Frequently
Asked Questions
Series No. 1
by Mike Tome
What is the
difference between Hunt Tests and Field Trails? The
most basic difference are that Field Trials are competitive,
with judges having to pick dogs that place first, second,
etc., and Hunt Tests are noncompetitive, with the dog’s
training and ability being compared to a standard. The
standard defines the qualities that should be demonstrated
by retrievers at a variety of levels
of experience.
Because Field Trials are competitive
and only one dog can win, they tend to have retrieves
that are more difficult and require a higher degree
of precision in retrieving a mark or running a blind.
Our retrievers are so highly trainable, and so highly
trained nowadays that long distances and precise handling
are a prerequisite for allowing judges to separate out
the placements in a Field Trial.
In hunt tests, dogs qualify according
to whether they meet a standard established for various
levels. Thus, in any given test, all dogs entered may
qualify, no dogs may qualify, or most typically, some
number in between the two. Hunt tests are supposed to
mimic true hunting scenarios. Consequently, you will
not see marks or blinds much over 100 yards in typical
hunt tests.
What
is a good book to buy to train my retriever?
While by no measure a complete
list, here are several books that beginning trainers
might find useful: Water
Dog, by Richard A. Wolters
Game Dog, by Richard A. Wolters
Retriever Training for the Duck Hunter, by Robert
Milner
Tri-Tronics Retriever Training, by Jim and Phyllis
Dobbs
Training Retrievers to Handle, by D. L. and Ann
Walters
You can order these books at your
local bookstore, or through hunting dog magazines such
as Gundog and The Retriever Journal.
Beginning trainers really should
read several books and choose a method that seems most
appropriate for the dog, trainer and
the situation at hand. Many times experienced trainers
will use a technique from one book for one situation
and a different technique from a totally different author
for another situation. Pick techniques that you are
comfortable with. It is also a good
idea to join a local retriever club and seek advice
from more experienced trainers.
If
retrievers love to retrieve, why should I force fetch
my retriever?
The Force Fetch (Conditioned Retrieve) is not so much
about training what most retrievers love to do (retrieve!)
as it is teaching
the dog control, discipline, and that the retrieve is
something you do whenever the boss asks, whether its
fun or not. It doesn’t matter if you are training
a dog for hunting, hunt tests, or field trials, there
will likely come a time that you want your dog to retrieve
a bird under difficult circumstances. The conditioned
retrieve teaches a dog that it not only must retrieve
when it is fun and it wants to, but the dog must also
retrieve whenever the boss wants it to, even if it doesn’t
look like it will be too much fun. The conditioned retrieve,
when done properly, gives you this control over your
dog. Many trainers also believe that the conditioned
retrieve process also forms a basis for other training
steps that you will use in developing your dog into
a full fledged hunting retriever. As with any technique,
you should consult with books and experienced trainers
if you should decide to conduct the conditioned retrieve
training on your own. You must understand perfectly
what it is you want to accomplish with each step of
the training.
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