Your Training Weakness

[Chukar12]

Some time ago I posted a thread that inquired about what dog training had "taught you." It gave me some insight when i answered the question myself and saw the responses of a number of others. I have a similar question if you are inclined to share: What do you feel is your biggest weakness as a trainer? Personally, the weaknesses I recognize in myself as a trainer have changed through the years. I was initially impatient, and heavy handed, inclined to emulate training methods I had learned in my youth with the hound guys.

Today, my greatest frustration comes in developing ground pattern. Specifically at a distance. I am comfortable signaling a dog close and get the response I expect, and I get a lot of repetitions doing this on tighter grounds where I train near home. What I believe I need is more work on bigger ground from horseback and atv to develop my confidence, timing and system to keep a dog on the edge. I do acquiesce that the dog needs to want to be there in the first place...but I feel a greater commitment to the process on my part can enhance the behavior.

[DogNewbie]

Obedience training I get frustrated easily, especially in scenarios where I get blown off due to distractions. Car rides with the pup are pretty stressful. Anytime we are driving under 40mph he's pacing in the back seat whining and getting anxious. I tell him down and he lays down for seconds before he up again. Of course then I'm trying to drive and correct his behavior at the same time :roll: Ecollar in the car has helped. I need a truck and a dog box In the field, the pup rarely gets on my nerves. Most my issues are me reading the pup wrong or poor communication between me and the training partner.

[Winchey]

My stupid pigeons keep flying off on me.

[Sharon]

I think we are all ready for the trial , then something happens in the trial that we didn't train for. I need to think "out of the box" more.

[vartz04]

Lack of time and the funds for lots of training birds.

[Gertie]

Lack of experience "reading the dog" and predicting actions based on behavior the dog is showing. This is a skill that I am really hoping to develop some day.

[ACooper]

[quote="Sharon"]I need to think "out of the box" more.[/quote

+1

[bb560m]

I think we are all ready for the trial , then something happens in the trial that we didn't train for. I need to think "out of the box" more.

I like to get them on wild birds as much as possible. Not even shooting most of the time with multiple dogs out. Almost everything imaginable happens, STF, honors, bumping, attempts to chase, etc. If they can be solid in those situations they've usually seen it all.

[Chukar12]

I think we are all ready for the trial , then something happens in the trial that we didn't train for. I need to think "out of the box" more.

I like to get them on wild birds as much as possible. Not even shooting most of the time with multiple dogs out. Almost everything imaginable happens, STF, honors, bumping, attempts to chase, etc. If they can be solid in those situations they've usually seen it all.

...not unless your wild bird hunting partner and you are on horse back with 2 or 3 judges in tow, a gallery marshal, reporter and a gallery of whatever the number may be. In addition, you may have a handler beside you extremely vocal, vociferous with a whistle, etc... for all the similarities, competitions pose some different challenges than a hunt, and in many ways the scenarios are really hard to recreate.

[bb560m]

I think we are all ready for the trial , then something happens in the trial that we didn't train for. I need to think "out of the box" more.

I like to get them on wild birds as much as possible. Not even shooting most of the time with multiple dogs out. Almost everything imaginable happens, STF, honors, bumping, attempts to chase, etc. If they can be solid in those situations they've usually seen it all.

...not unless your wild bird hunting partner and you are on horse back with 2 or 3 judges in tow, a gallery marshal, reporter and a gallery of whatever the number may be. In addition, you may have a handler beside you extremely vocal, vociferous with a whistle, etc... for all the similarities, competitions pose some different challenges than a hunt, and in many ways the scenarios are really hard to recreate.

We go out with a lot of people who all handle differently and have had loud people, quiet, etc. Sometimes 4-5+ on horse.

[cjuve]

I think that the biggest issue that I have is probably not trusting my gut, to often I second guess myself just long enough to throw the timing off. I am sure that I could get a lot more done if I were to react a little faster with what I know I should do.

