Wichita Retriever Training ExaminerKen McNutt

While it is possible to train a field retriever by yourself, it is much easier and more efficient to train with the help of someone who can throw training marks or plant blinds.  A training group, when utilized properly, is an excellent way to train.  

A training group can consist of two or more persons.  If you want to form a group, keep in mind the time it takes to train each dog.  Too many group members can result in a limited amount of time that can be spent with each dog.  It can also increase the potential for conflicts over goals and training methods to be used.  If you are like many dog owners who work a day job and have only a few hours in the evening to train,  it is better to keep the group small, in order to make sure every dog gets enough attention.  Up to six dogs is about the maximum, in this situation.  Larger groups are more viable for those who have free weekends to train.

To be most successful, your group should include, if possible, at least one member who has significant experience in training and handling retrievers.  This person should not be just a long-time dog owner.  He or she should be someone who currently or has previously owned dog(s) which demonstrate the kind of performance you desire to see in your own dog.   Most commonly, this level of handler has frequently participated in hunting tests and/or field trials.  Another good resource can be a professional retriever trainer.  If you can locate one near your area, you may be able to get free or reduced rate training help in exchange for throwing birds for his clients’ dogs.  The best way to find help with your dog training is to join a retriever club, if you have one within convenient driving distance.  Most of these clubs put on one or two licensed hunting tests and/or field trials annually, so there is likely to be a lot of accumulated knowledge, plus plenty of people wanting to train.

So, now you have your group.  What comes next?  The first thing you should do is to decide what your goals for the training session are going to be. If you were to take your dog to a professional trainer to learn obedience, there would be a specific lesson plan.  Your plan doesn’t have to be that specific, but there should be a consensus on what everyone wants to work on, whether it is manners at the line or a specific concept of a mark or blind retrieve.  Too many so-called training groups continually set up difficult marks or blinds, just to see if their dog can do them.  Often, they may not have even tried to teach the dog how to cope with the individual factors (wind, terrain changes, natural barriers, the dog’s natural tendencies, etc.) that can be found in a single set-up.  It can be equated to trying to force a second-grader to solve a trigonometry problem.  If he has not been taught the individual steps in solving the problem, how can he be expected to do it.  One of the primary rules of successful training, of any kind, is that you make the pupil successful, whenever possible.  Success reinforces desired behavior and builds confidence which, in turn, enhances the desire to learn and perform.  You don’t set up for failure, then try to correct.  That’s not fun for you, or the dog.

Finally, keep in mind that you are trying to teach something to each dog within the group.  Try not to start something that can’t be fully addressed within the amount of time you have.  If a more complex goal is to be worked on, it should be agreed upon by the group, that each dog will be afforded the necessary time to work through any issue that may arise, even if it means others may have to wait until the next session for their turn.  Again, the primary goal is to make each dog successful.

In the next article, we’ll continue to look at training in a group.