a non- e collar person. :D Bill T. Non collar person or not, that's an excellent observation. The squirrel are what we'd refer...
by crackerd
Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:18 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Labrador training
Replies: 20
Views: 7864

Re: Labrador training

And trains (and occasionally sells) retrievers for what kind of work and competition? Know your resume, GH, and Polmaise has similar credentials on his side of the pond for taking on all gundogs. But if you're training retrievers as [/i] retrievers here - as waterdogs, nonslip, and for handling on b...
by crackerd
Thu Dec 17, 2015 4:09 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Labrador training
Replies: 20
Views: 7864

Re: Labrador training

Appreciate the pointing dog perspective and insights on situational awareness, but almost none of it applies for training a retriever as a retriever. The good news for the OP is that a note just now from Polmaise on another matter triggered a recommendation for what GH advises - a formal program to ...
by crackerd
Tue Dec 15, 2015 12:17 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Labrador training
Replies: 20
Views: 7864

Re: Labrador training

Regardless whether the e-collar's "functioning properly," the OP obviously is working with it im properly on a retriever. To wit, GH's post. Any retriever or retrieving gundog that "gets distracted" on a simple retrieve has gotten misguided training delivered via the e-collar. Latch onto a retriever...
by crackerd
Sun Dec 13, 2015 5:16 am
Forum: Training
Topic: E-collar, yes or no?
Replies: 39
Views: 16460

Re: E-collar, yes or no?

...Anyway, my advice to the O.P. is to find a good instructor and have face to face lessons. I've got a question about e-collars......... would it be obvious to an experienced observer that a dog had been trained using an e-collar ? Bill T. Bill, with retrievers, it would be more obvious to the exp...
by crackerd
Mon Dec 07, 2015 11:48 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Well, was a dismal afternoon so I got out with forum member krakadawn and his young dog for some big water action. We were expecting mainly divers but actually had to stop shooting buffleheads because we had so many greenheads coming in! Great day, great company, great dogs! You know, with kraka's ...
by crackerd
Mon Dec 07, 2015 11:44 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Retriever trial in Britain
Replies: 12
Views: 3970

Re: Retriever trial in Britain

slistoe wrote:Would all of the dogs had to make the same retrieve?
Scott, prepare to be eyewiped over that question :wink:

And whatever you do, do not ask if any dogs came close to drowning - or swimming - during the making of this trial...

MG
by crackerd
Tue Dec 01, 2015 3:12 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: ACS as best of Sporting Group
Replies: 47
Views: 25263

Re: ACS as best of Sporting Group

Why is it we cannot have an exchange of information? It almost always becomes an argument void of fact. "He who is without sin among you...." No question I have often contributed, but on this thread I don't think I did. Pretty sure you'll "atone" :wink: by commenting how happy you are that Boykins ...
by crackerd
Mon Nov 30, 2015 12:41 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: ACS as best of Sporting Group
Replies: 47
Views: 25263

Re: ACS as best of Sporting Group

Also, mnaj, just for Ezzy's edification - and gundogguy, please correct me if I'm wrong - the only trial St. Keith Erlandson ever judged in the US, he put up an American cocker (Trish Jackson's Madison) over a field full of fbcockers for the blue ribbon. mnaj - had the call name wrong for the FC - ...
by crackerd
Mon Nov 30, 2015 9:16 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: ACS as best of Sporting Group
Replies: 47
Views: 25263

Re: ACS as best of Sporting Group

I'm a bit lost. I thought there was only one type of American cocker spaniel.... there is only one type but somehow they got the classes split into three different colored groups. I too would like to see them moved out of the sporting dog group as they have bred them eith so much coat they couldn't...
by crackerd
Tue Nov 10, 2015 10:09 am
Forum: Training
Topic: tug o war
Replies: 176
Views: 116633

Re: tug o war

A puppy that will "give," is set up to be a great dog. Not training a puppy the basics just leads to a lot of needless ear-pinching later on. Not the smart play. Bill There's no such thing as "needless ear pinching" , you're pressure conditioning the dog whether it knows how to "give" or has "the b...
by crackerd
Mon Nov 09, 2015 2:35 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Breaking in Dog Blind
Replies: 13
Views: 6480