[deseeker]

My biggest weakness is force fetching--that's why I always try to pick the pup out of the litter that carries and brings me all their toys :roll:

[jbonesky]

Mine is lack of experience/knowledge.. And also frustration i have to stand back take a breath and remind myself shes a dog and goes off my gestures volume etc. she doesnt speak english

[Cajun Casey]

I think mine is mostly....SQUIRREL!

[Trekmoor]

I get bored quickly and easily and tend to skimp when training stays for more than about 30 seconds and I always skimp on heel training unless the dog is a lab. My hunting dogs do what I call "practical heelwork" which means they keep within about 6 feet from me as I walk.
I like to get on with what I call real gundog work just a bit too much.

Bill T.

[EvanG]

GREATEST WEAKNESS: I like it too much! Just ask my wife!

EvanG

[SetterNut]

The thing that I do that causes me the most trouble is when hunting, not enforcing the rules every time.
I like to hunt both my dogs at the same time, take vidoe and pictures, and shoot a bird every now and then. So there are times that stuff happens and I don't always address / correct the issue, like I should. So a broke dog doesn't stay broke, or your pigeon broke dog is now moving after the flush on wild quail.

[Sierra Wirehair]

I have a question:I haven't trainind a dog for about 12 years. I waited till our dogs got 12 years old(not on purpose) and got a new pup out of the Cascade kennel(GWP). I bought the NAVDHA Green Book and the DVD. I was wondering since it was created in 1984 if Winterhelt's training methods are still the best practices? Is the trainig table a good idea? I like the progression and how the training works off of the Whoa command. Any thoughts here? Sorry if I pirated the thread.

Mic

[DonF]

I don't train enough anymore. And I let the dogs get away with little indiscretions I wouldn't have allowed in the past.

[dan v]

Weakness? Only one?

I, like Joe, struggle with forward pattern. The second weakness; is lack of myself believing that I can handle two dogs in a training session...at the same time.

[ACooper]

So a broke dog doesn't stay broke, or your pigeon broke dog is now moving after the flush on wild quail.

I am dealing with the exact same thing, but not on quail, wild quail we are great, wild pheasants... well some good some bad.

[Munster]

Mine, to be brutally honest is the same with my parenting. Focusing to heavily on the negative and not giving enough praise for the positives. Fortunately there will be other dogs for do overs, unfortunately only one son.

[birddog1968]

Mine used to be and to some extent still is, but I've gotten much better are the sins of the voice.

I've learned to keep my mouth shut more.....

[4dabirds]

Not knowing when to quit when it is good . Not knowing when to quit when it is bad. I have that, just one more, mentality. I have to keep reminding myself to keep the dog hungry for more.

[Munster]

Mine used to be and to some extent still is, but I've gotten much better are the sins of the voice.

I've learned to keep my mouth shut more.....

Ha Ha Ha, I think Walker gives out duct tape when he trains. I learned that one early on. Unfortunately it didnt allow for me to praise either!

[whoadog]

Training dogs is no problem. Dog owners, on the other hand.....

[M1Tanker]

Not knowing when to quit when something goes good and needlessly prolonging the session.

Always feeling the need to "proof" the dog before it is likely ready.

Judging when a youngster is ready for the next step in forward handling. I like to let them run, but their appears to be a fine line when that can turn into a dog running too big or ending up behind you in the woods. I need to know when to really focus on getting them to pay more attention to me without taking out the run too soon.

Keeping the same training system and just taking a step back when things don't go right. I have ended up trying something different which puts you back to square one anyhow.

Not trusting myself.

There's 5 for ya...I am sure I can think of more!

[cole.nelson782]

I have a problem with training at home i have a hard time not getting frustrated when the dog gets distracted because my other dog is in the house going nuts so I have to stop and take him elsewhere.

[Ruffshooter]

Some times I do not step back.
Then the next time I may be a little hesitant to push forward.

The other that used to happen in the begining years ago, was taking things personal.. You know getting POed. if the dog did not get something the way I thought it should.

Now time is my enemy. and loss of my launchers as I work alone.