I know I am going to catch it from some for this, but if you dont have time to train it, are you going to have time to reinforce the training? One of my favorite quotes is from UCLA coach John Wooden "If you dont have time to do it right, when are you going to have time to do it again?"

Not saying this is you because you are getting opinions and making decisions based on what you can gather but to many people want "instant" dog. They dont give themselves honest answers to questions such as Do I have the time? Do I have the patience? do I have the money for proper care? and never admitt that the real reason they want a dog is because it looks cool. In the end they wind up with an unstable dog that makes the owner and itself unhappy. When a horse wins the Kentucky Derby ever notice that the trainer gets the glory. Its because he did the work. The owner just had the money. I'm not trying to put down training schools because I do understand the need for them, but personally I dont want to own someone elses work.

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Posted by KJS

Right here

Member since Oct 2010

253 posts

Posted on 2/4/11 at 10:21 am to 4nmylifetime

Very true, its a work in progress. It sad to see folks pay thousands for a fine finished retriever, then let the training slide. But, that's what pros call job security. I've had several dogs picked up the week before duck season, and dropped off the week after.
Choupique you are exactly right. My dog picked up several ducks and geese this year well over 300 yards away. Most would've gotten away lame if it werent for the dog. I swear if he could shoot a gun and drive a truck, he wouldn't need me for spit. I feel like he thinks that when I miss.

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Posted by JasonL79

Member since Jan 2010

6398 posts

Posted on 2/5/11 at 6:15 am to 4nmylifetime

quote:
quote:

ETA: I really won't have time to train her myself because I will be studying for the bar.

Thanks.

I know I am going to catch it from some for this, but if you dont have time to train it, are you going to have time to reinforce the training? One of my favorite quotes is from UCLA coach John Wooden "If you dont have time to do it right, when are you going to have time to do it again?"

I would love to be able to train my dog but I leave for work before daylight and usually come home after dark or right before dark. It's not a whole lot of time to train and training in the dark is not feasible to me. I reinforce the training and try to visit the trainer and train with him as much as I can.

With my past dogs, once they were trained they usually didn't forget. I just needed to reinforce things every time I trained with them or if I didn't train them for a month or so, they would just need a little brushing up. I know with my last dog, he never forgot. I never hunted him his last 2 years of his life because of arthritis and eventually bone cancer and he still rembered hand signals and commands after 6 months to a year of not doing it.

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Posted by Vol Fan in the Bayou

Member since Nov 2009

4158 posts

Posted on 2/5/11 at 9:26 am to 4nmylifetime

quote:
I know I am going to catch it from some for this, but if you dont have time to train it, are you going to have time to reinforce the training?

This is a good point. What I have found though is that the reinforcement is a lot easier than the initial training.

For me, I know I give my lab a break after hunting season. When it starts to warm up, usually around the first of March, I start working with my dog again. We usually spend 20 minutes 5 days a week working. Then, toward the end of summer I send him for "spring training" with my trainer in Lecompte to really get him ready.

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