Re: Breaking in Dog Blind

All my blinds have a loop to tether the dog, and a carry a stake out when in the field. I am not a fan of nagging a young dog with the e-collar. Or of frying a young dog with the e-collar, either. Work the dog on obedience with formal retriever training (as in a group setting) and expose it to wate...
by crackerd
Tue Nov 03, 2015 1:29 pm
Forum: General Chat
Topic: AKC Limited Registration
Replies: 123
Views: 72100

Re: AKC Limited Registration

We, clueless? Haha, sounds like some lab folks could use a clue :wink: Very few well bred labs are sold on limited, it is far seen in the puppy mills that sell Gentlem*n's G*ndogs and Silver breeders as a tool to limit competition. Bingo! - albeit with nike's assertion emended as above. Speaking of...
by crackerd
Sun Nov 01, 2015 11:55 am
Forum: Training
Topic: tug o war
Replies: 176
Views: 116633

Re: tug o war

I think that my sister or I or our kids played tug-o-war and rough housed with literally every one of my dad's fc labs. Dogs are smart enough to differentiate between play and work and, if you're going to do force fetch, this entire discussion is a moot. I think that a lot of people, including many...
by crackerd
Sun Nov 01, 2015 11:16 am
Forum: Training
Topic: tug o war
Replies: 176
Views: 116633

Re: tug o war

Again, "highest levels" of what kind of training, 'cause it ain't done or encouraged in retriever training - unless, as gonehuntin' noted you're wanting to instill a problem in a dog so you can deal with it retroactively. Like teaching a dog to vocalize so you can later teach it the "Quiet!" command...
by crackerd
Sun Nov 01, 2015 10:47 am
Forum: Training
Topic: tug o war
Replies: 176
Views: 116633

Re: tug o war

Spy Car wrote:[... all my dogs are trained to very advanced levels.

Having a dog train to yield a tug is a good thing. It complements other training.
Advanced levels of bite training? - otherwise please tell how "complementary" tuggy is to any kind of training that involves gundogs?

MG
by crackerd
Thu Oct 29, 2015 9:32 am
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Which lab belongs to who?
Replies: 30
Views: 12234

Re: Which lab belongs to who?

Looks like most of you folks in your bullheadedness are missing the point polmaise is trying to make. I doubt that the pictures he posted have American Trial Labs in their pedigree :) On the money, Scott - Robt.'s put a few in the US but they aren't coming across carrying North American performance...
by crackerd
Tue Oct 27, 2015 5:06 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

...think back on your retriever training. I personally do not think that All- Age Retrievers actually see a dead duck thrown by a bird boy some 400 yards away, they are conditioned to go deep. Genetically speaking the dogs that cannot be conditioned to go deep do not fare well in trials. "Go long o...
by crackerd
Mon Oct 26, 2015 9:41 am
Forum: Training
Topic: tug o war
Replies: 176
Views: 116633

Re: tug o war

Show people play "tuggy" - fact - for "straightening their dog's detention (i.e., teeth and bite)."

Otherwise, why would you? "Bonding?" Bonding over hard-mouth to come, more like it...

MG
by crackerd
Sat Oct 24, 2015 10:40 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Bill, to clarify across the pond and the language chasm, by "no blinds in spaniel trials" I was conveying that blind retrieves on land and water are not formally required in spaniel trials as in retriever trials - in which a land blind followed by a water blind constitute two of the four "series" a ...
by crackerd
Sat Oct 24, 2015 4:44 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Even in the AA retriever world it is said that if you are tempted to give and "Over" Command, you are really saying "Over and back to the truck" your done. Aye on! on that, gundogguy - means you've let the dog get "loose" on the line to a blind retrieve, and giving the "Over!" command confirms that...
by crackerd
Fri Oct 23, 2015 7:08 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Robert you just could not wait to jab at at ol' Crackerd!! :D International cross pond 'Banter' :lol: of which I'm more than confident my learned' friend is comfortable with :wink: So long as no dirks are involved - well, maybe rubber dirks - indeed I'm mighty comfortable with the jabs. After all I...
by crackerd
Thu Oct 22, 2015 3:14 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

