Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Retriever Club and Training Materials

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Posts
    2,938

    Default Retriever Club and Training Materials

    It has been awhile since I have gotten the privilege of training a puppy. This next go round would like to do some hunt test. Last go round I read a few books and watched a ton of YouTube videos.

    What is everyone recommended material for reading on training and any clubs around the upstate?
    “Duck hunting gives a man a chance to see the loneliest places …blinds washed by a rolling surf, blue and gold autumn marshes, …a rice field in the rain, flooded pin-oak forests or any remote river delta. In duck hunting the scene is as important as the shooting.” ~ Erwin Bauer, The Duck Hunter’s Bible, 1965

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    1,333

    Default

    Evan Graham's Smartworks system is solid. Available in DVD's and hardback. I preferred the hardback when starting out because you can take it anywhere and it had space in the book to take notes. I believe it can be purchased at gun dog supply. There is tons of material out there these days.

    Cherokee Foothills HRC is a club in the upstate that puts on great events. Good people.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Posts
    1,543

    Default

    Pick one program and stick to it only. Best piece of advice I’ve been given. Total Retriever Training by Mike Lardy is good too.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    In my own little world
    Posts
    21,468

    Default

    Evan Williams is good but too damn technical. Mike Lardy would be my choice or Freddie King..
    RIP Kelsey "Bigdawg" Cromer
    12-26-98 12-1-13

    If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.

    Missing you my great friend.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Banks of the Wateree
    Posts
    44,218

    Default

    Richard Wolters... I find the trial folks are either cool, but there are a bunch of premadonnas.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Posts
    1,543

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Highstrung View Post
    Richard Wolters... I find the trial folks are either cool, but there are a bunch of premadonnas.
    Watch out people will tell you he’s “outdated” now. I don’t understand that one.

    I do agree with you. I trained my older one with a conglomerate of methods and she turned into a fine meat dog and family dog. My younger one I followed/am following a program because I wanted to do the whole ribbon chasing thing for the sole purpose of putting a finished title on her for breeding purposes. I will say she learns faster and is more consistent. But she turned into kind of a robot. And a little bit nutty because of all the repetition. I ask myself all the time which one I like better in the field and always end up with the older one. She just can read me better and has a more intuitive personality.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    51,858

    Default

    i train on the job.

    by age 10, she's gonna be superb.
    Ugh. Stupid people piss me off.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Posts
    2,938

    Default

    Thanks fellas. Yeah last go round I read a book someone let me borrow by Bill Hillman I think it was and I would say my GSP has been a dang good dog just getting old! Been awhile since I have started from puppy so wanted to get a few to read again.
    “Duck hunting gives a man a chance to see the loneliest places …blinds washed by a rolling surf, blue and gold autumn marshes, …a rice field in the rain, flooded pin-oak forests or any remote river delta. In duck hunting the scene is as important as the shooting.” ~ Erwin Bauer, The Duck Hunter’s Bible, 1965

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    A bigger hill above a smaller creek
    Posts
    13,503

    Default

    a trained dog is overrated
    just wing it
    A Nation of Sheep Breeds a Government of Wolves!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Columbia, SC
    Posts
    3,890

    Default

    Smartworks!!!
    "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went."
    Will Rogers

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    660

    Default

    The best thing to do is find someone good to train with at least on a semi regular basis. Either a successful amateur group or a successful pro that lets people day train. There's no substitute for experience, and seeing things first hand. Dogs don't always follow the script.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Spartanburg
    Posts
    6,596

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •