Training DVD

hoffmann35 · Post by **hoffmann35** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:15 pm

Perfect Start or George Hickox 4 volume set for pointing dogs? I know a lot of people here like the Perfection Kennels series, but it will be hard to dish out 100+ dollars for it. I know Hickox carries a good reputation and the price is right, but I would like to here some pro's and con's on both.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 5:04 pm

All depends on what method you like more. If you like the way that hickox trains dogs then buy his videos.

You may be able to find a buddy and split the cost of the training tapes or find them used.

hoffmann35 · Post by **hoffmann35** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 5:20 pm

I guess I didnt think of the methods of training. Anyone know the differences?

ohiogsp · Post by **ohiogsp** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:41 pm

George hickox method is lots of training. There is steps to his training and it does work and it will take a long time. If you follow this to the tee and do everything you would have a very nicely trained dog. These are great videos even if you don't use his method because there is tons of info and lots of tips on ways to do stuff. I have not seen the other videos.

steingre · Post by **steingre** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:07 pm

Both are good, but...I'm not a fan of the "whoa board" concept. Not that it doesn't work, but it just seems too un-natural for my taste. The Perfect Start doesn't use as much of a "place" concept; more of a "bird contact" concept.

As mentioned before, even experienced dog folks will usually find something from a video/DVD that they can use or modify for their use.

nitrex · Post by **nitrex** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:26 pm

I have the Hickox videos and I think they are great. I also attended one of his 5 day schools 2 years ago and that helped me understand his method even more. The videos are easy to understand, I think my biggest apprehesion was personal confidence in training my own dog. I think that is where the school helped out. Also, these videos and the school have made my expectations of a gundog much higher than I ever imagined.

As to the comment about his method taking alot of time, I'm not sure what that means. I think you get hugh returns for any amount of time you spend training your dog with good methods. I felt like Hickox made the process very simple and actually I was surprised by how little time I have had to spend training. I think that is the strong point of his method. The dog is able to learn quickly because the training is straight forward and not complicated. There are benchmarks that tell you when you are ready to move the dog to the next level of training.

I can't speak for the other methods you asked about since I haven't spent much time learning them. I'm sure they work well, but the Hickox method has made me successful in training my GSP to be a top notch gundog. She is hunting at a SH or MH level even though we just finished her JH title this Spring.

I would encourage you to decide on one method and use it through to completion. Until a trainer has gain alot of experience, I don't see how they can have the expertise to "customize" a training program with a little of this and a little of that.

Good Luck,

Nitrex

hoffmann35 · Post by **hoffmann35** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:10 pm

thanks a bunch everyone

Post by **kninebirddog** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 10:16 pm

Have a guy who comes out here and trains with us...he has the perfect start and finsh series...he had a hard time sitting through the first dvd...I have borrowed them from him...Just to see what they offer in thier DVD Not that the first tape shows any thing wrong...it is a method I found it very hard to sit through about 20 minutes and it lost my attention.....But am still planning to watch all of it...
Hickox I am told is a bit better on the explaintion part

I hope Rick Smith will break down and film one of his foundations...I think that would be an awesome tape.as he is very intersting to listen to and has a great way to keeping your attention ...

ranger1760 · Post by **ranger1760** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:17 am

I have both sets of Videos from Perfection Kennels Perfect Start and Perfect finish and the Geo Hickox series as well. Sure that a few $$ in DVDs but since Blockbusters doesn't have them on the shelves..what can you do! Beside Perfection has a 100% money Back Guarantee with in 10 days..so what do you have to loose?

Id suggest reading Delmar Smiths book and getting the Perfect Start DVD and take it from there. But nothing beats the help of a professional bird dog trainer to help you get the dog off on the right foot! Do your home work and give the dog every advantage that you can to help him be the best dog he can be! Its Cheaper to start him off right than to fix him later!