You may already know 'Flint' that spaniels are often used in our Retriever Trials to find the game for those sleepy dogs at heel 'Crackerd' :lol: Hah! As I told you about the "One spaniel, one retriever, one shooter" mantra for the late, great Polmaise Cup, not only would you need just one dog if i...
by crackerd
Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:20 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Good possibly productive and certainly stimulating dialog on spaniel trialing. gundogguy's precis on AKC involvement - and gentle admonition of why Canada holds A/V trials - both spot on My only qualm, coming from a retriever perspective, is that they allow mighty big blind stakes in them Scottish t...
by crackerd
Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:39 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Anyone else on here going to be at the US Cocker Nationals next week? I have two dogs entered. Jordan, I may swing by for a day, grounds are not far from home. Always enjoy seeing who has it going on with FB Cockers . gundogguy, much crossover in the ranks with ESS and fbcocker handlers? - Say pros...
by crackerd
Thu Oct 08, 2015 10:06 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Bluetick/Wirehair Pointer Mix
Replies: 10
Views: 5756

Re: Bluetick/Wirehair Pointer Mix

Sounds like you got a "home-made" version if in appearance only of this beast, le Griffon Nivernais https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFu8wo2LpFc also known as France's pig sticker-to ("sur sanglier") extraordinaire.

MG
by crackerd
Wed Oct 07, 2015 9:52 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Running and barking at strangers?
Replies: 19
Views: 10090

Re: Running and barking at strangers?

We have an 8 month old, spayed GSP and we're having the issue of her running barking at people but, only sometimes . Take a step back and read that sentence again?... Get a basenji, then you'll have the issue of her running at people, but, only sometimes but never barking at them... If you're not t...
by crackerd
Thu Oct 01, 2015 10:40 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Behavoir Change During Force Fetch
Replies: 8
Views: 3354

Re: Behavoir Change During Force Fetch

...last night as we are watching tv on the couch she casually walks over and starts trying to hump me. My intel is that's why the Brits don't practice force fetch - let's just leave it at that :wink: Nah, just kidding there, but I don't think it was necessarily dominance related but hormonal - you ...
by crackerd
Sat Sep 19, 2015 9:06 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Shaking Dokken Dummy
Replies: 33
Views: 9481

Re: Shaking Dokken Dummy

What I know is certainly wrong is deciding the matter without input from the trainer. You mean the trainer who got the dog for 10 weeks after it already was doing the death shake of the Dokken and then gave the dog back still shaking it upon return to the OP? Yeah, I'd want the trainer's input - li...
by crackerd
Thu Sep 17, 2015 5:03 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Shaking Dokken Dummy
Replies: 33
Views: 9481

Re: Shaking Dokken Dummy

A one-day fix. But if you're nicking the dog while it's got something in its mouth, you're liable soon to have an unfixable situation on your hands. Listen to gonehuntin' - he's got a helluva lot better handle on retrievers as a retired pro than many of the "working" pros of the present. Especially ...
by crackerd
Wed Sep 16, 2015 6:21 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

We had a great few weeks in Washington at a 4 day hunt test followed the next weekend by my first entry into a cocker spaniel field trial. Learned so much from all the amazing cocker folks and me and my dog got the opportunity to run in the most amazing cover we have ever seen. Bridget was able to ...
by crackerd
Tue Sep 15, 2015 1:11 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: Lab Line training cold blinds
Replies: 12
Views: 5261

Re: Lab Line training cold blinds

I have a 2 year old Golden who earned her SH this year. She is a super hard driving girl! Last year I took her waterfowl hunting with me 3-4 times. I did not take my gun, I worked with her, first we were away from the blind where our shooters were, and I slowly worked her in until she was in the bl...
by crackerd
Fri Sep 11, 2015 7:02 am
Forum: Training
Topic: The Spaniel Spot
Replies: 1740
Views: 840078

Re: The Spaniel Spot

Congratulations Nick! 42 years married here. Highly recommend it. :) But Sharon, the big question for Our Cass is, Will this be a shotgun wedding, or a Retriev-R dummy launcher wedding as based on my "prenuptial" present to him a couple years back? Meaning is Nick "launching" down the aisle of his ...